Lucian  

The moment Lexi's phone lit up again with Ethan Shaw's name, my entire body went on high alert. I watched the color drain from her face as she quickly silenced the call, her fingers trembling slightly against the screen.  

“You know him,” I stated, steering her firmly toward the private elevator. My grip on her elbow was perhaps tighter than necessary, but the sudden appearance of that particular name in connection with Lexi Carter set off every alarm bell in my system.  

She yanked her arm free the second the elevator doors closed. “It's personal.” 

The way her chin jutted out in defiance would have been adorable if the situation weren't so dangerous.  

I studied her in the elevator's dim lighting. The rapid pulse at her throat, the way she unconsciously bit her lower lip. For a woman who claimed to hate me, she stood remarkably close to me in this confined space.  

The garage doors opened to reveal Marcus waiting with the town car. “Change of plans,” I told Lexi, guiding her toward it with a hand at the small of her back. She stiffened but didn't pull away this time. “My driver will take you home.” 

“What about the rest of the tour?” Those whiskey-colored eyes narrowed at me.

I resisted the urge to tuck a loose curl behind her ear. “Rescheduled.” I replied, ss I handed her into the car, I made sure my voice dropped low enough that Marcus wouldn't hear. “I don't know your connection with Ethan, but be careful. I'm just a call away if you need me.”

I can't believe I said that. I felt really embarrassed. What am I? Her boyfriend?

She shook her head. “I don't need you, Mr. Cross.”

“Ouch,” I muttered.

Lexi didn't come to work until three days later. Not that she didn't want to come. I didn't call her. My face still burns in embarrassment whenever I remember my last statement to her. The hell.

Three days later, at the Children's Hospital Benefit.  I spotted Lexi across the crowded ballroom, looking stunning in an emerald green gown my assistant had discreetly arranged for her. If she knew the dress was from me, she wouldn't wear it. 

I had my assistant call her the night before to inform her I would be needing her to cover a story.

She held her camera and notepad tightly, but her book has been empty since three hours ago. I am sure she was expecting something shady and bad.

“Enjoying the champagne or just the view?” I murmured, appearing at her elbow.  

She startled, nearly dropping her glass. “Do you have to materialize out of thin air like some sort of overgrown bat?”

I plucked the champagne from her fingers and took a sip, watching her eyes track the movement of my lips. “I prefer to think of it as making an entrance.”  

Lexi rolled her eyes but didn't protest when I guided her toward the silent auction tables. “Why are we really here, Mr. Cross?” Her voice was laced with frustration. “This doesn't seem like your scene.”  

“You'd be surprised.” I nodded toward a group of children in remission being escorted by nurses. “The hospital's oncology wing is my pet project.” 

Her skeptical expression softened just slightly. “You fund pediatric cancer research?”

“Among other things.” I steered her past a display showing the new neonatal unit my foundation had built. “But please, don't let that ruin your image of me as a heartless capitalist.”  

For the first time since we met, I saw genuine confusion flicker across her face.  

Later That Evening we arrived at The Bronx Foster Home.  

Lexi stood frozen in the doorway as I handed out winter coats to a group of wide-eyed children. Who were excited to see me.

“You... you know this place?” She asked, her gaze fixed on me.

“Intimately.” I crouched to help a small boy zip his new jacket. “My father and I have visited here since I was nine before he died. He told me it was a family tradition and I must continue.”

I watched the realization dawn in her eyes.

“You're staring, Miss Carter.” I teased.

She blinked rapidly. “I just... you never mentioned…” 

“Because it's not for publicity.” I straightened, brushing invisible lint from my suit sleeves. “Contrary to popular belief, not everything I do is for show.” 

Lexi opened her mouth, then closed it again when one of the teenage girls approached shyly.  

“Mr. Lucian?” The girl held out a handmade card. “We made this for you.”

As I accepted the card, I didn't miss how Lexi's fingers twitched toward it, her reporter's curiosity clearly warring with something softer.  

“Thank you, Maria.” I tucked the card into my inner pocket without looking at it. Some moments were too private even for prying journalists.  

The ride back to Atherton was quiet, Lexi stared out of the window with an unreadable expression. When the car pulled up outside her apartment, she finally turned to me.  

“Why did you really bring me today?” She asked, her serious expression told me she wanted to hear the truth.

I considered lying to her. Considered deflecting with a joke about her article. But instead, I told her the truth.  

“Because I wanted you to see me.”  

She was stunned. Shock written all over her face.

“What?!” 

“Yes, I wanted you to see me.” I smiled, looking around. “This is who I am, not some heartless billionaire who fucks celebrities.”

For a moment I knew she didn't want to believe me.

I won't force it.

Wait, but why do I care what she thinks of me?

I never cared what people thought of me. But somehow, deep down, I want Lexi to know me for who I really am. Not some fucked up billionaire.

“I will leave now, thanks for the ride.” She said, turning to her apartment.

“Oh…alright.” I entered the car and it zoomed off.

“Is everything okay, sir.” Gregory asked from the driver's seat.

I decided against lying. Everything is not okay.

“I need to see a therapist, Greg. Immediately.”

“Okay sir. I’ll arrange for that.” 

He dialed a number and chatted for a while.

“She’ll be glad to see you immediately sir.” Gregory replied.

I nodded. It's a she. Good. Because I might end up needing motherly advice.

Few minutes later, we pulled up in front of a massive building. 

Greg took care of all the necessities.

“This way sir.” A female receptionist replied, leading us to a large office.

A slender, silver-haired woman sat on a white sofa. Late sixties I presume.

“Come on in, my dear.” She welcomed, offering me a seat. The chair was a comfortable leather chair.

“Will be outside sir.” Greg excused.

I nodded, waving him out.

“Spill.” The woman ordered, and as if on cue, I narrated my concern to her. From how I met Lexi. To how I act strange whenever she's around. And sometimes say ridiculous things like, “call me when you need me.” What kind of boss says that?!

The woman nodded, scribbling in her notebook as I confessed. When I finished, the woman set down her pen with a knowing smile. I nodded, my gaze fixed on her, expecting some explanation.

“My dear, what you're describing are classic symptoms of limerence.”

I stiffened in the leather chair. “Limerence?”

“That overwhelming romantic infatuation,” she explained, adjusting her glasses. “The physical reactions. The irrational need to both impress and provoke her.” She tapped her notebook. “You're not acting strange, Mr. Cross. You're falling in love.”

The pen I'd been fidgeting with snapped in my hands. “Ehn!”

Lexi

I slumped on my couch, cracking open the window to check if Lucian's stupidly expensive car was gone. The street was empty except for Mrs. Kowalski’s ancient tabby cat peeing on my doormat.

The hell is wrong with that man?  

I shoved a handful of stale popcorn in my mouth. Is he really who he claims to be? Or is this some elaborate billionaire mind game? Ugh.   

Just as I stood up to prepare myself noodles, rapid knocks shook my door. My fist tightened.

God help me if it's Mia…I'm gonna kill her.

“Pay your rent, you asshole!” My landlord's cigarette-roughened voice screeched through the thin wood.  

I yanked the door open in anger. Mrs. Kowalski stood there in her usual uniform, moth-eaten housecoat, fuzzy slippers, and a cigarette dangling from her lips like a damn movie villain.  

“I already paid for last month!” I yelled back at her.

She took a long drag, blowing smoke in my face. “Don't play stupid, bitch. I saw that hot rich dude drop you off.” Her yellowed teeth appeared in a grin. “He single?”

I snorted. “He's not single.” 

Liar. 

“Pity.” She held out a gnarled hand. “Well? I'm sure he gave you money. Where's my money? My weed's running low.”  

“The hell, Mrs. Kowalski.” I hissed. “I'm not a slut, okay. And I've got no money.” I folded my arms across my chest.

“Well…I'mma throw your stuff out.” She puffed smoke in my face.

“I hate you.” I growled.

I stomped to my little safe box and pulled out the cash I'd been saving for new work clothes so I don't look like a charity case at Lucian’s workplace. “Here! Now leave me alone!”

Mrs. Kowalski licked her fingers as she counted. “This ain't enough for next month.”  

“It's all I have!” 

She pocketed the cash with a shrug. “Tell Prince Charming your landlord accepts direct deposits.” With that, she waddled off, coughing like a broken vacuum cleaner.  

I hate my life!

I was slurping my sad ramen when my door burst open.  

“Surprise, girl!” Mia sang, her arms laden with shopping bags, her makeup freshly done and hair blown out.  

I nearly choked. “Why do you still have my key?!” 

Mia kicked off designer heels that definitely weren't hers last week. “Because you'd starve without me.” She dumped the bags on my lap. “Open them.”  

I peeked inside. Silk blouses. Tailored slacks. Actual leather boots. “Did you rob someone?”  

“Better.” She flopped onto my couch. “Met this crypto bro at a club last night. He took me to Rodeo Drive before dinner.” She waved a manicured hand. “Got bored, told him I had emergency cramps, and kept the goods.”

Well, typical of her.  

I held up a price tag. “This shirt costs more than my annual rent!”  

Mia grinned. “And it'll look amazing when you accidentally run into a certain billionaire.” 

I threw a pillow at her. “I'm not…”  

“Yes, ma'am.” She quickly replied, dodging the pillow.

“Well…poor guy.” I sighed.

“Yeah…poor guy.” She shook her head.

“You know you will never get a man if you keep doing this.” I pointed out.

“I know and that's because I am not ready to be a wife yet.” She rolled her eyes.

“But you will, one day, right?” I asked, getting worried.

This girl dupes guys a lot.

“Hmm,” she nodded. “Let's get something better to eat.” She snatched the noodles from me and dropped it into the bin.

“Hurgh,” I pinched my brows. “You know I don't like wasting food.”

She bursted into laughter. “You call that food?”

“Don't do that to me.” I said.

“It's expired girl.” She said.

“It is?” I asked, acting like I hadn't seen it. I tried picking it back from the trash. Mia kicked it back. “But it tasted okay.” I pouted. My stomach was growling.

“That's because your taste bud is used to suffering.” She mocked, bursting inti laughter.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

We stepped out to go eat at a restaurant.

After a while, Mia and I stepped out of the diner, my stomach finally full of something other than expired ramen. The night air was cool against my skin as we walked back to my apartment.  

“You sure you don't want to come clubbing with me?” Mia asked, adjusting her designer sunglasses even though it was nighttime.  

I rolled my eyes. “No, thanks. I have work tomorrow.” 

Mia gasped dramatically. “Oh right! Your other job with your other rich boyfriend.”  

I shoved her lightly. “Shut up. It's just a six-month contract.”  

“Uh-huh.” She winked before hopping into a rideshare. “Text me if Lucian proposes!” 

I flipped her off as the car drove away. 

The next morning, I stepped into the lobby of Cross Media the next day, wearing one of the outfits Mia had acquired, a fitted red dress that hugged my curves and heels that made me walk like a newborn giraffe. 

The security guard at the front desk did a double check.  

“Miss Carter?” He asked, blinking.  

I smirked. “The one and only.”

The elevator ride up was nerve-wracking. What if Lucian hated the dress? What if he loved it? Why do I even care?!  

The doors opened to the executive floor, and I strutted out with as much confidence as I could muster.  

Then I heard his voice. His statement shattered every bit of confidence I had.

“Why are you so cheaply dressed?” 

I froze. Lucian stood a few feet away, arms crossed over his chest, his icy blue eyes scanning me from head to toe. “I remember paying you $200,000 last week.”  

My face burned as I tried to mask my anger. “Don't act like you don't know my expenses don't allow for savings,” I shot back.  

He didn’t blink. “I don’t care. Just level up.” 

Asshole.

“I hate you,” I muttered under my breath.  

Gregory appeared behind Lucian, looking between us like he was watching a tennis match.  

I turned to him. “What is wrong with your boss?”  

Gregory hesitated, before speaking. “What is wrong with ‘our boss’, Miss Lexi?” He corrected.

I sighed. “No need for formalities. Just call me Lexi.”  

Gregory nodded. “Oh, okay. Lexi.”  

Lucian’s head snapped toward us, his expression darkening. “What the hell are you two discussing? And why are you standing so close to each other?” He stepped between us, his broad shoulders blocking Gregory from view.  

I glared up at him. “What is wrong with you, Lucian?” 

The second the words left my mouth, the entire floor seemed to hold its breath.  

Lucian turned to me slowly, his gaze sharp. “Did you just call me Lucian?” 

Lucian

The sound of my first name on Lexi's lips hit me like an electric bolt.

No one in this building had ever called me anything but “Mr. Cross” or “sir.” Hell, my own board members trembled when they had to address me directly. But here stood this infuriating woman in her red dress that made my mouth go dry, calling me Lucian like she had every right in the world.

“Did you just call me Lucian?” I repeated, my voice dropping to that dangerous tone that usually made grown men piss themselves.

But Lexi lifted her chin higher, those whiskey eyes blazing with defiance. “That's your name, isn't it?”

Gregory cleared his throat behind me, probably sensing the tension crackling between us like live wire. The smart bastard excused himself with a mumbled “I'll check on those reports, sir.” and practically sprinted toward the elevator.

Coward.

I stepped closer to Lexi, close enough to catch that citrus scent that had been driving me insane for weeks. “You work for me,” I said slowly, deliberately. “That means you show me respect.”

She laughed. She actually laughed. The sound was rich and genuine and completely unexpected. “Respect? You just insulted my clothes and acted like a caveman because I talked to Gregory. What exactly have you done to earn my respect, Lucian?”

There it was again. My name falling from those lips like honey laced with poison.

The therapist's words echoed in my head. “You're falling in love.”

I scoffed. Love? That's impossible. Not with this disrespectful brat.

I circled her slowly, like a predator stalking prey. “You want to know what I've done? I've given you access to my world. I've paid you more money than you've ever seen. I've shown you sides of myself that no other journalist has witnessed.”

She turned with me, refusing to be intimidated. “And you've been a condescending ass about all of it.”

“Maybe,” I admitted, stopping directly in front of her. “But you're still here.”

“Because I signed a contract.” She hissed.

“Bullshit.” I leaned closer until our faces were inches apart. “You're here because you're curious about me. You want to know what makes me tick. What secrets I'm hiding.”

Her breath hitched, but she didn't back down. “The only secret I care about is why everyone seems terrified of you, but you haven't actually done anything threatening.”

Smart girl. Too smart for her own good.

My phone buzzed with an incoming call. Victor Kane's name flashed on the screen, and every muscle in my body tensed. I'd been expecting this call, but not in front of Lexi.

I hissed, declining the call.

But Victor wasn't the type to be ignored. The phone immediately buzzed again.

Lexi's eyes narrowed as she watched my expression harden. “Who's Victor Kane?”

Ice flooded my veins. “How do you know that name?”

“It's displayed on your phone screen, genius.” She rolled her eyes, gesturing to the device still buzzing in my hand. “But the way you just went white as a sheet suggests he's more than a business associate.”

I turned away from her, finally answering the call. “What do you want, Victor?” My voice stern.

His gravelly laugh filled the speaker. “Is that any way to greet an old friend, Cross? I hear you've been playing house with a little journalist.”

My blood pressure spiked. He has been watching me?

“Stay away from her,” I warned, my voice dropping low.

“Oh, I don't think so. See, I've been doing some digging on your little journalist. And I must say, she has a fascinating family history.” He scoffed. “Father with gambling debts, mother dead from cancer they couldn't afford to treat properly. Makes a girl desperate, doesn't it?”

I glanced back at Lexi, who was pretending not to eavesdrop while clearly hanging on every word.

“What do you want?” I repeated.

“You know what I want. What I've always wanted. The Meridian files. Give them to me, and your little pet reporter stays safe.”

The line went dead.

Lexi was staring at me now, looking uninterested. “Who was that?” She asked like I owe her an explanation.

I pocketed the phone, my mind racing through contingencies. Victor Kane is a business partner turned enemy who knew things about my grandfather's past that could destroy everything I'd built.

“No one important,” I lied.

“Don't.” She stepped closer, and I caught that citrus scent again. “Don't lie to me. I heard him mention my family.”

Fuck.

I ran a hand through my hair, pacing to the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city. My city. Every banners had my pictures on them. Every paper, magazines had my pictures.

“My grandfather wasn't always the saint I make him out to be,” I said finally, not turning around. “He made deals with dangerous people. Collected information on powerful men. Insurance policies, he called them.”

“Blackmail,” Lexi said quietly.

“Among other things.” I faced her again. “When he died, I inherited more than just money and businesses. I inherited enemies.”

"And Victor Kane is one of them." She nodded.

"The worst of them." I moved back toward her. "He wants files that could bring down half of Washington and most of Wall Street. Information my father gathered and hid before he died."

Lexi's eyes widened. "Do you have them?"

I almost smiled at her directness. Any other person would have danced around the question, afraid of the implications. But not Lexi. She wanted the truth.

“Yes.”

She absorbed this, processing the implications. "And he threatened me to get to you."

“Yes.” My brows furrowed.

“Because he thinks you care about me.” Her gaze narrowed.

The words hung in the air between us, loaded with meaning. Because the truth was, Victor was right. Somewhere along the way, this infuriating woman had wormed her way under my skin. The thought of anyone hurting her made me want to burn the world down.

"Do you?" she asked softly. "Care about me?"

I stared into those amber eyes, seeing vulnerability she rarely let show. The therapist's words echoed again. “You're falling in love.”

Maybe I was. Maybe I had been since the moment she stumbled into me at that charity gala, all fire and fury in her cheap dress.

But admitting that would change everything. Would make her a target. Would complicate the careful walls I'd built around my heart.

"I care about not getting sued if something happens to you on my watch," I said instead.

The hurt that flashed across her face was like a physical blow.

"Right." She stepped back, wrapping her arms around herself. "Of course."

My phone buzzed with a text. A photo of Lexi walking into the building this morning, a red crosshair photoshopped over her face.

Game on, the message read.

I deleted it before she could see, but the damage was done. Victor had made his move, and now everything had changed.

"I'm increasing your security detail," I said abruptly.

"What? Why?" She snapped.

“Because you're in danger now. Because of me.” I said.

And because the thought of losing her was becoming unbearable.