Lethal Temptation (by Michelle Ray) novel Chapter 79

79 (Lucian’s POV) Tina’s Schemes

Lucian

+25 Points

I woke before dawn, my chest tight with anticipation. The house I’d rented for Mara wasn’t anything grand-just a modest, quiet place tucked away where the trees stood like sentinels. It reminded me of her parents’ home. Familiar. Safe. knew she’d smile when she saw it, and that smile meant everything to me. She didn’t care for extravagance. She wanted something real. Something that felt like home.

I hadn’t told her yet, but if this place felt right to us if the walls echoed with laughter and mornings felt like peace-I’d make it permanent. I’d buy it. I was ready to start our life. A family. A future. Just

But there was still a shadow hanging over me. Martha. As long as she was free and had access to power, I wasn’t safe. Mara wasn’t safe. Darian was the only other person with anything to gain from my death, but I knew my brother. He wasn’t a killer. He was impulsive, spoiled, sure-but his heart wasn’t cruel. He loved Mara, painfully so. And though he hated how things had turned out, he

blamed our mother, not me. He wouldn’t hurt the woman he loved.

Still, it was strange how life twisted. I never saw Mara coming. Not like this. I remember the first

time I visited her home-how I sat on that weathered bench, acting like a damn fool. I was cruel. I

accused her of sleeping her way to power, called her a gold digger. She just stood there, calm,

taking it all in without a word. I thought she’d break She didn’t.

Later, I found out the truth-she was untouched, uninterested in wealth or power. And I realized

how little I knew about anything. How small I must’ve seemed to her.

Yet somehow, the goddess smiled on me. Gave me a second chance. Gave me Mara.

She was everything Tina wasn’t.

With Tina, it was always shallow-material. With Mara, it was soul-deep. She didn’t need anything from me but me. She listened. She saw me. And st, she stayed.

My father had once promised me a reward for going through with the union, a political move- another one of Martha’s cruel orchestrations. I agreed, not for the reward, but to contain the damage she could do to my name. Strange how he schemes brought Mara into my life. Her

wickedness was the road that led me to love.

Now, lying in bed beside me, Mara looked like a dream. Her bare skin glowing softly in the morning light, her curly brown hair spread across the pillow ke a halo. She was all warmth and grace and quiet fire. I never thought I’d want a woman the way I wanted her. Not just desire-though there was plenty of that-but hunger for her presence. For the sound of her breath. For the way she looked at me like I was worth saving.

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79 (Lucian’s POV) Tina’s Schemes.

I wanted her every night. And every morning, I woke wanting more.

“Come for breakfast.”

+25 Points

My father’s voice, sharp and sudden, cut through my thoughts like a blade. Even in my mind, he

was intrusive. I sighed and answered silently, I’ll be there.

But just for a moment longer, I watched her sleep, trying to memorize the way peace looked when

it had a face.

I was about to step into the shower when Tina’s voice hit me-clear, desperate.

“Lucian, please come help me. I’m bleeding.”

Panic jolted through me. My instincts kicked in, but so did memory-the lies, the manipulation. I

clenched my jaw, steadied my breath, and turned to wake Mara.

She stirred, still caught in the fog of sleep. “What’s wrong?” she mumbled.

“Put on your robe, darling,” I said gently, brushing a hand down her arm. “Tina says she’s bleeding. I

need you with me.”

She blinked, confused, but didn’t ask questions. She wrapped herself in her silk robe, tied the belt,

and followed me. By the time we reached Tina’s room, she was fully awake, and alert.

Tina sat slumped on the floor, hands slick with blood. The sight was jarring-real. Mara rushed to help, but Tina shoved her back with surprising force.

“I want the father of my child,” she snapped, glaring at Mara like she was filth.

I saw Mara’s eyes roll. Not anger. Disgust. Controlled and quiet. I linked Austin immediately.

“Austin will take you to the hospital,” I said, already backing away.

Tina stared up at me in disbelief. “You’re supposed to-” she started.

“I’m supposed to make sure you’re safe. I’m not obligated to play house with you,” I cut in coldly. ”

You pushed Mara away. You don’t want her help. Well, I’m not a doctor, and I’ve got things to do.

Austin will make sure you get there in time.”

“You bastard!” she screamed, face wet with tears. swear, I’ll tell our child everything. What a

cold, heartless monster you are. What a sick fuck!”

I didn’t flinch.

“Make sure you tell the baby the whole truth,” I said quietly. “Tell them how you trapped me. How you poisoned yourself to keep me close. Don’t forget that part.”

She lunged, tried to spit, but cried out instead-sharp pain cutting through the rage. Her body

doubled slightly, and she let out a scream.

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< 79 (Lucian’s POV) Tina’s Schemes

Austin burst into the room, and I stepped aside. “Take her,” I told him. “Now.”

He scooped her up without a word. Mara turned to leave, silent, but I reached for her.

“Let’s go,” I said.

She pulled away. “You go. I’ll meet you at the hospital.”

+25 Points

“No,” I said firmly. “There’s a line, and I’m drawing it. Tina needs to learn that I’m not hers. I won’t run to her. Not anymore.”

Mara searched my eyes. No judgment. Just worry.

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