Lucian nodded slowly, eyes shifting from Crystal to Alexa, unsure if he had passed or failed whatever invisible test was being run on him.
Crystal didn't linger on him. She looked toward Alexa before returning her attention to Lucian. "So tell me, how did the job go?"
Lucian straightened his shoulders. "I managed to deliver the package to him."
Crystal's smile pulled wider, almost as though she was expecting a complication. "But?"
Lucian hesitated, then answered. "But he told me he doesn't care about any obstacles or problems you've had. He wants his products next month, and the rest after that."
Crystal's smile thinned. For a brief second, Lucian thought he saw it fade completely, but then it returned just as sharp. "Mmh… getting brave, aren't we?" She leaned back in her chair. "Alexa, make sure our friend here gets his first meeting with him."
Lucian frowned slightly but didn't say a word. He wanted to ask what that meant, but his instincts told him to keep his mouth shut.
Crystal reached for something inside the drawer beside her and placed a brown envelope on the table. "Here," she said plainly, sliding it to the edge.
Lucian stepped forward. His hand reached out, but before he could take it, Crystal's fingers wrapped around his wrist.
His chest tightened. He gave a small tug to free himself, but she didn't let go. For her size and age, her grip was strong—unnaturally strong.
She locked eyes with him. "I took you in as a favor to your father. But from here on out, you earn your place. There will be no special treatment, no exceptions." Her voice hardened. "And I expect your full loyalty. Leave now if you can't give me that, because once you enter my family, if you betray my family…" her grip tightened, "…you won't have one left."
Lucian's breathing picked up. He forced it down, keeping his face still. "I won't," he said, voice low.
Her lips curled into a smile. She finally let him go. "Good. Unfortunately, we don't just hand over trust. You'll accompany Alexa with some of my people to deal with Russell. After that, we'll hold a ceremony. Your entrance into the family."
Lucian pulled his hand back and nodded. His gaze moved to Alexa, who was standing with arms crossed, her expression unreadable.
"Okay," he said.
"Now Lucian leave us"
He paused looking at both at them before he nodded and walked to the door.
Lucian stopped at the door when Crystal dismissed him. He looked back once more, then stepped out.
The walk down the hall felt longer than it was. His chest was tight, his mind replaying what just happened.
He had been threatened before. Hell, he'd even had a gun pressed into his back earlier tonight. But this was different.
This was the first time he truly felt the weight of what he had stepped into. It wasn't just talk anymore. It was real.
His thoughts were broken by a calm voice.
"Mr. Lucian, would you like a drink?"
He turned. The maid stood nearby, holding her hands neatly in front of her.
"Sure… yeah," he said, more out of instinct than anything else.
She nodded and left. Lucian sat down on the couch, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. His mind still churned, thoughts chasing themselves in circles.
After a short wait, the maid returned carrying a small silver tray. On it was a single glass, filled halfway with a dark amber liquid. She set it down on the table in front of him.
"This is aged rum," she explained. "From the Caribbean. Stronger than most are used to. Sip slowly."
Lucian picked up the glass. He hesitated, looking at the color of the drink as it caught the light. Then he took a small sip.
The taste hit him immediately, sharp, bitter, with a burn that spread across his tongue and down his throat.
He coughed once, unable to hold it back, then pressed his lips together as the warmth settled in his chest.
He leaned back against the couch and exhaled through his nose. "Damn… that's strong."
The maid gave a small smile, almost like she had been expecting that reaction.
Lucian looked at the glass again. It wasn't pleasant, but the aftertaste carried something smoother, something that made him take another cautious sip.
This time he didn't cough, but the burn was still there, reminding him he was far from used to it.
Back inside the office, Crystal leaned back in her chair, her eyes fixed on Alexa.
"Tell me, what do you think?" she asked.
Alexa kept her posture straight. "Madame, I think he does have potential. He seems to have the will to do what's needed."
Crystal chuckled quietly, shaking her head. "You mean desperate."
Alexa gave a small nod, not denying it.
"Desperation is a dangerous trait," Crystal continued. "If he had something of real value to offer, I'd view him differently. But he's merely a child. Desperation leads to rash decisions, and rash decisions cause trouble."
"I'll keep an eye on him," Alexa said.
"Please do," Crystal replied, her voice firm. She paused, tapping a finger against the desk. "If possible, get close to him. I want to understand why Diego would send his son into this world. It makes no sense to me. I want to know what he knows."
"Understood, Madame," Alexa said.
Crystal leaned forward slightly. "And one more thing. Take Snapper with you when you deal with our friends at the bar. Watch Lucian closely. I want to see how far he's willing to go."
"Yes, Madame."
Crystal dismissed her with a flick of her hand. "You can leave."
Alexa gave a small bow of her head and turned, her heels clicking against the polished floor as she left the office.
Alexa stepped into the living room.
Lucian was sitting on the couch, a glass resting in his hand.
His eyes weren't on the drink though; they were distant, fixed somewhere past the wall.
The tension in his shoulders and the way he tapped the edge of the glass with his thumb gave away how restless he was.
For a moment, Alexa just stood there, watching. From a distance, with the drink in his hand and that look on his face, he almost carried the weight of someone important. Someone powerful.
She shook her head. He wasn't there yet, not even close.
"Come on," she said finally, breaking the silence. "You're leaving."
Lucian blinked, as if waking up from his thoughts. He set the glass back on the tray and rose to his feet.