The Bane of My Existence

4: Lorenzo’s POV

She seriously thinks she’s worth starting a war for.

I admire the confidence. It's rather unfortunate that I don’t deal with women.

“You realize,” I say, stepping closer, “if I accept your terms, whoever you’re running from becomes my enemy.”

“Yes.”

“And if I refuse?”

“I find another empire.”

A bluff?

Perhaps.

But not a weak one.

I stop in front of her again.

Close enough to measure her breath.

“You don’t ask for safety,” I murmur. “You negotiate it.”

“I survive,” she replies.

We stand there; and two strategists pretending this is employment when it is alignment.

A deal should be struck by now. But as I look at her—small, sharp, and entirely too composed—the reality of the optics hits me. My empire is built on a foundation of iron-clad tradition and brutal masculinity.

“There is, however, one complication,” I add, my voice dropping an octave. “I don’t employ women. Not in the inner circle. Not in the line of fire.”

Violet doesn’t flinch. She doesn't even blink. Instead, a slow, mocking smile tugs at the corner of her mouth.

“You don’t employ women,” she repeats, her tone dripping with faux-contemplation. “Or you’re simply a coward?”

The air in the room turns frigid. I take a step to close the gap between us, my shadow swallowing her whole. “Careful, Violet.”

“It’s a coward’s policy,” she says, stepping into my space, her eyes defiant. “You’re not worried about my capability. You’re worried that if your men see a woman doing their job better than they do, the fragile little hierarchy you’ve built will crumble. You’re afraid of the shift, boss.”

“Do you really want to know what you’re truly afraid of? Me. Because I am the one variable you can’t predict, and in your world, the unpredictable is the only thing you can't control.”

I stare down at her for a long time. She’s right, and she knows it. But more than that, she's a dead woman walking, and her blood would be a waste of good intelligence.

“Double your rate,” I say finally. “Protection under my name. Autonomy within reason.”

Her eyes sharpen slightly.

Conditions are coming. She thinks she's won. But no. I'm certain she will not survive in this world.

“You report only to me,” I continue. “You withhold nothing strategic. And if I discover deception—”

“You won’t,” she interrupts quietly.

A mistake.

I grip her chin. Not violently. Controlled. Enough to remind her who makes the rules.

“Do not interrupt me. Ever.”

Her pulse jumps.

Good.

“If I discover deception,” I repeat, “I won’t kill you.”

A flicker of confusion crosses her face.

“I’ll make you wish I had.”

Silence.

Then—

“Understood.”

I release her.

The deal is not sealed yet.

But it’s close.

“Welcome,” I say calmly, “to the Epero Empire.”

And for the first time tonight, I am no longer entirely certain whether I recruited an asset or invited a storm.

I call Yhomsi to make arrangements for her stay here with us. He doesn't question me, but I see the stares he sends my way. He only keeps quiet because he never goes against me in front of people. I just know I'm going to have it hot later.