Page 48 of Goldsin

Something simmers deep within me.

Or maybe he somehow found out about Aurelia’s involvement in DeMarco’s death. If that’s the case, things are about to get far more dangerous.

If only she trusted me enough to tell mewhyshe did it, I could have prevented this inconvenience.

Not only that, but she decided to handcuff me and leave me alone in bed.

God, I’ll forever hear the taunting giggles that erupted from Emeric when he found me. The prick took pictures before untying me.

“Your friend here is quite beautiful, don’t you think?” Lucian’s eyes are still lingering on Aurelia. There’s a predatory glint in them that makes me want to put myself between them, but I control myself. Even as disgust churns within me.

“Her beauty is not the reason you called us in here,” I say with false self-control, “so cut the shit and tell us.”

“Ah, always straight to the point, aren’t you, Julian?”He leans back in his chair, fingers clenching together as he continues to praise Aurelia. “You see, I’ve been thinking about how best to utilize the golden one here. She has certain ... talents after all.”

Aurelia stiffens beside me. She glances at Valentine, and he subtly shakes his head.

Is this it? Has he discovered her secret?

I swallow the lump forming in my dry throat, my hand centimeters away from the gun’s trigger.

I take a deep breath and focus on every single movement Lucian makes. I have a clear aim of his head from here—I could kill him before he could even take in his last breath. It would save Aurelia from his wrath, leaving me to take my brother’s bullet.

But she’d be safe.

Lies.The voice in my head mocks. With you gone, who’d protect her from the rest of the Inferno Consortium? Who would keep the demons at bay?

Lucian’s eyes narrow as he studies us, his gaze lingering on Aurelia for a moment longer. “Adrian,” he says, breaking the silence. “Leave us.”

Adrian hesitates, casting a worried glance in our direction before nodding stiffly. “As you wish, Father.” With that, he disappears through the door, leaving the four of us alone in the room.

No brother, no bullet to the heart. I might survive this after all.

“The girl has relied on our wealth—on the Inferno Consortium—for quite some time now,” Lucian starts, the words oozing from his mouth like venom. “It’s onlyfitting that she starts to prove her worth, don’t you think?”

Aurelia may have been adopted by Valentine, but that might as well be a misfortune, because in doing so he kept her close to us. Kept her part of the Inferno Consortium and close to Lucian.

She isn’t a lady. She’s a girl, and girls of the Inferno Consortium get used.

I grit my teeth, forcing myself to keep my anger in check as I feel Aurelia’s fingers digging into my arm. Her grip is desperate, a silent plea for me to remain calm despite the storm brewing inside of me.

“Aurelia is more than capable of standing on her own. She doesn’t need to prove anything,” I say with a tight jaw.

“Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong, Julian.” He leans forward, his gaze never leaving Aurelia’s face. It’s as if he’s trying to dissect her with his eyes alone. “Now that she’s old enough, she must learn to contribute to our world.”

“Your world?” Aurelia spits, finally finding her voice after what seemed like an eternity of silence. “The world of corruption and violence? I’m not interested in being a part of it.”

“Unfortunately, my dear, you don’t have a choice,” Lucian replies. “You’ve already taken the benefits that come with this life, whether you wanted to or not. Now the only way out is to become useful.”

Aurelia remains silent, her eyes wide, with something I can’t describe flickering in them. I can almost feelthe weight of her dread pressing against me, suffocating us both.

As much as I don’t want her to take part in this fucked-up, twisted world I live in, there’s no denying the truth in Lucian’s words.

“If you want her to become useful, she’ll need guidance. I’ll help her, but on my terms.” My voice strains with the effort of holding back. The less I piss him off, the faster we can get out of here.

“Your terms?” Lucian raises his brows. A smirk pulls at the corners of his lips. “Very well. I will allow you to oversee the girl’s ... integration into our world. But remember, she is ultimately my responsibility. Do not forget who you answer to.”

She is ultimately my responsibility.The pig.

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