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    AUTHOR’S POV.

    Trixy had never been taken down by anybody with just one punch, so you can understand why Lucian and the rest of the onlookers in the warehouse were stunned into silence.

    Before anyone could react, Alina was on top of Trixy, beating the shit out of her. She was brutal, her vision blurred red with

    fury.

    Trixy barely managed to block a few punches but couldn’tnd a single one of her own. If no one stopped Alina, she was going to kill Trixy right then and there.

    No one dared to pull Alina off because, not only did they secretly enjoy watching Trixy finally getting the beating she deserved, but many had already noticed Lucian standing in the room. No one in their right mind would darey a hand on

    his woman.

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    Lucian rushed forward, wrapping his arms tightly around Alina’s waist and pulling her off Trixy and flush against his chest.

    “Let go of me!” Alina screamed, wing at his hands, her voice sharp and wild.

    h

    She didn’t realize who was holding her. She was too engulfed by the rage she was feeling to notice, until Lucian spoke.

    “Calm down, doll.” He whispered softly beside her ear, his breath warm against her skin.

    S

    S

    Her body instinctively rxed in his arms for the briefest of moments… before she remembered why all of this started in

    the first ce, because of him.

    “Let go of me, Lucian!” Alina snarled, struggling in his hold. Her furious gaze stayed locked on Trixy, who was groaning and trying to sit up on the ground.

    “You have to calm down, dollface.” Lucian said again, his voice low, trying to reason with her. But Alina wasn’t having any

    of it.

    “Why? Scared I’ll beat your lover into aa?” She said tly, venom in her tone.

    Lucian exhaled heavily. He knew Alina wasn’t going to let him live this down. For now, though, he had to find a way to pacify her anger.

    “I couldn’t care less what happens to her, doll.” Lucian said coolly, not even sparing Trixy a nce. “It’s you I’m worried

    about.”

    “You don’t have to worry about me, I’m fine.” Alina snapped. “You should be worried about your girlfriend though, because you’ll be paying for a face reconstruction when I’m done with her.” She added with a growl.

    Alina managed to tear free from Lucian’s grip and charged toward Trixy again. Thankfully, Lucian was fast, he caught her around the waist just in time.

    “What are you morons standing there for?!” Lucian barked, ring at the bystanders. “Somebody should fucking get her out of here.” He gestured sharply at Trixy.

    They immediately sprang into action, hurrying toward the badly beaten woman on the floor.

    “Let’s go home.” Lucian spoke softly to Alina, his voice was low but firm.

    “Don’t speak to me like I’m a child. I’m not going anywhere with you.” Alina snapped, wrenching free and turning to face

    him.

    “You have to calm down, Doll. We have to talk, and this is hardly the ce for it.” Lucian tried again, struggling to keep his

    tone even.

    “I honestly don’t care about whatever you want to say. And unless your lover was lying, then I’m pretty sure I’m up to par on everything that’s going on.” She said coldly.

    Lucian had to admit, Alina was pretty hot when she was mad. She was jealous, that part was very clear, and part of him was secretly pleased by that. It meant she cared, why else would she be this upset?

    Surely it wasn’t just because of Trixy’s words…

    But no matter how d he felt, there were things he needed to address, but certainly not in front of an audience.

    “You know, it’s hypocritical of you to nag me about Adrian when you’ve got a little lover yourself,” Alina said, her voiceced with hurt. Then she cleared her throat. “I wish you’d informed me that what we have is an open rtionship,then I

    would’ve hooked up with Knox by now.”

    Lucian had her pinned to the wall in seconds.

    “Who the fuck is Knox?” Lucian growled, voice low and dangerous as he caged her with his body.

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    Alina wasn’t even sure why she’d mentioned Knox name. He wasn’t her type, she’d only said it to spite Lucian. And judging

    by his expression, it was working.

    Talia, watching from a distance, stared at her best friend in horror.

    Was Alina trying to get her cousin killed? Talia was thankful Knox wasn’t in town, otherwise Lucian would tear the city apart looking for him.

    “Knox is none of your damn business.” Alina said with a smug smirk, enjoying how agitated Lucian looked. “You don’t see me asking you who Trixy is, do you?” She folded her arms defiantly.

    “That’s because she is nobody!” Lucian yelled. Then his voice softened as he tried to reach her. “Let’s just go home, baby. I’ll exin everything to you.”

    “For the love of God, would you quit being so fucking stubborn and just listen for once-” Ace started, stepping forward.

    “Back off, Ace.” Lucian cut him off with a warning growl.

    “But, boss–” Ace tried again, only to back off when Lucian’s re darkened.

    Ace was worried. Lucian’s mood was teetering, unstable, and if Alina pushed him any further, he might lose it. And if that happened…someone would get badly hurt. Ace feared it would be Alina, and if Lucian hurt her, even unintentionally, he would never forgive himself.

    That was what Ace wanted to prevent.

    “If you don’t tell me who Knox is, I swear to God I will search through every Knox in the whole damn country until I find him.” Lucian warned her darkly.

    “Do as you please.” Alina shrugged, feigning indifference.

    She knew Knox was still at the Marine base, Lucian wasn’t going to find him any time soon.

    Talia wished her best friend would just shut up and stop provoking the beast. Alina had every right to be upset, yes, but

    pushing Lucian any further would only make things worse.

    There was a reason she was terrified of Lucian, Talia had seen Lucian lose control before, and it wasn’t pretty. When he snapped, he didn’t look human, he looked like a wild, crazed animal. And Talia was terrified that Alina might get hurt if it

    came to that.

    “Jordan, get the car. You and Ace will take Miss Hart back home,” Lucian ordered, not taking his eyes off Alina. “You can

    leave the car behind, Ace.” He added.

    “On it, boss.” Jordan responded immediately, hurrying away.

    Ace lingered, shooting Lucian a concerned nce, but Lucian gave him a small, reassuring nod. Ace nodded back, then

    turned toward Talia, who was already ring at him with clear distaste.

    A smirk tugged at Ace’s lips.

    “Let’s go, firecracker.” He said, cing a hand lightly on her lower back to guide her out.

    “Don’t call me that.” Talia snapped, ring at him. “What about my friend?” Her voice softened as she nced back

    toward Alina in concern.

    C

    “Madame will be fine. The boss would rather lose an arm than hurt her.” Ace assured gently. Then, with a teasing glint, he added, “How about we stop thinking about them and talk about us?”

    “In your dreams.” Talia scoffed, quickening her pace.

    “Trust me… talking isn’t what we do in my dreams, sweet cheeks.” Ace said with a seductive grin, drawing a few whistles

    from the onlookers.

    Talia’s cheeks flushed bright red.

    “Fuck off.” She snapped, ignoring his chuckle as he followed.

    Lucian waited until the others had cleared out before turning back to Alina.

    “Are you ready to go now?” He asked, voice low.

    “I want to leave with Talia.” Alina said stubbornly, crossing her arms again.

    Lucian inhaled deeply, trying to calm the heat in his blood.

    “You don’t know how fucking sexy you look when you’re angry,” he growled, voice husky, leaning close. “And seeing you like this makes me hot with need. Now, unless you want me to fuck you against this wall for everyone to see…” he whispered darkly against her ear, “…then I suggest you stop being stubborn ande with me.”

    Alina’s eyes widened, her mouth falling open in shock.

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