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43 Laying The Rules
Mara
Lucian was up early the next morning. His movement stirred me awake, and I blinked at the clock on the side
table. Seven a.m.
“So early?” I grumbled.
He chuckled, pulling on a shirt. “I always go to work this early. You just never cared enough to notice.”
I smiled sleepily. “You’re right.”
He leaned over and kissed my temple. “I’ve told Austin to bring your breakfast and lunch here. You don’t need to go to the dining table without me.”
I perked up at that. “Why?”
“Because I know you’re resuming training with Darian today, and I’d rather not have you facing the full Nighthorn circus before that,” he said, buttoning his cuff. “Once you’re done, meet me at Steel Corp.”
I frowned, sitting up. “Why?”
He gave me a crooked smile. “Because we’re going house-hunting.”
I blinked. “You’re serious?”
“Very.” His tone was firm. “Our marriage won’t grow in this mansion, surrounded by people who want to see us break. We need our own space-our home. Away from Martha. Away from Darian.”
His words settled in my chest like warmth.
“As for Tina,” he continued, “I’ve sent you her number. I’ve blocked her on mine. She’ll be dealing with you now.
I raised an eyebrow. “And how did she take that?”
“Not so well,” Lucian said, irritation flickering in his tone. “But it serves her right for trying to trap me with a
baby.”
That anger-measured and steady-told me everything. He was truly done with Tina. No confusion, no lingering feelings. Just closure.
“Won’t you at least stay for breakfast?” I asked, trying to shift the mood.
He shook his head. “If I linger, I’ll get roped into giving Lacy a ride. And I’ve got things to prep at the office
before stepping in as CEO.”
He fumbled with his tie, and I slid out of bed to help him. As I fixed it, he leaned in, aiming for a kiss. I turned
my head away, grinning.
“Morning breath,” I teased.
But Lucian didn’t care. He held my face in his hands and kissed me anyway-fierce, warm, claiming. I chuckled against his mouth, and he pulled me close, his hand splayed across my back.
“Please come by the office, Mara,” he said softly.
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<43 Laying The Rules
“I will,” I promised.
+8
oints
When he left, the quiet hit fast. The kind of silence that makes a room feel colder. I pushed past it, got ready quickly-training with Darian and Rowan was first on my list. Then, registration for part-time med school. A packed day, but I liked it that way. It gave me control.
While eating breakfast, I decided to call Tina.
She answered on the first ring.
“So he meant it,” she snapped before I could say anything.
The bitterness in her voice was sharp. I didn’t flinch.
“Hello, Tina,” I said calmly.
She didn’t bother replying.
“You know what you’re doing is shitty and cruel,” she spat. “Lucian loves me. You’re just a tool-he’s only with you to make his father happy and secure the company.”
I laughed-soft, honest, unbothered. “If being with me is all it takes for him to own Steel Corp, then so be it,
Tina. Seems like a fair trade.”
She went silent.
She hadn’t expected that. She’d come with venom and got met with steel.
“Now,” I continued, voice cool and clear. “Enough about me. Let’s talk about you.”
“You really are a gold digger,” Tina hissed. “Just like Lucian said.”
I couldn’t help myself-I laughed.
“You should see the size of my excavator, Tina. Shovels are for amateurs.”
She went quiet, and I could practically hear her frustration rising.
“Anything else I need to hear?” I asked, voice crisp.
Silence.
“Good,” I continued, cutting to the point. “I’ll send you my email. I expect a list of everything you’ll need. And be mindful-before Lucian signs anything, we’ll be doing a DNA test. What you’re receiving now is charity, Tina. Until we know that baby’s a Nighthorn.”
“b***h!” she snapped, her voice screeching through the phone. “Lucian has no problem with my child. You’re
just jealous I’m carrying his heir!”
I laughed again-soft and cruel. If only she knew what Lucian really thought.
“These are my terms,” I said, unmoved.
“I bet Alpha Vander will see things differently when he hears I’m pregnant,” she shot back.
I shook my head, amused. “Tina, be smart. We both know no one’s rushing to your rescue. Lucian has moved on, and Alpha Vander isn’t going to make him turn back. If he didn’t step in when Lucian married me, he’s not stepping in now.”
She tried one last swing. “Yet he bought you for him.”
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<43 Laying The Rules
+8 Points >
“Exactly,” I said. “You were with him then… and yet he still chose me. That’s called value, Tina. Something you keep trying to fake.”
She screamed. Actually screamed into the phone.
“You’re a psycho, Mara Thornridge! I hope Lucian sees the evil in you before it’s too late!”
I smiled, calm and collected. “I’ll be expecting the email. And feel free to reach out if you have other reasonable requests. Have a lovely day.”
I hung up.
Her tantrums were honestly entertaining. She was unraveling-and I knew why. Lucian had really cut her off.
And now she had no control, no leverage, and no audience. Just me.
And I was more than happy to handle her.
Not because I liked the fight. But because he was worth it.
I got dressed and headed out, mentally shifting gears for training with Darian. I hoped-prayed-that he’d give
it a rest today. That I wouldn’t have to hear another lecture about why I should leave Lucian, or how
monstrous his big brother was.
Because yes-Lucian was a monster.
My monster.
And I wasn’t going anywhere.
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<44 (Lucian’s POV) Steel Corporation
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