CORINNE
It was barely the start of a new week, and somehow Lucian fucking Delacroix had already managed to get under my skin again.
I hated that I was even thinking about it, but there was no ignoring the way he kept looking at me.
He’d looked at me this morning with something close to dark delight, if that was even a thing.
Like he knew something I didn’t and was enjoying every second of it.
Now his gaze felt different.
It looks like he was trying to peel me apart with his eyes.
Which made zero sense.
I know for a fact that man does not know me.
If he did, he wouldn’t be standing there silently brooding.
He would’ve already pounced on the opportunity to be petty, confrontational, or downright annoying.
So why exactly was he staring at me like I’d walked off with a controlling share of his precious empire?
He’d ditched the tie today.
The first two buttons of his shirt were undone, the fabric pulling just enough to show skin.
Skin my hands had been on—there had been fabric between us—but still.
I bent my head and rolled my eyes hard, suddenly understanding why the female staff spent half their time squealing and whispering like they’d lost all sense.
This.
This was why.
The kids were still clinging to my arms, when Lucian motioned toward the man by the car.
Security?
Chauffeur?
You can never tell with these rich assholes.
I bumped fists with the boys and watched till they were safely strapped in, only then did I turn my attention back to the six-foot-something wall of brooding arrogance standing in front of me.
God help me, I still hadn’t shaken the urge to kick him in the balls for the childish nonsense he’d pulled on Saturday.
I crossed my arms, lifting my chin just a little then cleared my throat.
“Did you perhaps receive the mail I sent concerning the school’s fundraising event?” I asked.
“Yes.”
I frowned before I could stop myself.
“The mail wasn’t responded to.”
”That’s because I won’t be coming.”
Internally, I fist-pumped.
One less snobbish, difficult parent to manage, and in the case of Lucian Delacroix, that was like cutting the workload by ten.
“Oh.
Why not?” I asked in mock concern.
“Not interested.”
Of course.
“Okay then.”
I waved him off, clearly done with the conversation, but he didn’t move.
I looked up at him again.
“Do you have any other concern, sir?”
His gaze sharpened and he lost that bored indifference.
“What did Eli say to you?”
My brows pulled together.
“What are you talking about?”
”Last week Monday,” he said.
“He whispered something to you.”
I searched my memory, flipping through the days until it clicked.
Last week Monday was the first day he’d shown up himself.
When did Eli whisper—
That.
He looked at me expectantly when I perked up in remembrance.
I folded my hands in front of me, schooling my face.
“I’m sorry,” I said evenly, “but I don’t remember.”
”You look like you do,” he replied at once.
Of course I did.
I remembered.
I just wasn’t about to hand it over to him on a silver platter.
How long had he been sitting on this question anyway?
And why was he asking now?
Honestly, what was this, an interrogation?
He was acting like a sulky five-year-old himself.
“I speak to a lot of children every day, Mr Delacroix,” I added.
“I can’t possibly remember every single baby talk.”
His eyes didn’t leave mine.
“What did he say?”
Eli’s soft voice replayed in my head.
‘Please don’t be mad at dada.
He’s not mean, he’s just sad.
I’ll paint you a dinosaur every day so you won’t be mad at him.’
My chest tightened despite myself when he’d said that and when he made me pinky swear.
I hate to disappoint Elias, but how will I tell him adults lie all the time without breaking the baby’s heart?
I kept my face blank.
“Nothing out of the ordinary,” I said.
“Just normal kid talk.”
He didn’t look convinced.
If anything, his glare deepened.
Lucky.
That was the word that burned the loudest in my head.
Lucian Delacroix should feel so fucking lucky he had children like that.
Who would imagine an autistic five-year-old would pick up on tension, and try to shield his own father from it?
Try to fix something he didn’t even fully understand.
And judging by the way Lucian was staring at me now, I couldn’t help but wonder if he even deserved them.
“Do you have more to say, sir?” I asked again, my smile sweet but the sir dipped in just enough sarcasm.
His jaw tightened.
“That will be all,” he grumbled, already turning away.
I watched him walk off, all stiff shoulders and controlled strides, until the car pulled away from the curb and disappeared down the street.
The second it was out of sight, my smile slid right off my face.
I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I knew by heart.
She picked up on the second ring.
“Have you found anything?” I asked, lowering my voice even though there wasn’t a single soul around.
“Answer the question, Maya.”
She sighed, the playful tone dropping.
“Lee, you’re asking me to hack into a cybersecurity company’s database.
Not just any company.
Delacroix.
Do you have any idea how insane that is?
It’s taking me forever, all their systems breathes firewalls.”
I rubbed at my forehead, already feeling the pressure build.
“I’m not asking for a miracle.
I’m asking if there’s anything.”
”Nothing new,” she said after a beat.
“Aside from what you already know.
And trust me, if I find so much as a crack, you’ll be the first person I call.”
”What about the package sent to my office?”
”I ran through the building’s security feed,” she said.
“Nothing.
Whoever dropped it off either knew exactly where the cameras don’t reach, or you’ve somehow managed to piss off a very determined ghost.”
She caught my sigh.
“It’s just a fucking necklace, Lee.
It could be from an admirer.”
Except it was signed with three familiar letters.
xxx.
I only knew one person who ever used that.
I swallowed the thought back and reached for safer ground.
“How’s school going?”
There was a brief silence on the line.
“Why?
Are you looking for another burden of mine to lessen?” she said finally.
“We’re not even fucking blood related.
Stop acting like my mother.”
I breathed out slowly, but she was already going.
“And for fuck’s sake, stop sending me money.
I can take care of myself, thank you very much.”
”Fine,” I muttered.
“I was just asking.”
”Well, don’t,” she snapped.
I closed my eyes, phone pressed tighter to my ear.
Yeah.
This was clearly not the right time for this conversation.
“Just… let me know if you find something,” I said.
“I will,” she replied, softer now.
I ended the call before either of us could say something we’d regret.
For a long moment, I stood there staring at the stretch of road where Lucian Delacroix’s car had vanished, my reflection faintly staring back at me from the glass doors behind.
My fingers curled around my phone.
“For the sake of your sons… you’d better hope you’re innocent.” I murmured under my breath.
Because if you’re not, Lucian Delacroix, I won’t hesitate to burn everything you touch to the ground.