LUCIAN’S POV

    I was in a meeting when Ace rushed in with his iPad.

    “There’s a problem, boss.” He whispered..

    “I’m busy, Ace. Deal with it.” I said, not in the mood.

    Wasn’t he the one who insisted I attend this damn meeting? And now he was interrupting me about some problem.

    “Madame is in the warehouse.” He whispered again.

    “What?!” I yelled, mming my hand on the desk. !--

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    The people in the boardroom shrank back in fear, but I paid them no mind.

    What the hell was she doing at the warehouse?

    snatched the iPad from Ace, eyes locked on the scene ying on the screen.

    She had just walked into the shooting range, and Jordan was helping her gear up.

    “Who notified you of this?” I asked Ace, not looking away from the screen.

    “Jordan did, sir. Apparently, Madame was upset about something and asked to be taken there,” Ace responded. “He alerted me as soon as they got there because he couldn’t inform me earlier, he was driving.”

    “Miss Mendez.” I called.

    “Yes, Mr. ckwood.” My secretary answered from the seat beside me.

    “I want you to finish up here and give me a detailed report by tomorrow.” I told her.

    “Are you leaving, sir?” She asked, standing up.

    Was she blind?

    “When I give you an order, I expect to hear ‘yes, sir’ or ‘no, sir,’ not for you to question my actions.” I threw her a sharp side

    nce.

    “I’m sorry, sir. It’s just that you only just got to the office after weeks of not showing up, and now you’re leaving again.” She

    said in a soft tone.

    What was she,my mother?

    Let her not think I don’t know what her aim is, I notice the way her dressing pattern has changed to more revealing and if she wasn’t so good at her job I would have fired her already.

    I will address thatter though.

    “Last I checked, Miss Mendez, this is mypany. Whether decide to show up or not is none of your goddamn business! And unless you’ve found another job elsewhere, I suggest you shut the fuck up and do your fucking job.” I snapped angrily.

    “I’m so sorry, sit,” She bowed her head in apology.

    Without sparing her another nce, I rushed out of the boardroom.

    I caught a glimpse of Ace shooting Miss Mendez a disapproving look before hurrying after me..

    “Any idea what got Alina so upset in the first ce?” I asked Ace as he drove us toward the warehouse.

    “No clue, boss. Jordan was waiting for Madame and her friend outside the mall, so he has no idea what went on inside. But he said she was really pissed.” Ace responded.

    What could’ve gotten Alina so upset that she’d willingly go to a ce she didn’t even like? I remembered how tense she’d been thest time we were there, and I’d sworn never to bring her again.

    I watched the iPad screen as she shot at the target. Her bodynguage was tense, anger, most likely, but the way she wielded the firearm didn’t look amateur at all.

    I was impressed.

    When the target was brought forward, my dick hardened at the sight,every shot dead-on.

    Damn. That was hot.

    “There’s a problem, boss.” Ace suddenly spoke, making me lift my eyes from the iPad as I subtly adjusted myself in my

    pants.

    I raised a brow at him, waiting.

    “Trixy is back, boss.” He said.

    “The fuck is that crazy bitch doing back here?!” I yelled, whipping my eyes back to the screen, only to see the woman in question standing with Alina.

    This wasn’t going to end well.

    “I don’t know, boss. I was only just informed about it now.” He replied.

    Trixy was trouble. She was one of my best fighters and informants, and my former fling. Not one of my proudest moments. But back then, before the engagement with Alina, I’d used her to vent my frustration… mostly caused by Alina.

    It’s not an excuse but in my defense, I thought Alina and Adrian were already being intimate with each other. But a few weeks before the engagement happened, I’d ended things with Trixy. And because it would’ve been unfair to fire her, I sent her away instead.

    She had no business being back here. Trixy was territorial. I’d heard stories about her threatening other women at the warehouse to stay away from me.

    Back then, I’d let her have her way, hell, I liked that the other women avoided me like the gue when I was there. As long

    as she didn’t interfere with business, I let her be.

    Clearly, that had been a mistake.

    My hands balled into fists when I heard the things she was saying to Alina.

    The others may not have noticed, but I caught every shift in Alina’s bodynguage.

    She was pissed, oh, she was pissed. I knew it wouldn’t be long before fists started flying.

    “How long until we get there?” I asked Ace, impatience creeping into my voice.

    “Five minutes, sir.” He responded, voice tight.

    “Step on it.” I told him.

    I was worried about Alina. Trixy was a brutal fighter, and I knew damn well she wouldn’t hesitate to hurt Alina if it came to

    that.

    I would fucking kill her if she so much asid a hand on Alina.

    At the same time, I couldn’t help but be proud, and a little amused, watching how Alina handled the situation. She was spitting out pure venom in every word she spoke.

    d to see she wasn’t so easily bullied anymore.

    Ace parked in front of the warehouse, and I wasted no time rushing out, tossing the iPad onto the car seat.

    The moment I stepped inside, the tension was thick in the air. Half the people weren’t in their usual spots. I didn’t need to guess where they were.

    I could hear their voices.

    “Or else what?” That was Alina. “Listen here, you rat. I’ve had about enough of you. Just because Lucian used you to wet his cock a few times…” she paused, then added, “which I’m certain he used a condom, so it isn’t much of wetting if you ask me…” an afterthought, delivered with icy calm. “But just because of that, you think that gives you the right to speak to me however you like? Don’t for a second be fooled by my cute kitten appearance, because I have ws, baby girl. Sharp ones. And I’m not afraid to use them. You’re nothing but an employee of Lucian. And while I me him for mixing business with pleasure, men will be men, but know your fucking ce.”

    She finished just as I arrived. Damn. Her words were brutal.

    Who the hell was this woman? This wasn’t the Alina I used to know.

    None of them seemed to have noticed me yet.

    The room had fallen deathly quiet. People stared at her with awe and newfound respect.

    It wasn’t a secret that they were all tired of Trixy’s shit, and that was my fault for letting it go on too long.

    “Let’s go, Jordan. I’m done here.” Alina turned to Jordan.

    I let out a quiet sigh of relief. d that a physical fight has been avoided.

    But that damn bitch, Trixy, couldn’t keep her mouth shut.

    “I bet Lucian didn’t tell you where he was the morning after your engagement. Well, news sh, honey, he was here with olli And I must say /li/ol

    What the fuck was she trying to do?! Yeah, I’d been here, but not to see her. I’de to deal with Ro.

    I shot her a re, but before I could move, Alina’s fist was already flying through the air,nding square on Trixy’s jaw and

    sending her straight to the ground.

    Ace had juste to stand beside me at that moment, and his expression mirrored mine.

    “What the fuck.” He said in utter disbelief.

    ‘What the fuck,’ was right.