Page 30 of Until She’s Mine

Lucian

T he elevator climbs to the father’s penthouse office suite.

I adjust the cuffs of my custom suit, watching my reflection in the brushed steel doors.

The man staring back is calm, composed, and every inch the heir apparent.

The only tell is the faint pulse at my temple and the way my jaw tenses ever so slightly.

Behind me, Tobias shifts restlessly, his nervous energy palpable.

He’s already sweating, his tie askew, his cologne too strong. The scent of desperation clings to him.

The doors slide open with a soft chime, revealing the sterile grandeur of our father’s domain.

Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the city skyline, the muted hum of Manhattan filtering through the glass.

The smell of Cuban cigars and expensive Scotch clings to the air, undercut with something medicinal.

Richard Blackwood sits behind his massive desk, the morning light catching the silver in his hair.

He doesn’t look up as we enter. Instead, he flips through a stack of documents with deliberate slowness.

“You’re late,” he grumbles. At seventy-two, he still commands the room like a general surveying a battlefield.

Tobias stammers an apology.

“Traffic,” I say simply, taking my seat across from him. I don’t offer excuses or explanations. Our father respects efficiency, not groveling.

He finally lifts his head, and I see the toll the last year has taken. The stroke left its mark—a slight droop to his right eyelid, a tremor in his left hand that he hides by keeping it tucked in his lap. But the steel in his gaze remains unchanged. “Evelyn Laurent.”

I lean back in my chair, my fingers steepled in front of me. “What about her?”

“Is she worth this?” he asks. “You’ve managed to keep your name out of the tabloids for years, Lucian. Now, you’ll become the subject of every gossip column in the city. And over what? A woman?”

“She’s the only woman who matters.”

Richard’s eyes narrow. “You’re jeopardizing everything we’ve built for a woman who was engaged to your brother. Do you have any idea how this looks?”

“I’m well aware of the consequences. But Evelyn is worth it. She’s worth every scandal, every headline, every ounce of scrutiny.”

Tobias shifts uncomfortably in his seat, his face flushing with anger and humiliation.

“She was never yours to take,” Tobias snaps, finally finding his voice. His hands clench into fists on the table, his knuckles white. “We had a contract. A future. You had no right—”

“You had no right to treat her like a possession,” I cut him off. “You didn’t deserve her.”

Tobias flinches, but before he can retort, Richard slams his hand on the desk.

Silence falls heavy and thick.

Father’s steely gaze shifts between Tobias and me.

His hand trembles slightly as he reaches for the glass of water on his desk, the only outward sign of his frailty.

“This isn’t just about Evelyn. I don’t care who ends up between your sheets, Lucian.

You’re both grown men. But this public spectacle reflects on the firm, on our name, on everything I’ve spent my life building.

” His gaze sharpens. “Do you understand that?”

I lean forward, my elbows resting on the desk as I meet his gaze head-on. “I understand perfectly. But let me make one thing clear—Evelyn is not a risk. She’s the only thing in this world I’m certain of.”

Richard’s jaw tightens, his fingers drumming against the arm of his chair. “Sentimentality has no place in business, Lucian. It’s a weakness.”

“It’s not sentimentality. Evelyn is more than capable of handling herself.”

“You think you’ve won?” Tobias spits at me. “Wait until the world finds out you’re fucking my ex-fiancée. The scandal will—”

“There won’t be a scandal. Unlike you, I control the narrative.” I straighten my cuffs. “You should have worked on that, but you spend all your time fucking flight attendants and interns. A shame, really. Your lack of foresight is your downfall.”

His face turns crimson. “You think you’re untouchable, Lucian? You think you can just waltz in here and—”

“Enough!” Richard’s voice thunders through the room, silencing Tobias mid-sentence.

“This isn’t a courtroom, and I won’t have my sons bickering like children.

Lucian, you’ve made your intentions clear.

Tobias, you’ve made your grievances known.

But let me remind you both that this is not about personal vendettas. This is about the Blackwood name.”

He pauses, his eyes narrowing as he focuses on me.

“Lucian, if you’re going to pursue this.

.. relationship with Evelyn Laurent, you will do so discreetly.

No more public displays, no more tabloid fodder.

Not until the dust settles and I’ve had time to assess the damage.

And you will ensure Ms. Laurent signs the necessary paperwork to protect this family’s interests.

I incline my head. “Already arranged. She’ll be here at noon.”

“Good.” Richard’s attention shifts to Tobias.

“As for you, you’ll cease all contact with Ms. Laurent immediately.

No calls, no texts, no ‘accidental’ meetings.

If I hear you’ve so much as breathed in her direction, I’ll freeze your trust fund faster than you can blink.

You need to let this go. You will not speak of it to the press, your friends, or anyone else. Is that understood?”

Tobias’s mouth opens and closes like a fish gasping for air. “You can’t—”

“I can and I will.” Richard’s voice drops to a dangerous whisper. “You’ve embarrassed this family enough with your philandering. I won’t have you dragging us through the mud over a woman who clearly has no interest in you.”

Tobias slumps back in his chair, his face a mask of resentment.

Richard exhales heavily. His gaze lingers on me, searching for doubt and regret.

But he won’t find it. I’ve made my choice, and I’ll stand by it, no matter the cost. “Now, let’s focus on business.

The Whitmore acquisition papers need your review before the close of business today, Lucian.

And Tobias, the Henderson deposition requires your immediate attention. ”

The shift in tone is abrupt, a clear signal that the conversation about Evelyn is over, for now. Tobias mutters an acknowledgment, his eyes burning with resentment as he glances at me. I meet his gaze with a cold smile, letting him see the unwavering certainty in my eyes.

He looks away first.