Chapter 18:The Warning 

When Lucas returned home, he went straight to his room, the note from Mrs. Bennet still clutched tightly in his hand. After a moment of suspense, he tossed the note onto his desk, his excitement momentarily focused elsewhere.

The thrill he felt from his visit to Dimitri's house was more than just curiosity about the note. It was the sight of Dimitri's broken, vulnerable state that truly exhilarated him. The way Dimitri's injuries had revealed his fragility, the fear and fascination in his eyes, it all fed Lucas's dark desires and heightened his arousal. 

Lucas's breath quickened as he recalled the scene—Dimitri's bruised and cut body, the power he held over him. The intense thrill of dominance was far more stimulating than any note could be. His arousal pressed insistently against his pants, a physical manifestation of the satisfaction he derived from Dimitri's suffering.

Desperate suppress his overwhelming excitement, Lucas decided to take a cold shower. He stepped into the bathroom, the sound of running water barely audible over his heavy breathing. The icy spray against his skin was harsh and shocking, a stark contrast to the heat of his earlier emotions.

He focused on the cold water, letting it numb his senses and wash away the lingering arousal. Lucas didn't think about Kane, his current lover, who was oblivious to the turmoil brewing inside him. For now, the shower was his refuge, a way to distance himself from the intense pleasure derived from his dark fascination with Dimitri. The cold water didn't just cool his body; it helped to rein in the chaotic thoughts and feelings that had taken over him.

Lucas stood under the relentless cold spray of the shower, trying to shake off the lingering effects of his encounter with Dimitri. The chill of the water cut through the heat of his arousal, providing a harsh contrast to the intensity of his emotions. As the cold droplets pelted his skin, he allowed himself to focus on the sensation of the water, trying to reassert control over his chaotic thoughts and feelings.

His mind replayed the scene from Dimitri's house—the broken, vulnerable boy lying on the couch, the thrill of power he felt as he inspected Dimitri's injuries. It wasn't the note from Mrs. Bennet that stirred him most, but the dark satisfaction of seeing Dimitri in such a compromised state. The image of Dimitri's fear and pain was what truly fueled his excitement, pushing him to the edge.

Despite the cold water, Lucas's pulse still raced with a twisted thrill. The intense arousal he felt earlier had been partially subdued, but the thrill of domination and control remained at the forefront of his mind. 

Once Lucas finally emerged , feeling somewhat more composed, he wrapped a towel around himself and approached the note on his desk. The water dripped from his hair, leaving wet spots on the paper as he picked it up.

He unfolded the note, expecting a bland message from Mrs. Bennet, perhaps something about staying out of trouble or returning some borrowed item. But as he began to read, his eyes narrowed.

"Lucas,

I'm writing this as a warning, for your own good. Stay away from Dimitri. You've no idea who you're dealing with. His family's influence stretches far beyond what you can imagine. They are powerful in ways that could destroy you, and they won't hesitate if they find out what you've done to their son.

This isn't a game, Lucas. Whatever thrill you're chasing, it's not worth the consequences that could follow. Dimitri is dangerous in ways you can't comprehend. His family doesn't just hold sway over the town—they have connections that could reach you no matter where you go. 

Take this warning seriously. Leave Dimitri alone before it's too late.

Mrs. Bennet"

Lucas's hand tightened around the note, crumpling the edges as he absorbed the words. The mention of Dimitri's family's power piqued his curiosity but also sent a cold shiver down his spine. For a moment, he felt a flash of uncertainty. He knew Mrs. Bennet wasn't one to exaggerate; if she felt the need to warn him, it meant there was something real behind her words.

But instead of fear, a twisted thrill began to rise within him again. The idea that Dimitri's family was dangerous only added another layer of excitement. The risk, the challenge—it all fed into his dark desires. He found himself grinning, despite the gravity of the warning.

"Powerful, huh?" Lucas murmured to himself, tossing the note aside. He walked over to his closet, still dripping water from his shower, and pulled out a fresh set of clothes. His mind was racing, not with fear, but with the possibilities that lay ahead. 

 Once Lucas finished dressing, he turned back to the crumpled note lying on his desk. Mrs. Bennet's warning echoed in his mind, but the thrill of defying it was too intoxicating to ignore. With a smirk, he picked up the note and walked over to the small wastebasket near his desk.

He hesitated for just a moment, feeling the slight weight of the paper between his fingers. Then, with a decisive motion, he crumpled the note even further, compressing it into a tight ball. Reaching into his desk drawer, he pulled out a lighter he had stashed away. Flicking the lighter open, he brought the small flame to the edge of the note.

The paper caught quickly, the fire consuming Mrs. Bennet's words in a rush of heat and light. Lucas watched as the flames danced, his eyes reflecting the orange glow. The warning, the threat, the reminder of the power that Dimitri's family wielded—all of it was reduced to nothing but ash in a matter of seconds.

When the flames had finished their work, he dropped the smoldering remains into the wastebasket, watching as they crumbled into a dark, fragile dust. He felt a sense of satisfaction as the last remnants of the note disintegrated, leaving no evidence behind.

"That's that," Lucas whispered to himself, the smirk returning to his lips. The thrill of destruction had once again given him a sense of control, even in the face of potential danger. As far as he was concerned, Mrs. Bennet's warning no longer mattered. He had made his decision.

With the ashes of the note still smoldering in the wastebasket, Lucas turned away, his mind already racing with plans. Dimitri was more than just a target now—he was a challenge, a puzzle Lucas was determined to make life's a living hell, no matter the consequences. And if there was a storm brewing with Dimitri's family, Lucas was more than ready to face it head-on.