Lucien's smirk faded, his gaze turning cold. "I'm not interested in peace right now. I didn't even come after you after killing Maximus, guess that was a mistake. I should've buried you two together." He took a step closer, his voice dropping dangerously low. "But it's not too late."
Kol chuckled, unfazed. "You're alone right now, Lucien. You really wanna take on ten men by yourself?" He gestured around at his men, all armed and watching intently. "I mean, I get it, you're powerful, people fear you and all but come on, Lulu, even you have limits." He grinned. "Wait, I can call you Lulu, right?"
Lucien smirked. "Who said I was alone?"
Kol's expression shifted instantly. His confidence wavered. "What do you mean by that?" he demanded.
Lucien tilted his head. "Look around."
Kol hesitated, then his eyes darted to the shadows. His breath hitched.
Armed men stood on every side of the rooftop, dressed in tactical gear, their weapons aimed at him. They were everywhere silent, deadly, waiting for the order.
Panic set in. The color drained from Kol's face as his cocky demeanor crumbled.
Lucien chuckled darkly. "What's wrong, Koko? Cat got your tongue?"
Lucien sneered. "How did you even think you could take over Maximus' operation with that pathetic excuse of a brain?"
"Now, bring me to her."
Kol swallowed hard, fear flashing in his eyes. He turned toward the house, his steps hesitant. Lucien followed, his patience thin.
But nothing could have prepared him for what he saw.
Gemma was tied to a chair, her body showed signs of brutality. Bruises covered her skin, her left leg twisted unnaturally. One eye was swollen shut. Dried blood stained her lips. She had been tortured.
A muscle in Lucien's jaw twitched. His fingers clenched into fists.
He pulled out his phone, dialed a number, and uttered two chilling words. "Kill them all."
The air outside erupted with gunfire. Screams followed. Kol flinched and turned to run.
"One more step, and I'll make sure your death is so gruesome the devil himself will turn away," Lucien warned.
Kol froze.
Lucien pulled a knife from his pocket and stalked toward him, each step slow and deliberate.
"Lu—L-Lucien, wait! I'm sorry, okay?! I just wanted half the city! Can't you just let me have that?" Kol stammered, moving backward, desperation in his eyes.
Lucien scoffed. "Kol, you're disappointing me. Weren't you supposed to be some deranged psychopath? Guess the rumors weren't true, huh?"
Kol opened his mouth to plead, but Lucien struck.
The knife plunged into Kol's neck.
He choked, his hands clawing at his throat, blood gurgling from his lips. His terrified eyes begged for mercy.
Lucien glanced at Gemma. She was barely conscious, her one good eye struggling to stay open.
His fury deepened.
Without hesitation, he twisted the knife deeper. Kol's body convulsed. A few moments later, Lucien yanked the blade free and severed his head completely.
Blood pooled at his feet, but Lucien barely noticed.
He turned to Gemma, untying her gently. She whimpered as he lifted her into his arms.
"You're safe now, baby," he murmured.
Before leaving, he cast one last look at Kol's lifeless body, then turned to his men.
"Clean up this mess," he ordered coldly.
His men nodded, already moving to dispose of the bodies and erase every trace of the massacre.
Without another glance, Lucien carried Gemma out of that nightmare and took her to one of his mansions.