7. His offer, his obsession

Selene sat in her apartment long after the Blackwood brothers had left, but the tension in the air hadn't faded.

Lucian's words echoed in her mind.

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

And then Ethan's warning…

"Stay away from him, Selene. Trust me."

She let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through her hair. What the hell was she supposed to do?

Her attraction to both brothers was undeniable. Magnetic. Dangerous. But she wasn't stupid—getting caught between them wasn't just risky. It was a disaster waiting to happen.

But what was the endgame here?

Why did she feel like a prize to be won instead of a woman with her own choices?

The thought made her stomach turn.

She needed a distraction.

Something to clear her mind.

Grabbing her jacket and purse, she decided to take a drive.

The city streets were quiet this late at night. Streetlights blurred past as she drove, but the cool air did little to calm her nerves.

Her thoughts were too loud. Too tangled.

She almost didn't notice the black car behind her.

But then she switched lanes.

And it followed.

Her grip on the steering wheel tightened.

Relax. You're being paranoid.

Still, her heart pounded as she checked the mirror again.

The car was still there.

Her phone rang, making her jump.

She glanced at the screen.

Lucian.

A chill ran down her spine.

Swallowing hard, she answered. "Lucian?"

His voice was smooth. Amused. Possessive.

"Where are you going this late, sweetheart?"

Her stomach dropped.

She glanced at the rearview mirror again.

It's him.

Her fingers trembled as she gripped the phone tighter. "Are you seriously following me?"

Lucian chuckled, the sound low and effortless. "You shouldn't be out alone at this hour."

"Are you kidding me?" Her frustration boiled over. "You can't just…"

"Turn left." His voice was calm, but there was no mistaking the command in it.

Selene clenched her jaw. "Excuse me?"

"Turn left."

Something in his tone made her pulse race.

She should just hang up. Drive home. Ignore him.

Instead, she turned left.

Moments later, she found herself pulling into a long, gated driveway. A massive mansion loomed ahead, its golden lights glowing against the dark sky.

Lucian's mansion.

Her hands tightened on the wheel.

This is a mistake.

Before she could react, her car door opened.

Lucian stood there, looking down at her with that same infuriating confidence.

He held out a hand. "Come inside."

Selene crossed her arms. "No."

Lucian tilted his head, smirking. "Would you rather I carry you inside, then?"

She scoffed and stepped out. "This is insane."

Lucian chuckled but didn't deny it. "You don't trust me."

She met his gaze. "I know I don't trust you."

"Good." He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a murmur. "But that won't stop you from wanting me."

Her breath caught.

She hated how true those words felt.

Lucian stepped aside and gestured toward the entrance. "Come in, Selene. I have a proposal for you."

She hesitated, then finally walked past him into the mansion.

The inside was just as breathtaking as she remembered..sleek, modern, yet strangely warm. The soft glow of the fireplace cast long shadows across the room as Lucian led her to a private lounge.

He poured himself a drink before settling into a chair.

Selene stayed standing. "What do you want, Lucian?"

He took a sip of whiskey, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Marry me."

Selene froze.

Then let out a sharp laugh. "Excuse me?"

Lucian swirled his drink lazily. "You heard me."

Her head spun. "You're insane."

Lucian smirked. "I prefer the term strategic."

Selene stared at him. "Why would I ever agree to that?"

Lucian leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "Because it would give you protection, power… and me."

Her pulse hammered.

She opened her mouth to argue, but Lucian wasn't done.

"I know Ethan wants you." His voice was smooth, but there was something darker beneath it. "But Ethan can't protect you like I can."

Selene's stomach twisted. "Protect me from what?"

Lucian's smirk faded.

He stood, walking toward her until they were inches apart.

"There are things you don't know, sweetheart." His voice was low, almost gentle. "And trust me, you're going to want me on your side."

Her breath quickened. "Is that a threat?"

Lucian reached up, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers were warm against her skin.

"It's a warning."

Selene swallowed hard, her heart racing.

She should walk away.

She should leave and never look back.

But Lucian Blackwood was like a fire she couldn't resist.

And deep down… she wasn't sure she even wanted to.

Selene forced herself to step back, putting distance between them. But it didn't matter. Lucian was already in her head, his presence overwhelming, both suffocating and intoxicating at the same time.

She crossed her arms, trying to look unfazed. "Let me get this straight…you think I should marry you just because you can 'protect' me?" She let out a dry laugh. "That's the worst proposal I've ever heard."

Lucian smirked, completely unbothered. Amused. Dangerous.

"Who said I was asking?" His voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge beneath it.

Selene's stomach tightened.

This wasn't a romantic proposal.

This was a calculated move.

She squared her shoulders. "I'm not a pawn in whatever game you're playing, Lucian."

His smirk faded. A darker look took its place. "You think this is a game?" He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "You have no idea what you've stepped into, Selene."

She clenched her fists, refusing to back down. "Then tell me. Stop with the cryptic warnings and just say what you mean."

Lucian studied her, quiet for a long moment. Then, he let out a low chuckle. "You're really not afraid of me, are you?"

Selene met his gaze head-on. "No."

Lie.

Lucian tilted his head, his piercing blue eyes seeing right through her. "You should be."

The air between them grew thick with tension.

She hated the way her body reacted to him..the heat, the awareness, the way his gaze burned through her defenses.

But she refused to let him win.

Turning on her heel, she marched toward the door. "I'm leaving."

Lucian didn't stop her.

He just watched.

Her heart pounded as she grabbed the door handle, ready to walk away.

Then his voice stopped her cold.

"Think carefully, Selene."

She froze.

"Because once you walk out that door… you might regret it."

A chill ran down her spine.

Slowly, she turned her head. "Is that another warning?"

Lucian took a sip of his whiskey, his smirk returning.

"No, sweetheart." His voice was low, smooth, and laced with something that made her shiver.

"It's a promise."

Her breath caught.

She should leave.

She should run as far away from him as possible.

But instead… she hesitated.

And that hesitation would cost her everything.