Lucien led her into another room, Gemma was stunned by how beautiful it looked.
This wasn't just any bedroom.
The dim lighting in the room made the massive king-sized bed look even more inviting. Satin sheets, deep crimson. The walls were adorned with expensive decor, the kind that screamed wealth and power. Everything about this room screamed luxury, dominance, HIM.
Lucien sat down on the edge of the bed, his gaze never leaving her.
"Start stripping, babygirl."
His voice was calm, but there was something to it, commanding, expectant.
Gemma didn't hesitate. With a slow, practiced motion, she let her hands travel over her body as she moved to the silent rhythm in her head. she wasn't about to give him everything tho, not yet. It wasn't the time to show him her best. He had to earn that.
So she gave him her third-best performance. Just enough to keep him hooked.
She was barely five minutes in when a loud knock shattered the mood.
Lucien's jaw clenched. Annoyed, he stood up, adjusting his shirt as he walked toward the door. He cracked it open just enough to see who it was.
"WHAT?" His voice was sharp, impatient.
Gemma couldn't make out what the person on the other side said, but whatever it was, it made Lucien's expression shift. His entire demeanor changed in an instant.
He turned back to her, his face unreadable. "Get dressed. Now."
Confused, she opened her mouth to ask why, but something about the way he said it made her shut up. She quickly grabbed her clothes, putting them back on. Within seconds, two men in black suits appeared at the door.
Lucien didn't even bother to explain. He didn't offer a goodbye.
The men simply escorted her out.
---
The next day, chaos erupted.
Gemma sat on her couch, waiting the news section on the TV . The news anchor's voice was tense, serious.
"Maximus is dead."
Her stomach dropped.
Everyone in the city was aware of the war between Lucien Castillo and Maximus DeLuca. Lucien controlled half the city. Maximus controlled the other. They'd been at each other's throats for years, fighting for complete control.
And now, one of them was gone.
This wasn't just a power shift. This was war.
Maximus' second-in-command Finn, a man notorious for how violent he is, wasn't going to take this sitting down. The streets would run red with blood. The news anchor warned people to not come out of their houses, Businesses shut down immediately—bars, restaurants, even strip clubs. No one wanted to be caught in the crossfire.
-----
Gemma hadn't left her apartment in a week.
It was Sunday, and she was losing her mind with boredom. No work. No clubs. No word from Lucien.
She hated waiting.
Then her phone rang.
Unknown number.
She hesitated for only a second before picking up. "Hello?"
"Gemma."
Her breath hitched. Lucien.
"What?" she said, masking the fact that her heart had just skipped a beat.
"Need me tonight?"
"No," he replied, his voice low. "But I need you. Right now."
A chill ran down her spine. Not from fear. From something else entirely.
She didn't ask questions.
"Okay," she said and hung up.
Throwing on a simple t-shirt and trousers, she grabbed a small bag and tossed in her stripping outfits. Whatever he needed her for, she'd be ready.
When she stepped outside, she froze.
Lucien was leaning against his car, waiting for her.
For a second, she just stared.
"What are you doing here?" she finally asked.
He smirked, pushing off the car. "I'm here to pick you up."
Gemma didn't say a word. She simply walked past him, opening the car door and sliding in.
Lucien followed , started the engine, and drove.
And just like that, she was back in his world.
---
The car ride was quiet. Too quiet.
Gemma stared out the window, her fingers resting on her lap, her mind thinking of questions she wasn't sure she wanted answers to.
"Why are you so quiet?" Lucien's voice broke the silence.
"No reason," she replied without looking at him.
Lucien didn't push, but a few minutes later, he suddenly pulled the car over to the side of the road.
Gemma turned to him, Why did he stop? She thought to herself.
"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice sounded concerned .
If she didn't know who he was, she might have believed he actually cared. But this was Lucien Castillo the man who had murdered Maximus just a week ago.
The man who now owned the entire city.
She froze. She didn't know what to say, what answer wouldn't get her killed—or worse.
So she forced a small smile. "Yeah, I'm fine."
Lucien stared at her for a long moment before nodding. The car fell back into silence until he spoke again.
"Sorry about cutting our first session short a week ago. Something urgent came up that needed my attention."
Gemma's stomach twisted. Oh my God. Was that when he went to kill Maximus?
She swallowed. "Okay." That was all she said.
Lucien started the car again and drove the rest of the way to his mansion.
When they arrived, Gemma stepped out and followed him inside,He led her back to the same luxurious room where she had put on a show for him a week ago.
She placed her bag on a nearby chair, unzipping it and pulling out her stripping outfit.
"What are you doing?" Lucien's deep voice made her pause.
She glanced at him. "Aren't I here to strip?"
Lucien let out a long sigh and sat down on the edge of the king-sized bed. "No."
Gemma's brows furrowed. "Then why am I here?"
Lucien patted the space beside him. "Come here."
Hesitant, she sat down. The moment she did, he leaned in and kissed her.
She froze.
For a second, her brain couldn't process what was happening. Then, instinct kicked in, and she immediately pushed him away.
"What are you doing?" she asked, breathless.
Lucien smirked. "Uh… kissing you?"
"I don't… I can't…"
His expression shifted slightly. "You don't want to?" His brow lifted.
Gemma swallowed hard and shook her head. "No."
The moment the word left her lips, he let go of her. Just like that.
"Sorry."
She blinked. Did he just apologize?
She didn't know what to think anymore.
Lucien Castillo was a killer. A m
an feared by an entire city.
So why the hell was he being so… nice?