Chapter 631
Chapter 631:
Liam’s face went pale, then dark. He slammed his fist onto the table.
“He’s going to sell her p>
“He’s going to try,” Alistair said. “We hit them at 10:00 PM. When the main event starts p>
“Why 10 p>
Alistair tapped a device on the table—an EMP generator disguised as a cigarette case.
“That’s when the lights go out p>
The afternoon sun slanted through the high windows of the basement, casting long, prison-bar shadows across the rug. Lucian descended the stairs, the red dress draped over his arm like a shroud.
“Wake up,” he said, kicking the cage.
Skye stirred, groaning. She sat up, rubbing her eyes.
“Bath time,” Lucian announced. “You smell like despair p>
He unlocked the cage. Two guards hauled Skye out and marched her into the adjoining bathroom. It was stark white, tiled floor to ceiling.
Tessa was waiting there, filling a claw-foot tub. Steam filled the room.
“Wash her,” Lucian ordered from the doorway. “Every inch. I want her pristine p>
He watched for a moment, his gaze lingering on Skye’s naked back as she stripped off her rags. Skye felt his eyes like physical touches—slimy and cold. She forced herself not to shiver.
Lucian finally turned away, leaving the door slightly ajar.
As Skye sank into the water, Tessa leaned close with a sponge.
“It’s done,” Tessa whispered against Skye’s ear. “Under the powder puff p>
Skye nodded imperceptibly. She washed quickly, scrubbing away the dirt and the feeling of the cage.
When she stepped out, wrapped in a towel, Lucian was waiting in the main room. He was sitting on the velvet sofa, holding a glass of scotch.
𝘞е𝖾𝗄ly 𝗋𝗲𝘭еа𝘀eѕ оn 𝖻е.𝗰o𝘮
Skye walked out, feigning a stumble. She caught herself on the doorframe.
Lucian stood. He walked over to her. He reached out and touched her wet hair, tucking a strand behind her ear.
“You look like her,” Lucian whispered. His eyes were glazed, distant.
“Like who?” Skye asked, her voice raspy.
“My mother,” Lucian said. “She was beautiful too. Before she broke p>
Skye saw it then. The crack in the armor. The mommy issues. The deep-seated need for control that stemmed from abandonment.
She decided to gamble.
She didn’t pull away. Instead, she leaned slightly into his touch.
She looked up at him with wide, glassy eyes.
“Lucian,” she murmured. “It’s lonely at the top, isn’t it p>
Lucian froze. His hand stilled on her cheek. His pupils dilated.
For a second, he wasn’t a crime lord; he was a startled boy.
“What did you say?” he breathed.
“Nobody understands you,” Skye whispered. “They just fear you. But I… I see p>