XXX. Lucius Maeve
. . . . .
"But first, I want Ms. Mira Loma to leave the two of us alone." Lucius said, his tone firm.
Mira glanced between us, a hint of concern in her eyes. "Are you sure that's necessary?" she asked, clearly reluctant to step away.
Hmm. . . If we send Mira away she'll obviously report back to Dakari. I wonder if it's the best move right now.
'Oh welp, I honestly can't guarantee if Lucius have something noteworthy to say. Mira is Dakari's personnel, if she were to hear our conversation, everything said between the two of us will be leaked to him. I honestly can't have that.'
Lucius's expression hardened slightly. "This is a private matter, Mira. It's best if me and Lucrezia discuss it without outside influence."
"Do as he says, Mira." I ordered coldly.
With a reluctant nod, she stepped back and left the room, closing the door behind her.
I turned my attention back to Lucius.
"Now," he began, his voice low and serious, "we can talk freely."
"Aren't you worried that anyone will eavesdrop to our conversation? For all I care there might be a device in this room or Mira might be listening outside the room."
Lucius raised an eyebrow, seemingly unfazed. "Eavesdropping is always a risk in our world, but I have confidence in the privacy of this space."
"Oh? You seem to know your way around here huh?"
"Of course. This villa was given to Eloise after Enodia passed away."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. "So you're saying you have a claim to this place because of family ties? That doesn't exactly inspire confidence."
"Family ties can grant access and insight that others might not have. It's a double-edged sword in our world."
"Insight or manipulation?" I shot back, crossing my arms. "You seem to have a knack for the latter."
His gaze sharpened, but he held his ground. "I'm here to offer you information, not to manipulate you. But you need to understand the stakes involved."
"I understand the stakes, Lucius," I said, rolling my eyes with an exaggerated flair. "You must be here to assist me in my escape, right? Or are you just going to regale me with tales of Eloise, the head's mistress, who claimed this villa long before it fell into Dakari's hands? You know the ins and outs of this place like the back of your hand, don't you?"
Lucius's expression shifted.
I let out a scoff, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "What? Did I hit the nail on the head?"
". . . Yes, I'm here to help you escape." He whispered in a careful manner. "I'm here because a friend asked me for a favor to help you."
"And who is this friend you speak of?"
". . . Your little brother, Lorenzo."
Wait what? Surely he's bluffing? "You're not serious, are you? Lorenzo is in Russia isn't he? And we're in Italy right now."
Lucius's expression hardened, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. "Believe it or not, Lucrezia, your brother is quite naive. He was drunk when he rambled about your current situation, ranting to a stranger that his sister was somewhere, kidnapped by a bad man. The one I pieced together from his drunken tales— was Dakari."
"He knew I was kidnapped?"
"I assume he heard it from your father."
Father again? Tsk. He left me alone here with Dakari.
"Wait— stranger? You mean to say you approached my brother as a complete stranger?"
"Well. . . Yes? To him, I was a stranger but to me, I know who he was already. He's just not aware that I'm aware."
"So you just happened to find him in a drunken stupor, spilling secrets about me to someone he didn't even know?"
"Exactly," Lucius replied, his tone steady. "He was vulnerable, and in that moment, he let slip more than he realized. He became my friend then."
Lorenzo had always been too trusting, too willing to share his heart with strangers.
That's why I concluded he's not fit to become the heir before.
Sigh.
"And what did you do then? Did you just sit there and listen?"
"Well, yes," he replied, his brows furrowing in concern. "He was incredibly worried about you, and because of that, I'm here. I went straight to you without Dakari's permission. I left Russia to come here to Italy. I'm telling you, Lucrezia, it will be hard to leave his territory once you're in his grasp. How fortunate that you have a fever. It somehow postponed your trip."
"Oh well . . . another escape attempt? Haah . . . I already know this won't end well. But sure, I'll hear you out. And as for the fact that you came here without any permission from him . . ." I trailed off, my voice tinged with concern. "You're going to get into trouble."
Lucius sighed, his expression grave as he ran a hand through his hair. "I know. But I have a debt that I must pay through this."
"You made a deal with the little rascal?" I raised a brow.
"Not exactly a deal. . . It's just. . . An advance apology gift of some sort to your younger brother. He was tangled with someone he shouldn't."
I frowned, trying to piece together what he meant. "Tangled? What do you mean? Who was he involved with?"
"Let's just say that Lorenzo was. . . Ehemm— nevermind. It's best to observe how everything will be laid out in the end."
Fine. If he's not going to say anything regarding my younger brother. Alright. I do not care. I will be able to see my younger brother soon anyway.
"Very well. . . Then as for Dakari—"
BAM.
The door swung open, much to my surprise.
'Now what the fuck?' I turned to look at the door.
There Dakari stood, his presence filling the doorway like a storm cloud ready to unleash its fury.
"Huh?"
His blue eyes glinted with a mix of amusement and something far more sinister. "Well, well, what do we have here?" he said, his voice smooth yet dripping with condescension.
Another sigh escaped my lips. 'This was not how I had envisioned our escape plan unfolding.'
"Surprised to see me?" Dakari continued, stepping into the room. "I was just checking on my prized possession." He shot a glance in my direction, his smirk widening as he took in my startled expression.
Who wouldn't be startled when the door suddenly burst open? I'm also not feeling that well and I'm quite easily irritated of loud noises.
'Wait— what the fuck did he just say? Prized possession?' My startled expression immediately turned sour. "Get out." I snapped.
Dakari chuckled softly, but there was no warmth in it. "Oh, but I think we have much to discuss, don't we, my dear?" His gaze flicked to Lucius, and I could feel the tension radiating between them.
"Don't make me repeat myself, get out—"
"Lucius," he casually cut me off, his voice was low and ominous. "What brings you here? Surely you didn't think you could just waltz in and out without my knowledge?"
"Mr. Dakari Dimitri. . ." Lucius greeted as he lowered his head in a bow.
Dakari's smirk widened, clearly enjoying the display. "Ah, Lucius. Always the polite one. But tell me, what business do you have with my prized possession?" His gaze drifted toward me.
I clenched my fists, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. How dare he refer to me like that?! "I swear to g—"
"I came to check on Ms. Lucrezia Viviana. I thought it best to ensure her well-being as she will become your madam." Lucius cut me off.
Dakari chuckled, a low, mocking sound that sent a shiver down my spine. "How noble of you. But I assure you, my wife-to-be is in good hands."
I only remained silent and kept rolling my eyes at his words. 'He will just keep on yapping anyways.'
My eyes then darted on the figures peeking through the open door. It was his closest men— Laxei, Aiden, Lev, and Mikhail. They were watching the drama unfold.
Tsk. Tsk.
And here I thought Dakari beat them to a pulp somewhere.
"Yes, I can see that." Lucius agreed.
"Now tell me, what's a Maeve doing in the Villa del Dimitrius?" His eyes sharpened. "Surely you're not here for a vacation, Lucius?"
"Don't get me wrong Dakari, but I'm only here because I decided to drop by." Lucius stated.
"Well you're not welcome here." Dakari replied, his tone cold and dismissive.
"Is that so?" Lucius challenged, his brow furrowing slightly. "I believe my intentions are purely honorable."
Dakari chuckled darkly. "Honorable intentions don't mean much in my territory. You should know that by now."
I exchanged a glance with Lucius.
"Perhaps you should reconsider your presence here," Dakari continued, his gaze flicking back to me. "A Maeve's presence can stir up more than just curiosity."
". . ."
"Don't get me wrong Lucius. . . But. . . Just because you're that child's cousin doesn't mean you are free to do as you please within my territory."
"Don't bring her into this." Lucius interjected sharply, his voice firm.
Who are they talking about?. . .
"Don't do anything reckless, Lucius," Dakari warned, his piercing blue eyes narrowing as they shifted toward me. "And you, Lucrezia, how are you feeling, darling?"
He stepped closer to my bed, the soft creak of the floorboards beneath his weight barely audible in the stillness of the room.
"My headache has worsened," I said, bitterness lacing my tone as I turned my gaze away from him, trying to shield myself from the concern in his eyes. "You should leave. I don't like seeing your face."
Though, he only chuckled.
Once again, Lucius and I only exchanged glances.
It seems Dakari noticed as he leaned in closer to me as I settled against the headboard, seeking some semblance of support. "Now what the hell are you doing?" I asked, my voice laced with irritation.
He cupped my face gently, his thumb brushing against my cheek as he locked his gaze onto mine.
?
'What's up with him?'
Then, he pulled my face gently toward him, leaning in and kissing me without warning. My eyes widened in shock, the unexpected warmth of his lips igniting a flurry of emotions within me.
As I processed the kiss, I noticed how his striking blue orbs shifted momentarily to Lucius. Unsure what he wants to portray before the guy.
Lucius only cringed as he looked at us, his expression a mix of disgust and disbelief. I could even swear I saw him muttering 'ew' as if the sight was too much for him to bear.
Yet, Dakari did not stop. He devoured my lips as if he were desperate for more. "Mmph!—" I tried to pull away, a groan escaping me, but he only tightened his grip on the back of my neck, deepening the kiss further.
My hands rested on his firm chest, instinctively pushing against him, but his presence was overwhelming. I could even feel his tongue seeking entrance, coaxing my lips apart.
"Mmph!!—" I struggled, feeling the heat rising in my cheeks. My breath quickened, and I could already sense myself losing air as the kiss intensified even more. "S-stop— mmph—" My words were muffled against his lips. Hindering me from saying anything.
My eyes then slowly shifted to Lucius, searching for help, but he only shrugged and turned his back to leave the room. The door closing with a loud thud as he got out. 'Now after all that talk of helping me escape?! Traitor!'
I could already feel myself melting from the kiss, my body responding to Dakari's intensity in ways I hadn't anticipated. My vision grew hazy, the edges of the room blurring as I became lost in the sensations I'm feeling. I fluttered my eyes close, unable to bare it anymore.
I can even tell the devil is also lost in the moment. . . His tongue just kept lapping, as if it was not enough, he just kept pulling me toward him. 'T-this damned guy. . . He's a pervert!—'
This was the first time I ever had a kiss like this. Most of the time, my ex and I only pecked at the lips. What's happening now can't compare to what I experienced in the past.
"D-Dakar— mmm. . ." Alas, he just kept cutting me off everytime I attempted to protest in between gasps.
After what felt like eternity, he finally stopped and pulled away. Leaving me panting ang gasping for air. "Haah. . . Haah. . Y-you're u-unbelievable. . ." I managed to utter, my voice shaky and breathless.
Dakari's expression shifted, satisfaction flickering in his blue eyes. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that."
I narrowed my eyes. "S-so. . . You're a-admitting t-that you're a pervert? Haah. . ."
He chuckled softly, the corners of his mouth lifting in a smirk. "Maybe just a little, besides, I'm only like this to you. . ." he replied, his tone teasing yet sincere.
"Y-you have no shame. . . You even drove Lucius out."
"Maybe that's what I had intended to do from the start."
". . . Fuck you. . ." I cursed.
"I will fuck you."
'Wait— what!?' The unexpected response caught me off guard, and I could feel my cheeks heating up. "Y-you shameless bastard. . ." I stammered.
I touched my forehead with my right hand, checking my temperature as if I could somehow confirm whether this was all just a fever dream. The warmth radiating from my skin felt real enough, but the way my heart raced and my pulse quickened told me that this was anything but ordinary.
Dakari watched me with an amused expression, clearly enjoying my flustered reaction. "Are you feeling okay?" he asked, feigning concern while his eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Of course I'm fine!—" I shot back. "Leave! I'm going to sleep! I still have a fever and I need. . . Uhh. . . Rest! Yes, rest! Go! Shoo shoo!!" I ushered him away, then I went under the sheets to hide myself. Slightly peeking through the covers, watching him as he only stared, bemused.
Dakari laughed out loud, the way his face lightened up was undeniably attractive. His laughter filled the room, and for a moment, all my irritation faded away.
There was something infectious about his joy, and I found myself faintly smiling despite my earlier frustration.
"Very well. . ." He said. "Rest well, my dear."
At that, he left.
When I was certain the coast was clear I slowly lowered the covers and scrambled up. Muttering to myself, "W-what was that. . . What was that. . ." I ran a hand through my hair, trying to process everything. "Fuck. . . Am I developing Stockholm Syndrome? I've truly gone insane. . ."
How could I possibly be feeling this way about Dakari after everything?
The kiss had been intense, yes, but it also felt like a whirlwind that had swept me off my feet in the most unexpected way.
I had always prided myself on being level-headed, yet here I was, caught up in a chaotic mix of emotions that left me feeling vulnerable and confused.
"Get a grip," I told myself, trying to shake off the spiraling thoughts. "This isn't like you Lucrezia. . ."
It was just a kiss.
A damned kiss.
This can't go on like this.