By the time he reached his office, whatever had slipped outside that unfinished building had already been locked away again. The door closed behind him with a quiet finality, sealing the room with silence. He picked up the phone.
"Speak,"
A soft chuckle came through the line. "I trust everyone made it back safely." Scorpion said, "With their heads intact."
Lucien's expression didn't change, but something in his gaze hardened. He moved slowly behind his desk, setting on hand against its edge.
"Yes," he replied. "We did. Fortunately, you earned a place in my blacklist."
Scorpion laughed again. "Honestly, Lucien, I never wanted to. But then I felt you came for her." His tone light. "It was just a game, nothing more."
"You will stay away from my people, my men." Lucien said, but his voice remained even. "You don't want to owe me, Scorpion. It won't be pretty."
The air in the room seemed to still around the words.
Aria pushed her door open quietly, stepping inside with a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She reached for the zipper of her dress.
"Boo!"
She reacted instantly, grabbed and slammed the figure on the wall. A small yelp followed.
"Okay! It's me!"
Aria froze. "Linda?"
Linda winced slightly as she stood. "Yes. The person you almost murdered."
"You scared me.
Linda straightened, rubbing her arm. "That was aggressive. And, why are you that alert? Did something happened?"
"No, Linda. You were hiding like a rat."
She walked past her and dropped into the bed dramatically. "Apart from my parents calling to know if I'm missing or not, I'm bored." she announced. "The twin boys are nowhere to be found, and I had no one to annoy."
"Tell your parents you're safe and with me."
"I did," she said, "How did it do with your mission?"
"Have you eaten?" Aria asked, trying to change the subject and hide her cheeks.
"That's proof that something happened," Linda replied, "Start talking,"
"He kissed me,"
"What?"
Aria grabbed her arm. "It shouldn't have happened," she said, "It was a mistake."
"Wait, Linda paused, catching her breath. "I heard Scorpion isn't exactly friendly...was he that hot?"
"No, It's Lucien,"
The meeting space filled as usual, people moved with purpose, and conversations brewed. He stood at the head of the room like always and Aria noticed his gaze. They avoided hers.
"Prepare, we have visitors."
Everyone murmured quietly.
"Some of our allies will be arriving tonight to settle their debts," he continued, turning slightly toward Seth as he typed. "But we won't receive them here."
"Any specific location, sir?" Seth nodded.
"Something loud and welcoming...with ladies, of course."
Aria scoffed quietly.
"Oh, I love women." Fernando murmured.
"Security will be doubled. I don't want surprises." Lucien continued with emphasis. "Fer and Nando,"
"Si," Fernando responded.
"You will be stationed at the entrance to the private section, with Aria."
The club that night was everything he had asked for. Alive with movement and music that pulse through the air like a heartbeat. Aria stood near the entrance to the private section, small radio in hand and alert. With her short dress and heels, she looked more like an assassin than a guard. Fernando stood to one side, his posture relaxed but his gaze scanning the room.
"Too many people walking around thinking of nothing but sex," Fernando muttered, "I feel personally attacked."
"You always complain," his brother replied.
"Focus," Fernando said quietly.
Aria shook her head slightly, the smallest trace of amusement softening her expression before it faded again because her eyes found him.
He was across the room, surrounded by his guests. His posture relaxed but commanding. Dancers weaves between tables, laughter rising as some of the visitors pulled them closer, indulging the atmosphere. He entertained them like it was part of the game.
"Ah," Fernandez said suddenly., "Here comes the snake."
Aria followed his line of sight and stilled. Scorpion stood further into the club, surrounded by women who leaned to him easily, touching, drawn by the same calm presence he had shown her. He looked relaxed, like he belonged where he was.
"This is a problem. Should we go tell the collector?"
Aria's eyes narrowed slightly. "No," she moved toward the door. "Cover for me."
Fernandez straightened, his expression shifting from amused to serious. "The last time you said that, we all got in trouble."
"I will not be long,"
"Aria-"
But she was already moving, slipping past the line and stepping fully to the chaos of the club. The music swallowed her instantly, the lights shifting over her as she moved slowly through the crowd, her posture straight.
"Aria." he said, like he'd been expecting her. "You move quickly."
"So do you, Scorpion." she replied with no emotion. "Although your gift wasn't entertaining enough."
He smile deepened. "And yet," he said, glancing briefly past her toward the private section before returning to her. "You're here in one piece."
"I'm not here for impressions," she said, "I'm here to ask you what you know about my father's death."
"Your answer isn't far, Aria,"
"That's not an answer," she said, her tone tightening.
"What will you offer me?" he asked, "Afterall, you're with the debt collector and this is one of his tricks."
Aria held his gaze. "What do you want?"
"You,"
Aria didn't see him coming. One moment she was standing in front of scorpion, the weight of his words pressed quietly against his thoughts, the music rising and falling around them like a distant tide. The next, a sharp, violent bang cracked through the space as a hand slammed against the glass table beside them. Her heart lurched as she turned.
Lucien.
He stood there, close enough that she would feel the shift in the air around him, his presence swallowing the space Scorpion had occupied only seconds ago. His face was calm, composed as ever, but there was something darker beneath it. His men moved. Fernando and others were there.
"Hold him."
Scorpion was forced down, his arms restrained, his posture broken as he smiled. "You angry, Lucien?" he said, "I was having a conversation with the girl."
"With who?"
He tilt his face upward. "You mean Aria?"
Then, his hand moved. The strike was swift, the sound cutting through the loud music. Aria flinched.
"You will say her name." he leaned closer, just enough for his presence to press in further.
"Aria,"
"Good,"
"Now," he said, voice dropping. "What do you have to say to her?"
"That remains between us." Scorpion's lips curved faintly. "I will speak to her later."
"She's mine."
The words settled into the space with authority, leaving no room for interpretation. "You will not plot again, you serpent."
"Please, stop." Aria stepped forward, her voice cutting through the noise. Lucien looked at her and for a second, the anger disappeared.
"Let him go,"