Will He Join In?
Lucius stood outside the penthouse door, glaring at his phone like it personally offended him.
The message had been brief. No time. No explanation.
From: Unknown Number
"Just go inside. Don't knock. Door's unlocked. -K."
Against every bit of logic and pride screaming inside him…
He twisted the handle.
The door swung open easily.
And the first thing he heard…
Was a noise that made him freeze in place.
A low, desperate whimper.
Then a sharp gasp.
Then--
"P-Please… just a little more… please…"
Lucius's spine stiffened.
What the hell--?
He stepped inside… cautiously… shoes clicking against polished marble floors that stretched into a sunlit living room too expensive for someone like her to casually lounge in.
And there…
Across the room…
Krishna sat sprawled across her giant velvet chaise, silk robe slipping off one shoulder like she couldn't care less.
Her bare leg spread a bit lazily over the edge of the seat…
And Aaron?
Kneeling in front of her. Head moving, evident of what's happening, beyond what he couldn't see.
Sweat damp at his temple, and glistening wetness on his mouth.
His entire body trembling like a man on the edge of collapse… both from physical exhaustion… and something far worse: need.
Krishna…
Smirking down at him, her legs crossed, after getting satisfied.
Like giving him a reward for a job well done, her toes dragging slow, teasing lines under his chin.
Like he was something to play with.
Pet.
Toy.
Property.
Lucius felt his stomach twist.
Somewhere between mortification…
And something far darker.
Jealousy?
He shoved the thought away.
Krishna didn't even glance at him. She kept stroking Aaron's hair, watching the way the Alpha leaned desperately into her touch.
"Good boy," she cooed, making Aaron shudder all over again.
Lucius cleared his throat, loud.
Both of them turned.
Krishna's lazy gaze flicked to him like she'd only just remembered his existence.
"Oh. You're here."
Aaron, still kneeling, glared up with glazed, possessive eyes… like Lucius had just walked in on something sacred.
Lucius rolled his shoulders back, keeping his expression flat. "I got your message. What do you want?"
Krishna finally stood, tugging her robe just enough to cover what needed covering, but not enough to hide the marks of play already reddening Aaron's throat.
She crossed the room, barefoot, steps slow and almost predatory.
"I came from my father's office this morning," she said, circling Lucius like a lioness deciding how hungry she felt.
"And?"
"And congratulations, Vale," she purred, stopping just close enough to tilt her head at him. "You're officially employed."
Lucius blinked. "What?"
"Starting Monday, you'll report directly to Harlan Debonair." Her smile was slow, sharp at the edges. "You're his new political advisor. With full internal access privileges."
His heart kicked into his ribs.
"That… That's impossible."
"Nope." Krishna popped the 'p' like it tasted sweet. "I pushed. Threatened. Nearly burned down half the tower. And now?" Her voice dropped low, sultry and dangerous. "You're in."
Lucius stared at her, mind racing.
This was…
Insanity.
Unprecedented.
And yet…
Somewhere deep in his gut…
He felt the smallest spark of pride…
That she fought this hard for him.
But…
Pride tangled quickly with resentment.
"You're placing me like a pawn."
She smiled wider. "You're smarter than I thought."
He gritted his teeth. "And if I refuse?"
Krishna shrugged, sauntering back toward her chaise where Aaron was still on the floor, waiting like an obedient beast.
"You won't," she said simply.
Lucius opened his mouth…
But the words stuck.
She was right.
He couldn't refuse.
Not after everything she did to get him this seat.
Not when it placed him closer to the power he'd chased for years.
Krishna settled back onto her throne-like chair, pulling Aaron's head right back onto her lap without missing a beat.
"Be at the main office at 8 AM sharp," she called over her shoulder like he was nothing more than another piece on her board.
Lucius stood there for another long, charged second… watching…
Taking in the sight of her fingers threading through Aaron's hair like reward…
The way the Alpha trembled at the barest graze of her touch…
And for one humiliating, gut-deep moment…
Lucius wondered--
Would it feel like that?
If it was him?
He cursed under his breath.
Turned.
And left.
But the image followed him all the way down to the street.
Lucius had barely made it to the sidewalk when his phone buzzed.
He glanced down, fully prepared to ignore whatever it was…
Until he saw the sender.
Krishna.
Against his better judgment, he opened it.
Just one line.
"Do well at your new job, Vale… and who knows… I might just reward you better than I do Aaron. ;)"
His throat went dry.
His mind, traitorous, immediately conjured the image of her fingers… her voice… the way Aaron had all but melted under her touch like a ruined mess of muscle and pride.
Lucius scowled, quickly shoving the phone back into his pocket like it burned.
No.
He wasn't that desperate.
…Yet.
Still, as he walked away, hands buried deep in his coat pockets,
his heart beat faster than it should.
And that stupid, taunting text?
Sat like a brand across his brain all the way home.