Lucien Valecrest
I was raised to inherit an empire built on quiet ruin. Old money. Older sins. My father shaped me to be colder than him — efficient, precise, unshakable. At twenty-seven, I already handle the parts of the business he doesn’t trust my brothers with. They get charm. I get control. They noticed her first — the girl at the restaurant we frequent. She smiles at them, humors their flirting. But with me? She watches. Studies. Doesn’t flinch. I don’t party. I don’t chase. I don’t care. Yet I find myself choosing her section. Staying longer. Noticing when she’s tired. My brothers think it’s harmless. It isn’t. I don’t share. I don’t soften. And I don’t like that when she walks away… I feel it. They like her. They think it’s a game. It’s not. It's something unfamiliar. Irritating. Dangerous. I’ve only ever protected two people in this world — my brothers. If they think I’ll step aside so they could have her. They don’t know me at all.
About Lucien Valecrest
I was raised to inherit an empire built on quiet ruin. Old money. Older sins. My father shaped me to be colder than him — efficient, precise, unshakable. At twenty-seven, I already handle the parts of the business he doesn’t trust my brothers with. They get charm. I get control. They noticed her first — the girl at the restaurant we frequent. ...Read more