Page 97 of Lucian

The invite for the celebration was open to anyone of their family, old friends, and the Cosa Nostra. Jordyn was learning more names than she could keep track of, Lucian knew, but she was enjoying herself, nonetheless. The only rule that really applied to birthdays when it came to the brothers was that they asked for no gifts. They already had more than enough, their wealth could be astounding. Instead, they only wanted people to enjoy themselves.

Lucian also decided he loved watching Jordyn surrounded by people so curious and questioning. She was doing remarkably well and holding her own. Jordyn didn’t seem the least bit overwhelmed by the attention. Frankly, her presence was giving him a break from some of his family he didn’t like all that much, even if he needed to be respectful. Others, like Kate, who unfortunately did show up, kept her voice that could bend steel at a dull roar in the crowd. At least she’d stayed away from Lucian so far, and Jordyn, too.

Plus, Lucian simply couldn’t keep his eyes off Jordyn for too damned long because she looked amazing. A tight red number hugged her curves, showcasing long, smooth legs and creamy flesh. The dress plunged just enough in the front to keep someone’s gaze on the diamonds around her neck, but the deep V that ended just above the rounded swell of her ass put cherry blossoms and skin on display. Lucian was a little more than smug at the fact his girl didn’t have any makeup on but for a bit of mascara to fan those thick lashes and a ruby lipstick that drew attention to the natural pout of her mouth. She didn’t need more. The woman was sexy as hell without it. The matching red pumps only added to her shapely figure, and accentuated the sway in her walk.

Every time she turned, someone was looking.

Lucian was grinning like an idiot. He thoroughly enjoyed showing Jordyn off because something that beautiful shouldn’t be hidden.

As long as nobody touched her.

That was his rule. So far, it’d been adhered to.

He would not hesitate to cut someone if it was broken, though.

Lucian leaned back to a wall, having finally managed to slip away from some of the guests and family celebrating. In the shadows where he could be alone and unbothered, he watched Jordyn intermingle with Marcello people as if it was second nature.

It was only when a form sidled up to his that he tensed.

“Happy early birthday,” Kate said before tipping up a red drink to take a sip.

Lucian didn’t know how many times he was going to have deal with putting up with this vile woman before she finally moved on to someone else to torture. Of course, most times he gave it back to Kate as hard as she dished it to him. It wasn’t like he took her bullshit sitting down.

“I’d say thank you, but coming from you, I know it isn’t genuine.”

“Ah, you’d be correct,” Kate replied with a sardonic smirk. “Nonetheless, Cecelia would be in a terrible fit if I ignored you all night. She notices these things.”

Lucian resisted the urge to grind his teeth. “That would have been a great birthday gift to me if you had. For the record, she also notices when you piss me off. She won’t be pleased if you work my nerves tonight.”

“I’m sure.” Kate sighed, setting a hand to her hip as she followed Lucian’s gaze out to the crowd where Jordyn was laughing at Antony’s side. “Jordyn does look lovely in red.”

Lucian almost swallowed his tongue in shock. Truthfully, Kate and Jordyn had only interacted a handful of times. Usually during Sunday dinner at the Marcello home after church, and they were both mutually respectful, though the disdain was clear. He wasn’t sure if he should thank her for the compliment or not. Kate’s next comment brought back her usual attitude to the forefront, reminding Lucian everything she did was only for her image.

“It just goes to show, I suppose.”

Oh, Lucian didn’t even want to know.

Because he was clearly in the mood to be annoyed, he asked anyway. “What’s that, Kate?”

“Trash can be shined into something useable and pretty,” she said, sighing. “But, I shouldn’t be surprised. Just look what my sister and her husband made of you.”

For a brief moment, Lucian was far too stunned to speak. His hands balled into tight fists at his sides. Never had he wanted to hurt a female like he did this one. The gull of her was unbelievable. If there was ever a perfect example of someone who needed kicked the fuck off her pedestal, Kate was it. Then, the anger took over the shock.

“Did you just call Jordyn trash?” Lucian asked, his tone taking on a threatening quality.

Kate didn’t seem affected by it in the least. “I did my research on her. Just curious, you see, as Cecelia and Antony both told me to mind my manners and stay out of it.”

“As you should have,” Lucian spat. “My private life is not, nor has it ever been, your business.”

“I understand why they wouldn’t want to talk about her now, of course. It’s almost downright shameful that’s the kind of woman you’d pick considering the choice of females you have. It’s crazy how much you two have in common, so I’m not surprised you get along so well. Lost little orphans, practically. Playing around with people far beyond your league. Fathers who didn’t want either of you. Whores for mothers. Two peas in a pod, you and her. I’d be willing to bet your children will be lovely little brats—a spoiled throwaway for a father, and garbage for a mother.”

Lucian pushed off the wall so fast everything around him was a blur. Before Kate could move out of the way, he’d crowded her to the wall, glaring down on her like the bitch she was. The fury in his body tightened his chest to a point where he couldn’t breathe. Never had Kate been as vicious in her words as she was tonight.

“You cunt,” Lucian snarled lowly.

“Ouch, that’s a nasty word, Lucian.”

Lucian sneered. “If it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck, it’s probably a fucking cunt of a duck.”