Page 44 of Goldflame
Lorenzo watches this exchange with quiet interest, his fingers drumming against the tabletop. There’s something about this guy—something in the way he studies everyone and doesn’t seem to have the same intimidation of me—that sets me on edge.
I groan. I can’t take any more of this shit tonight. “We’re done.”
“But—” someone starts to say.
“I said we’re done!”
I hear a few grumbles but everyone stands and starts to gather their things.
Lorenzo lingers as the others file out, his movements unhurried as he collects his papers. There’s something deliberate in the way he stays behind, something calculated in his casual posture.
“A word, Julian?” he asks, his Italian accent thickening the syllables of my name.
I lean back in my chair, keeping my face carefully blank. “Make it quick.”
He approaches, hands sliding into his pockets. “I couldn’t help but notice Aurelia at the Harvest festival,” he says, and something hot and volatile ignites in my chest at the way her name sounds in his mouth. “She seemed… unwell.”
“She’s fine,” I reply. “And why the fuck would it be your business?”
He remains collected. “It’s not. I just wonder…” He glances at a plant in the corner. “Well, perhaps she needs fresh air. A change of scenery.” His eyes meet mine again, and the meaning behind them is unmistakable. “I have a property just outside the city. Private. Secluded. We might be able to come to some agreement?—”
“I’m not interested.” The response snaps out, sharp as a whip.
“Of course.” He nods. “Just an offer. I understand how… distracting such situations can be when trying to lead. Just thought I might take some burden off.”
The implication slithers beneath my skin—that Aurelia is a distraction, that I’m too weak to handle her and the Consortium simultaneously, that he’s offering to take her off my hands like she’s nothing more than a problematic asset to be transferred.
Like she’s a thing to be passed around.
Like she means nothing to me.
“Get out,” I say, my voice deceptively soft, hiding the rage bubbling just beneath the surface.
Lorenzo inclines his head, unbothered by my dismissal. “As you wish.” He turns to leave, pausing at the door to add, “The offer stands, should you reconsider.”
The door closes behind him, and the room is now empty except for me. I’m left with the distinct impression of being circled by a predator who’s found a weakness in my defenses.
And it’s very clear now: Lorenzo wants her. But most men do. She’s the Golden One.
Valentine, who was standing guard outside, enters the room. His expression shifts when he sees mine. “Problem?”
“No.”
He nods. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“I do.” I point at the seat that was empty the entire meeting. “Who bailed tonight?”
“I’ll check.” He swipes through his tablet for a moment. “Lucas Carter. Said he was out of town. Some emergency at his Las Vegas operation.”
“Convenient timing.”
Valentine’s eyes narrow slightly. “It’s disrespectful. Missing your first official meeting as leader.”
“Almost like he doesn’t recognize my authority,” I observe, watching Valentine’s reaction carefully. “Or like he has something to hide.”
Valentine looks unmoved. “Possibly. But is it worth your time to deal with him now?”
“I’ll decide that,” I tell him.Fuck, he’s always trying to micromanage.If he wasn’t Aurelia’s stepfather, and if Mom didn’t insist that we need him around, I’d fire him in a heartbeat.
