oth, soundless stop beneath the imposi

tride. The heavy double doors were already pulled open by the head butler, relea

d exactly the same. Immaculate, cold, and heavy

nd above all, sacrifice. Being the Revani family's stepson had never ex

aughter drifted down the hallway. It was the kind of laughter meticu

second. It had been a long time since he had heard h

b. He adjusted the cuff of his suit, sealing

Her face instantly bri

quiet, unapologetic scrutiny only a

m f

mile touched her lips as she patted the

ng table, Victor Revani set his crystal glas

're

he grandfather clock ticking i

giving you a m

band a weary glance

tating

fectly carved from ice. "There were complication

d. Results were the only acce

of roasted vegetables onto Lucien's pristine pl

ion because they couldn't afford enough for two. The instinct to refu

e doesn't co

of his jaw twit

ulder a brief, grounding squee

y rigid. He had to consciously force himself not to flinch, bu

warmth. But Lucien was a man built for war, not comfort. He didn't know how

the soft scrape of silver against porcelain. Ten minutes

osture instantly relaxi

y. Erik's suit jacket was slung casually over one sho

. She crossed the room, pulling him into a brief embrace and ki

aught up

as absolutely no reproach

easily. "I s

to the clock. "You're

ly opposite Lucien, completely u

further. He merely

d been twelve minutes late, Victor would have demanded a detailed restruc

allowed t

y eyes to his plate, the sil

ight he never had to question. They were natural together. Effortless. Perhaps that

resembled a family dinner. Midway through the main course, Victor res

heart presentation

into his steak. "It e

heard wonderful things about t

something softer, something more genuine. "The core conce

asted barely a microsecond. But i

uth. He caught the subtle softening of his stepbrother's tone. T

h

inst Lucien's fingers. He forced his grip to

nother word. Erik wasn't just impressed

rely settled in Lucien's mind when the

e his plate with absolute finality. The subtle but commanding

ited lon

fted his

board," Vi

or..." she warned gently. "Can

r way. His predatory focus remaine

hirty-fiv

I re

w exactly what com

. He simply waited, his exp

le illusion of a family dinner vanished entirely, repl

s. Every succession plan begins with absolute certainty." Victor's gaze hardened i

he company's gr

d, his tone entirely devoid of emotion. "

ent perfectly stil

less breath escaped Lucien. "I