6. A choice that changes everything

Selene stood frozen on the sidewalk, the cool night air prickling her skin, but it was nothing compared to the weight of the moment.

Lucian's Lamborghini idled beside her, sleek, powerful, unapologetic. Just like him. He sat behind the wheel, dark eyes locked onto hers, daring her to make a choice.

Ethan's Aston Martin was parked a few feet away, just as striking, but carrying a different kind of pull. Steady. Controlled. Yet no less dangerous.

Both brothers were waiting. Watching.

How the hell had she ended up in this mess?

Selene clenched her jaw.

No.

She wasn't going to play their game.

"I'm not going with either of you," she said firmly, turning away as she pulled out her phone to call a ride.

She barely had a second to react before…

Lucian was in front of her.

Fast. Silent. Unyielding.

His fingers wrapped around her wrist, firm but not harsh. "Don't be difficult, Selene."

A shiver ran down her spine, but she yanked her arm back. "I can get myself home."

Lucian didn't let go. His grip wasn't forceful, but it was enough to tell her he wasn't asking. "Get in the car."

The tension between them thickened, charged with something she couldn't quite name.

Then.. a hand wrapped around her other wrist.

She turned her head sharply.

Ethan.

His touch was different. Steady. Measured. But just as firm.

"You don't have to let him make this decision for you," Ethan murmured, his voice calm but filled with meaning.

Selene's heart pounded.

She was standing between two men who didn't just want her to choose them, they wanted to win.

L

Lucian's jaw tightened. "Let go of her, Ethan."

Ethan met his brother's glare without flinching. "You first."

Selene had enough.

She yanked both hands free and stepped back. "Enough. I am not some prize for you two to fight over."

Silence.

Lucian's smirk returned, but it was sharper now, laced with something dangerous. "You think you're in control here, sweetheart?"

Selene lifted her chin. "I know I am."

Lucian let out a low chuckle, dark amusement flickering in his gaze. Ethan, however, looked satisfied.

"Good," Ethan said smoothly. "Then let's go."

Lucian's smirk faded. "Don't push me, Ethan."

Selene exhaled, shaking her head. She didn't have time for this.

"I'm leaving," she announced, turning on her heel.

This time, neither of them stopped her.

She barely made it to her apartment before her phone buzzed.

Lucian: You just made things more interesting, sweetheart.

Her stomach flipped.

Another buzz.

Ethan: Stay away from him, Selene. Trust me.

Selene set the phone down, her fingers trembling slightly.

Two brothers.

Two warnings.

And she was stuck in the middle of something much bigger than she ever realized.

She thought she could handle this.

She might have been wrong.

Selene gripped the edge of her kitchen counter, staring down at her phone.

Lucian's words felt like a challenge. A promise she wasn't sure she wanted to test.

Ethan's, on the other hand, felt like a warning.

Stay away from him, Selene. Trust me.

A dry laugh escaped her lips.

As if that was even possible.

No matter how hard she tried to step back, both brothers kept pulling her right back in.

A sharp knock at the door made her breath hitch.

She froze.

It was late. Too late for visitors.

Her pulse pounded as she crossed her apartment, hesitating before gripping the handle.

Relax. It's probably just a neighbor.

She took a deep breath and opened the door.

Her stomach dropped.

Lucian.

Dressed in black, looking like trouble itself. His sharp features were even more striking under the dim hallway light. And in his hand? A bottle of wine.

Selene folded her arms. "Are you lost?"

Lucian smirked and stepped inside, moving past her like he owned the place.

"Nice," he murmured, scanning the apartment. "A little small, but cozy."

She rolled her eyes, shutting the door behind him. "Lucian, what the hell are you doing here?"

He turned, his dark gaze flickering with amusement. "I came to share a drink."

Selene raised a brow. "At midnight?"

Lucian shrugged. "You left before I could say everything I wanted to."

A strange unease crept down her spine.

"What else is there to say?"

He stepped closer, shifting the air between them.

Selene could smell his cologne, feel the heat rolling off him.

His voice dropped lower. Smoother. "We both know Ethan isn't the right choice for you."

Her breath hitched.

Lucian reached for a glass, pouring two drinks like he belonged there, then handed one to her.

She hesitated.

His smirk deepened. "You don't trust me?"

"Not even a little."

Lucian chuckled, taking a slow sip. "Smart girl."

Selene exhaled sharply, setting her glass down. "You're wasting your time, Lucian. I'm not playing whatever game this is."

His expression darkened, though the amusement never faded.

"Oh, sweetheart…" He tilted his head, watching her like a predator. "You're already playing."

A sudden knock at the door made Selene's stomach twist.

Lucian smirked. "Let me guess."

The knock came again, harder this time.

Selene swallowed, stepping forward and pulling open the door.

Her heart stopped.

Ethan.

His eyes flicked past her, locking onto Lucian.

The tension in the room spiked.

Selene swore under her breath.

Lucian swirled his wine lazily. "What took you so long, little brother?"

Ethan's jaw tightened. His gaze flicked to Selene. "Are you okay?"

Lucian let out a soft chuckle. "Oh, come on. Do I look like I'd hurt her?"

Ethan's hands curled into fists. "You don't need to be here, Lucian."

Lucian smirked. "Funny. I was just about to say the same thing to you."

Selene could feel it..this was about to spiral into something bad. Again.

She had to stop it.

"Both of you, out."

Neither of them moved.

Selene let out a sharp breath. "I'm serious. I'm not doing this tonight. I'm exhausted, and the last thing I need is the two of you marking your damn territory like cavemen."

Lucian's smirk deepened. "Territory?"

Ethan's jaw ticked. "We'll talk later, Selene."

With that, he turned and walked off, shoulders stiff.

Selene closed her eyes, exhaling.

When she turned back, Lucian was still watching her. Something unreadable flickered in his gaze.

She crossed her arms. "You too, Blackwood."

Lucian chuckled, setting his empty glass down before heading to the door.

Just before stepping out, he leaned in, his breath warm against her ear.

"You can push me away all you want, sweetheart," he murmured. "But in the end… you'll come to me."

Selene's breath caught, her heart pounding.

And before she could respond, he was gone.

Leaving her standing there, trapped between two powerful men. Two dangerous choices.

And the worst part?

Lucian might be right.