"Mom, be quiet," Lucien cut in, his voice dangerously smooth as he stepped away from the door. He walked slowly toward Elena's chair, leaning down slightly to look her dead in the eye. "My mother is worried about the image. I'm worried about the facts. Because I know what I saw when I opened that door."
Elena met his gaze without a hint of fear. "You saw exactly what we wanted you to see, Lucien. We are engaged."
"I saw Alaric Hale pinning you to a bed," Lucien hissed, his jaw clenching at the memory. "The same man who has spent the last few months trying to destroy this arrangement. The same man who looked like he wanted to murder us earlier today. Suddenly, he's tearing your dress off and losing his mind kissing you? It doesn't make sense."
