Page 49 of Goldsin

“Of course.”

“Perfect.”

I hear my muscles strain as he looks at her.

“Now let’s get down to business.”

Lucian begins to outline his latest conquest, taking pride in the way Aurelia’s revulsion taints her expression. She’s a fighter, but even she has her breaking point. And it seems we’re rapidly approaching it.

I don’t blame her. I puked too the first time I heard Lucian’s detailed description of the woman he and his friends had fucked before carving their initials into her skin and hanging her as trophy art in one of our living rooms, leaving her to rot.

And then I fainted when he took me to see her.

I was only six.

“Is there a problem, golden one?” His voice drips with sarcasm. “You look as if you’re about to be sick.”

Aurelia swallows hard, throat bobbing.

Then her eyes dart between me and him before she lifts her chin, a dare shining in her gaze.

“I’m fine.” Her voice picks up strength. “Let’s just get this over with.”

His expression drops all trace of friendliness. “Remember, you are here because I’ve allowed it. Your life, your very existence, is dependent on your usefulness to me. Don’t forget that.”

A strange heaviness forms in my chest at seeing Aurelia’s freckles dull in color, the way her chest is suspended in the moment, as if she drifted someplace else before being forced back down into this hell.

She had the same reaction her first day of high school, when she stopped at my locker, a plate of star cookies in her hands—my favorite. I love eating the angles before digging into the middle. But I pushed right past her as if she didn’t exist.

Like my heart wasn’t fucking screaming to go back to her.

“Now, enough with the pleasantries—we have more important matters to discuss. Victoria Marlowe has informed me she’s grown quite fond of you.” His eyes stain her with his vileness.

Tensing, I contemplate his next words.

“Your task is simple,” Lucian continues, informing Aurelia of what she’s to do. “You will work together with Julian to ensure Victoria’s happiness and satisfaction. This will secure our alliance with the Marlowefamily and keep the peace after the chaos of DeMarco’s death.”

“Father,” I say, my voice steady despite the need to gag at calling him that, “you can’t seriously want her to get involved in something this delicate. She will blow everything up. Victoria’s needs are being taken care of. She’ssatisfied.”

Aurelia crosses her arms and huffs.

“Do not test me, boy,” he snarls. “If you refuse to do as I say, I’ll make sure your mother pays the price.”

I know he isn’t bluffing.

He’s done it before to keep me in line. But this time something inside of me snaps. I can’t let him hurt my mother, but I also can’t sacrifice Aurelia for it.

Lucian notices, because at the lack of a response from me, he says, “Her pussy must be gold if you’d give your mother to me to save her. It must be so if she’s being tossed between you and your brother. Since we’re keeping it in the family, maybe it’s time for my turn. What do you say?”

Aurelia stiffens next to me at his words. Her eyes round as she tries to mask the faint tremble of her body. A boiling fire ignites within me at seeing her like this.

Clenching my fists, I’m barely able to keep my bitterness in check. “You will not lay a finger on her.”

Lucian laughs—a cruel, mocking sound that echoes throughout the room. “Fine.” The amusement is clear in his voice. “You’d best do as you’re told, or I’ll be taking her to bed with me next.”

With that, he dismisses us from his presence.

Without needing to be told twice, we leave.

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