Lucius (Acquisition Series #4) - Celia Aaron Page 0,65

self is, too.

“Hi.” I greet him as he walks through the door of the board room.

“Darling, you look utterly fuckable.” Lucius comes over and kisses me. He doesn’t care if the whole staff of Magnolia’s corporate office sees.

Linton clears his throat.

“Problem?” Sin asks.

Linton stutters out a ‘no.’

When Lucius finally pulls back, he stares down at me. “Ready?”

“Yes.”

Stella walks to my other side and peers down at the prospectus. “You’re certain this is what’s best for Magnolia?”

“I know some of the ideas in here might seem a little harsh or outlandish, but I promise you this is my best work. I’ve taken other companies far on their journeys toward large profit margins, but Magnolia is going to be the best one yet.”

Stella turns to me. “If you can convince the board and Sin—” She shoots Lucius a wry look. “You’ve already got this one in your pocket. I’m filling in for Teddy, so you’ll have to convince me as well.”

“I know, and I …” I meet her gaze. “I have a lot to make up for. For me …” God, this is so hard. “And for my brother.”

She blinks as if I’d slapped her.

Lucius and Sin share a look and leave the room, followed by an openly confused Linton.

“What your brother did isn’t your fault.” She says it through tight lips.

“I know, but I also know that the things he did to you, well, I’ll never be able to understand it all. I just want you to know that I know he was vicious and cruel to you. And I’m sorry, even if I’m not to blame for it.”

She stays silent for long moments that seem to stretch on at an agonizingly slow pace. “Red was a horrible person,” she says carefully. “There’s no doubt about that in my mind. But I have experience there. My father—he was horrible, too. I saw it, but I refused to believe it until the Acquisition. Then I couldn’t deny it any longer. I loved him anyway. Despite everything he’d done, I think he cared about me in that horrible, self-aggrandizing way that narcissists do.” She keeps peering at me, her gaze searching mine. “I understand the conflict in you. And Lucius trusts you. He and I have had our differences—plenty of them—but if he has faith in you, then I’m willing to give you a chance. A real one.” She nods, as if to herself. “Do you know how to shoot?”

“I’m not too bad, as long as the target is pretty close.”

Her lips turn up in a devious smile. “Well, yes I suppose you can. Lucius is a testament to it. So, can you fight?”

“A little. I took self-defense courses, but I’ve learned I need work.”

She finally smiles, and I realize she’s being honest with me—she really is going to give me a chance. “All right. Once we’re done with the show here and you’re rolling on the restructure—if that’s what we choose—I’m going to start your bootcamp.”

“Coming from you, that sounds terrifying,” I admit.

She laughs. “I promise, when I first met Sin and Lucius, I was soft. Like a cute little kitten with no idea how to run with the wolves.”

I vaguely know her history from catching snippets here and there from Red, but I’m still impressed by her. She’s overcome everything to be who she is.

“Next Saturday. Six o’clock. I want you at my place ready to work.” She sticks her hand out, the vining tattoos crossing the back of her hand and circling her ring finger.

“I’m scared but also excited.” I shake, her grip firm.

“Perfect.” She smiles and strides out to have a word with Sin in the hall. Lucius is waiting at the door to the boardroom, his eyes on me.

I take my box of papers and meet him there.

“How’d it go?”

“She wants to train me.”

He groans. “Fuck, you’re going to be even hotter if you know how to drop me.”

“I like the thought of that.” I sweep past him and greet the board. This time, I’m not alone. And this time, I won’t fail.

I wake up with a start, then realize Lucius has slid on top of me, his hard body pressing me down into the bed.

“Good morning,” he murmurs against my neck.

“It certainly is.” I run my hands down his back and just enjoy his kisses. Then I jolt.

“What?” He meets my gaze.

“I have to meet Stella. I won’t be late.” I push against him, but he doesn’t move.

“We’ve been working all week. Are you sure you have