Chapter 2 In His World

I hated him.

The thought was almost a mantra I repeated to myself over and over as I paced the penthouse. The walls around me were glass-an endless expanse of New York City that stretched beneath the night sky, cold and untouchable. No matter how far I walked, I couldn't escape the feeling of being trapped.

I pressed my hands to the glass, staring down at the street below. The lights blurred together, a city in motion while I stood still, paralyzed by my own fear.

Lucien Wolfe.

The name tasted bitter on my tongue. The way he'd looked at me, like I was already his-like I had always been his-sent a shiver down my spine. The possessiveness, the certainty in his eyes... it was unnerving. As if he were a predator and I, nothing more than prey.

But I wasn't prey. Not anymore. I wasn't going to let myself be a victim.

My stomach growled, and I realized I hadn't eaten since... since the night of the auction. My mouth was dry, and I felt dizzy. He hadn't been lying about the food. It was all laid out for me: fruits, pastries, a lavish spread I had no right to touch.

The smell of freshly baked bread and grilled meats filled the room, and despite my anger and resentment, my body betrayed me. I was hungry.

I turned away from the window and walked toward the table. I picked up a pastry, almost mechanically, and took a bite, savoring the sweetness. But as the sugar hit my tongue, I couldn't help but feel guilty. Was I really going to let myself become part of his world?

I glanced at the hallway. Lucien was nowhere to be seen.

I wanted to run. I wanted to escape-to scream, to fight. But where would I go? How would I survive?

The reality of my situation hit me like a punch to the gut. I was stuck. For the next year, I was under his control, whether I liked it or not.

The thought made me sick. I couldn't just sit here and let him dictate my life. But what choice did I have?

I heard a soft sound behind me, and I whipped around, startled.

Lucien stood in the doorway, his silver eyes scanning me with that same cool detachment. His dark hair was slightly tousled, his broad shoulders filling the space like an unmovable force. The suit from earlier was gone-replaced with a simple black shirt that clung to his chest and black trousers that showed off his lean, powerful frame.

"I see you've found the food," he said, his voice like velvet-smooth and calculated.

"I'm not a prisoner, you know," I said sharply, setting the pastry down. "You don't get to treat me like one."

He took a step closer, his presence filling the room. "I don't treat you like anything yet. But I will."

I flinched at his words, but didn't back down. "You don't get to own me."

"I don't want to own you, Aria," he said, his tone surprisingly soft, almost... regretful? "But I do want to keep you safe."

"Safe?" I laughed bitterly. "From what? From you?"

He tilted his head slightly, studying me with an unreadable expression. "You don't know who's after you."

"Who's after me?" My voice was sharper than I intended, but my heart was pounding now, my pulse quickening. I couldn't shake the feeling that everything was a lie. This entire world-his world-was a lie.

"Someone who's far more dangerous than I am," Lucien replied calmly. "Someone who's been hunting you for a long time."

I took a step back. "You've been hunting me?" I said incredulously. "You've been watching me?"

"I told you. I make it my business to know things," he replied, his eyes hardening. "I'm not the one you need to be afraid of, Aria."

The chill in his voice cut through me. I wanted to argue, to yell at him, but his words hung in the air, heavy and oppressive.

Who was he talking about? What danger could possibly be lurking in the shadows of my life that was worse than Lucien Wolfe?

"I don't need your protection," I said, though my voice trembled slightly. "I can handle myself."

Lucien smirked, and the arrogance in that smile sent a shiver down my spine. "I'm sure you can. But it doesn't hurt to have someone who's better at it."

I glared at him, but the words didn't come. What was I supposed to say? He was right. I didn't know what the hell was going on, and I didn't know who was out there, waiting to strike.

I didn't trust Lucien, not for a second. But I didn't trust myself to face whatever dangers were out there alone either.

I folded my arms across my chest, turning away from him. "What do you want from me?"

Lucien didn't answer right away. Instead, he walked across the room, his steps deliberate, measured. The way he moved was fluid, effortless. Every motion calculated, as though he had all the time in the world.

When he spoke again, his voice was quieter, but there was something dangerous underneath. "I want you to understand that you don't get to make the rules anymore. Not here."

I turned back toward him, meeting his gaze. "Then what do you want me to do?"

He took a step closer, his body almost in mine now, his scent-wood and leather-overwhelming my senses. His presence was intoxicating, dangerous in a way I couldn't fully comprehend.

"I want you to survive," he said quietly, his voice low and dark. "But you have to trust me, Aria. No one else will help you."

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. "And if I don't?"

His lips curved into a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Then you won't survive."

I stared at him for a long moment, the words sinking in deeper than I wanted them to. Despite myself, despite my hatred for him, I felt something stir inside me-a reluctant sense of... fear.

He wasn't lying.

"Where do I sleep?" I asked, my voice hoarse.

Lucien didn't answer immediately. Instead, he motioned toward the hallway. "Upstairs. The guest suite. You'll be more comfortable there."

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. I didn't want to thank him. I didn't want to show any weakness. But as I turned and walked toward the staircase, I couldn't help but glance back over my shoulder.

He was still watching me.