Page 57 of Knot Heirs: Serenity's Reign

"Control yourself, Blackthorn." Darius's tone sharpened. "We need her cooperation, not your infatuation."

"I'm perfectly controlled." Lucian's voice remained smooth despite the territorial growl building in his chest. "And I understand our objective better than anyone."

"See that you remember it. The Society won't wait while you indulge in courtship rituals."

Lucian ended the call without responding, slipping the phone back into his pocket as the car completed its circle around the block. The hotel came back into view, its gleaming facade housing the woman who had unexpectedly disturbed the careful equilibrium of his world.

"Parker," he addressed his driver, "have Simmons assemble a security detail. Four men, rotating shifts. I want eyes on Ms. Vale's hotel around the clock. They're to remain unseen but alert."

"Yes, sir."

"And contact hotel security. I want their feed redirected to my private server."

"Already arranged, sir."

Lucian nodded, unsurprised by his employee's efficiency. He'd hired only the best—people who anticipated his needs before he voiced them. It was why Blackthorn Financial functioned with surgical precision, why his enemies never saw him coming until it was too late.

But Serenity Vale had seen through him tonight. Had watched him with those remarkable golden-red eyes that missed nothing. Had scented his interest despite his carefully maintained facade.

And that pussy of hers made his indestructible walls crumble for a sheer moment of lust and immense desire.

The realization both irritated and intrigued him.

He pulled out the folder he'd kept for himself—the twin to the one he'd given her. Inside were papers she hadn't seen: psychological profiles, medical records, security assessments spanning the seven years Marcus Vale had secretly monitored his daughter.

And photographs. So many photographs.

Serenity graduated with her MBA, her expression serious as she accepted her diploma. Serenity working late in her office, the glow of a computer screen illuminating her focused face. Serenity jogging through a park at dawn, her hair pulled back, cheeks flushed with exertion.

Marcus had been thorough in his surveillance, protective in his distance. He'd watched over his daughter while keeping her safely removed from his dangerous world.

Until now.

Lucian traced a finger over the most recent photograph. Serenity at a café three weeks ago, her head bent over financial reports, unaware that within days her father would be murdered and her carefully constructed life would implode.

"Sir?" Parker's voice interrupted his thoughts. "We've circled twice now."

Lucian closed the folder with a snap. "Take me to the penthouse."

As the car pulled away, he couldn't resist a final glance at the hotel. Somewhere in that building, Serenity Vale was processing everything he'd told her, everything he'd shown her. Deciding how much to believe, how much to trust.

She would research him tonight. Would dig into his past, his business, searching for inconsistencies in his story. She would be methodical, relentless.

The thought shouldn't have aroused him.

But it did.

In his penthouseoverlooking the city, Lucian shed his white suit jacket and poured himself three fingers of Macallan 25. He rolled up his sleeves and loosened his tie further but didn't remove it—the vivid purple silk a reminder of the calculated impression he'd wanted to make tonight.

Too bold. Too intentional. A sartorial choice designed to unsettle and intrigue.

And it had worked. He'd caught her gaze lingering on the violet silk, her analytical mind no doubt cataloging the deliberate ostentation of his appearance. Wondering what lay beneath the carefully constructed image.

He moved to the floor-to-ceiling windows, observing the city spread before him like a circuit board of lights and shadows. Somewhere in that glittering expanse, other players in this dangerous game were making their moves. The Society's council members. Rivals for the Vale empire. Whoever had ordered Marcus Vale's assassination.

His phone buzzed again—Ronan this time.

"She's looking into you," Ronan said without preamble. "Just penetrated your first security layer."

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