Adrian & Lucian
Adrian didn't look up when Lucian entered the study.
He didn't need to.
The moment the door opened, he already knew who it was. The footsteps were too controlled to be Simone's, too heavy to be Allison's, and far too cautious for Elias.
Lucian closed the door behind him with quiet care.
Adrian kept his attention on the files spread across the desk.
"I was wondering how long you planned on standing outside my daughter's room."
Lucian's jaw tightened.
He said nothing.
Adrian finally lifted his eyes.
Sharp. Calm. Unforgiving.
Lucian didn't bother lying.
"I needed to speak with her."
Adrian leaned back slightly in his chair.
"At midnight?"
"She was upset."
"She's been upset for weeks."
Lucian held his gaze.
"That doesn't mean I should ignore it."
For a moment, the room went still.
Adrian studied him.
Not like a father meeting his daughter's suitor.
Like a man deciding whether another man was a liability.
