Selene hesitated for only a second before stepping out of the room, brushing past Lucian as she made her way downstairs. She could feel both brothers' eyes on her, one filled with cold possession, the other with silent warning.
Ethan's touch still lingered on her skin, a ghost of a sensation that sent her thoughts spinning.
But Lucian was dangerous in a way Ethan wasn't.
And right now, he wanted her alone.
The Blackwood estate was eerily quiet, the dim lighting casting long shadows along the walls. Every step Selene took echoed through the vast halls, making the silence feel heavier.
Lucian walked beside her, his presence overwhelming, his every move controlled. He was always one step ahead. Always in charge.
He led her into a private study and shut the door behind them with a soft click.
Selene took a steadying breath as he turned to face her, his icy blue eyes locking onto hers.
"What was that upstairs?" His voice was calm, too calm. But underneath it, there was something darker. Something dangerous.
She crossed her arms, trying to sound unaffected. "What are you talking about?"
Lucian let out a low, humorless chuckle. "Don't play dumb, Selene. You and Ethan. Do you think I didn't notice?"
She lifted her chin. "And if I was with him? Why does it matter to you?"
Lucian's jaw tightened. "Because it does."
The words cut through the air like a blade.
He stepped closer, and despite herself, Selene's breath caught.
"You belong to me," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her face. His touch was deceptively gentle, but there was no mistaking the claim in his voice.
Selene held her ground. "I don't belong to anyone, Lucian."
His lips curled, somewhere between a smirk and a warning. "Oh, sweetheart…" He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You already do. You just haven't realized it yet."
Her heart pounded.
She hated the way he could unravel her with just a few words.
Hated the way he knew it, too.
Before she could say anything, Lucian's phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen, and his expression darkened.
Turning away, he gripped the edge of his desk.
Selene took a cautious step forward. "What is it?"
Lucian didn't answer right away. When he finally did, his voice was low and dangerous.
"There's been a breach in the company's security system." His eyes flicked back to her, sharp and assessing. "And I don't think it's a coincidence."
Selene frowned. "You think someone's after you?"
Lucian exhaled slowly. "Not just me."
His gaze burned into hers.
"They're after you, too."
Selene's stomach twisted at Lucian's words.
They're after you, too.
She barely had time to process what that meant before his phone buzzed again. He answered immediately, his expression sharpening.
"Talk." His voice was clipped, all business.
Selene watched as his jaw tensed, his icy-blue eyes darkening. Whoever was on the other end wasn't giving good news.
"When?" Lucian demanded, pacing toward the window. "And what exactly did they take?"
Selene's heart pounded. She'd been around the Blackwood brothers long enough to know that when Lucian got this serious, it wasn't just about business. It was personal.
A moment later, he ended the call, shoving his phone into his pocket.
"Lucian…" Selene stepped closer, her voice low. "What's going on?"
He turned to her, his gaze like steel. "Someone hacked into our private files. But they weren't after money. They went straight for information about you."
Her breath caught. "Me?"
He nodded. "Your name, your history, your ties to the company…it was all accessed. Someone's digging."
A chill ran down her spine. "Who would do that?"
Lucian was quiet for a moment, then exhaled sharply. "I don't know for sure. But I have a good idea."
Before she could ask, a knock at the door made them both turn. Ethan.
His presence was an immediate contrast to Lucian's cold intensity. Dressed in dark jeans and a fitted shirt. top buttons undone, he looked effortless. Relaxed. But Selene knew better. Underneath his easy charm was someone just as ruthless as his brother.
"I heard," Ethan said, his voice quieter than usual. His eyes flicked to Selene before settling on Lucian. "This wasn't random."
Lucian scoffed. "No shit."
Ethan ignored the jab and stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "So, what's the plan?"
Lucian didn't hesitate. "We increase security. Lock down our networks. And Selene stays here where it's safe."
Selene frowned. "You can't just lock me away like some prisoner."
Lucian's gaze darkened. "This isn't up for debate."
Ethan folded his arms. "And what if she doesn't want to stay?"
Lucian's head snapped toward him. "Then she's making a stupid decision."
Selene had had enough. "I'm standing right here," she snapped. "And I'm not some fragile little thing that needs to be hidden."
Lucian stepped closer, his presence suffocating. "You have no idea what kind of threats we're dealing with."
"And whose fault is that?" she shot back. "You keep me in the dark, then expect me to follow orders?"
Lucian exhaled through his nose, his frustration barely contained.
Ethan smirked. "She's got a point."
Lucian's glare could have melted steel.
Selene turned to Ethan. "Do you know who's behind this?"
Ethan hesitated, then nodded. "We've got plenty of enemies. But there's one in particular who'd love to get leverage over us."
Lucian's expression turned to stone. "Vincent Rossi."
Selene blinked. "Who?"
Ethan's jaw tightened. "A former business partner. Turned rival."
Lucian's voice was ice. "And he has a habit of going after the people we care about."
A knot tightened in Selene's stomach.
This wasn't just about her. It was about power. Control. Whoever this Vincent was, he wasn't just looking for information.
He was sending a message.
Lucian turned to Ethan. "We handle this now. Before he gets any closer."
Ethan nodded. "Agreed."
Selene clenched her fists. "And what about me?"
Lucian's gaze softened, just slightly. "You're staying here."
She knew arguing wouldn't change anything. Not tonight.
But as she looked between the two brothers, she realized something.
This wasn't just their fight anymore.
She was part of it now.
And the deeper she got, the harder it would be to get out.