Out of the Norms

LUCIAN'S POV

I had imagined Elena Hart as either one of two things- fragile, drowning in a legacy too big for her, or cold and ruthless, desperate to prove she belonged. Instead she was… something in between.

She carried herself with poise, but not arrogance. There was fire in her eye, but no desperation. And the way she had shut down Gabriel Harper?

 Man that was epic!

Elena hart was dangerous not because she was ruthless, but because she was smart, composed and sharp. She's harder to read than I thought.

She's definitely not what I expected.

And for the first time since accepting this mission, I felt something close to hesitation.

After the board meeting, Elena invites me to her office. I know it's definitely a test, so I have to impress her and show her I'm worth trusting.

Elena gestures to a chair. " Tell me, Mr. Blackwood.

Why should I believe you can help me?"

I smirk and tilt my head slightly " Because I'm the best person for the job and you need me".

She stills for half a second. Then she nods, expression unreadable. " A lot of people can do this job, so why do I believe you?

I lean forward slightly, lowering my voice just enough to sound convincing. "Then let me prove I deserve your trust."

I see something flicker in her gaze—

curiosity, maybe even a hint of trust.

Good that's exactly what I need.

So I say "walk me through the state of your company."

Elena exhales, running her hand through her hair, " I assume you've been briefed before on the basics?"

" I prefer to hear from you."

Elena begins to fill me in on the company's struggles- the hostile competitors, the unstable stock, and the board members doubting her leadership. " We're under attack and Harper is making aggressive moves to take over key divisions. The board is divided- some want to sell, some are loyal. And on top of that I can't shake the feeling that my father's death wasn't an accident."

 I kept my expression unreadable because I knew all of this, of course. But I listen anyways, watching her. Learning how she thinks. I knew her father's death wasn't an accident.

Hell, my family could have been involved. But that wasn't why I was here.

I was here to gain her trust, to slowly steer her towards the mistakes that would destroy her.

So I nodded, keeping my voice calm. " Then let's make sure you win this fight."

Over the next few hours, I play the role I was meant to play. I asked the right question, and showed deep concern where needed. I made the right suggestions. I pretended to be exactly what Elena needed- an ally.

And she wanted to believe me.

I could see it in the way she let down her guard just slightly. The way her voice lost its sharp edge when she explained her father's old projects. The way her eyes lingered on me for just a second too long. It should have my job easier.

But instead, it made something tighten in my chest.

Focus.

This wasn't about her.

This was about survival.

But even as I told myselt that, I couldn't shake the thought- what if she wasn't the villain in this story?

What if I was?

After we finished up, it was late so as Elena leaves the office, I follow her from a distance. I know what's coming.

Damon planned a staged scare so I wanted to observe.

She's on a secluded road leading to her estate, I told myself I was just observing, making sure Damon's tactic doesn't go too far.

But deep down, I already knew that was a lie.

Then the headlights flared in her rearview mirror. Too bright. Too close.

My grip on the wheel tightened as a black SUV roared up behind her, swerving aggressively. Damon, what the hell did you plan?

The SUV clipped the side of her car.

Elena's tires screeched against the pavement.

I couldn't think, I just had to react.

I slammed my foot on the gas, swerving between lanes until I was right behind the SUV. The driver wasn't stopping. If anything, they were picking up speed, pushing Elena closer to the edge of the road.

My heart was pounding. She was losing control.

I yanked the wheel hard and shot past the SUV, cutting them off. The driver hesitated, momentarily thrown off by my presence. That was all I needed.

I forced my car into their path, braking hard. The SUV had no choice but to veer off, tires screeching as it spun away and disappeared into the night.

Elena's car skidded to a stop on the shoulder of the road.

I wasted no time as I jumped out of my car, with my heart racing, and rushed to her door.

Elena was gripping the wheels so tightly her knuckles were white. Her breaths came in sharp, shallow gasps.

"Hey," I said, my voice was surprisingly calm despite the adrenaline pumping through me.

" You're okay."

Her eyes snapped to mine, wide with panic. She doesn't trust me. Not yet.

But right now, that didn't matter.

She was shaking. I reached for the door handle, but she flinched.

" Elena," I said again, softer this time. "It's just me. Just breathe."

Slowly, she exhaled.

I scanned the surroundings, looking for any sign that the SUV might come back.

A motorcyclist pulled up next to Elena's car- Damon's hired delivery boy. She rolled down her glass, still shaken, eyes wild with fear. The man tossed a black envelope into her lap and sped off without a word.

I didn't have to read the note to know what it said:

" Next time, we won't miss. Sell your shares while you still can."

Elena trembled as she read the note, and for the first time, I saw real fear flicker in her eyes.

Rage coiled in my gut. Damon had gone too far.

Elena finally spoke, her voice barely a whisper. " Who would do this?"

I forced myself to hold her gaze, swallowing the guilt clawing at my chest.

"I don't know," I lied.

But one thing I knew for sure.

If Damon tried this again – I wouldn't step in.

I'd put an end to it.