Chapter seven: Legacy in the Shadows

Julian’s Pov:

I had no illusions about who I was. My father taught me that power wasn’t given; it was taken. And when my mother decided she’d take his life to seize control? That only reinforced the lesson.

“Julian,” she’d say, her voice like ice. “A man who shows weakness is a man who loses everything.”

“Like you lost him?” I’d replied once, watching her face twist.

After his death, I’d built myself into the man I needed to be—untouchable, unshakable. My name carried weight. My business? Thrived on fear and respect. Étienne and I worked with men who smiled at dinner parties and traded secrets in the shadows. Billionaires. Criminals. Often both.

“You’re quiet today,” Étienne said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“I’m thinking,” I replied, swirling the amber liquid in my glass.

“Thinking? Dangerous game, mon ami.” He smirked. “Maybe you’ve finally lost your edge?”

I shot him a look.

He shrugged, leaning back in his chair. “Just saying, a man who spends this much time thinking is one step away from making mistakes.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Mistakes are a luxury I don’t have.”

Business partners didn’t usually become friends, but Étienne Moreau was an exception. Ruthless, cunning, and as dangerous as I was, he’d proved his loyalty time and again.

Étienne chuckled but didn’t argue. We’d been partners for years. He knew exactly how I worked. Trust was a rare thing, but with him, it was never a question. Still, the last few days had left me on edge. There were cracks in the plan, and I needed to patch them before they spread.

“Any news on the shipment?” I asked, getting back to business.

“Handled,” Étienne replied, his voice smooth. “But let me ask you something—when’s the last time you had fun?”

I stared at him. “Fun?”

“You know, loosen up a little. Let yourself enjoy something. When’s the last time you took a woman home?”

I didn’t bother answering. My eyes flicked to the window. “Women aren’t my priority right now.”

Étienne raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? And the contract? How’s it going?”

I tensed. “It’s fine.”

“No complications?” His eyes bored into mine, a knowing glint in them.

I didn’t respond at first. “I don’t want a wife. Love isn’t in my vocabulary. But I need a child—an heir. Someone to carry on the Blackwood name. I want a mistress, someone submissive, who’d follow the rules without question, and She knows her place.”

“Does she?” Étienne’s tone shifted, sharp. “You sure you’re not starting to get… attached?”

“Attached?” I laughed, though there was no humor in it. “That’s not how this works.”

He leaned forward. “You’re sure? Because if you’re telling me you’re still the cold, unshakable Julian Blackwood—”

I interrupted, my voice low, dangerous. “Don’t test me.”

Étienne held his hands up in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. Just making sure. I’ve seen you get soft before. Women have a way of becoming… distractions.”

I said nothing, but the weight of his words hung in the air. I wasn’t stupid. I knew exactly what he was implying.

“I don’t get distracted,” I said finally. “And I don’t have time for mistakes.”

Étienne didn’t look convinced. “You sure? Because there’s something about this one, isn’t there? The one you’ve been keeping on a leash. She’s different. Don’t deny it.”

I stood, my chair scraping against the floor. “Drop it, Étienne.”

He didn’t back down. “She’s either going to be your downfall or your greatest asset. Don’t make the mistake of underestimating her.”

I clenched my fists. “She’s following the contract. That’s all that matters.”

Étienne watched me closely, studying me. “You know, I’ve seen men like you fall before. They get too comfortable. They get too close. And when it all comes crashing down, they don’t see it coming.”

“Focus on the business,” I said, forcing myself to change the subject. “What’s the status on the merger?”

Étienne sighed, clearly not finished with his interrogation. “It’s moving. But don’t think I’ve forgotten about your little ‘contract.’ You know I’ll keep an eye on you.”

I nodded, my mind already elsewhere. I needed to keep my distance, but something told me it wouldn’t be that easy.

“Just don’t get too close, Julian,” Étienne warned. “Women like that? They always want more than you’re willing to give.”

I didn’t respond. I didn’t need to. I knew exactly what I wanted—and it had nothing to do with feelings.

The door slammed open, and I didn’t even need to look. I knew who it was the moment the air shifted.

Victor Hale…again

Étienne stiffened, his eyes narrowing as Victor’s presence filled the room. I didn’t flinch. I didn’t need to.

Victor’s eyes locked onto mine, fury crackling in the air between us. “Stay the hell away from her,” he growled.

I raised an eyebrow. “Who, Lexi?”

His fists clenched, his voice low and dangerous. “Don’t act dumb. You know exactly who I’m talking about.”

I leaned back in my chair, unfazed. “I don’t take orders, Hale.”

He stepped forward, his eyes flashing with menace. “If you touch her, if you do anything to her, I will make sure you never breathe again.”

I stood up, matching his height with a calm that pissed him off even more. “Is that a threat?”

Victor’s lips curled into a twisted grin. “You don’t know what you’re messing with.”

I smirked. “I think I do.”

Étienne, ever the observer, looked between us, tension thick in the air. His eyes flicked to me, as if asking if he should step in. I shot him a warning look, silencing him without a word. This was my fight.

Victor jabbed a finger toward me. “If you make her part of your game, I will destroy you. I’ll bury you so deep, you won’t even know where the hell you are when it’s over.”

I didn’t blink. “I don’t scare easy.”

Victor leaned in, his voice like ice. “You should.”

The silence between us was deafening, both of us sizing each other up. Then, with a sneer, Victor turned on his heel, storming toward the door. “This isn’t over, Blackwood. Mark my words.”

The door slammed behind him with enough force to rattle the windows. I didn’t flinch.

Étienne broke the silence, his voice low. “You want me to handle it?”

I turned to face him, my expression hard. “No. I’ll deal with this myself.”

Étienne gave a short nod, but I could see the doubt in his eyes. He knew better than to push me, and I had no intention of backing down.

Victor had thrown down the gauntlet.

And now, it was time for me to pick it up.