Lucian’s voice came out low. “She was buried alive, Lorenzo. Buried. And I wasn’t there.”
Lorenzo leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. “You got there in time. That’s what matters.”
Lucian shook his head slowly. “It shouldn’t have happened at all.”
For a while, neither spoke. The room stayed quiet except for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall.
Finally, Lorenzo said, “Cruz did this to break you.”
Lucian looked up, eyes sharp again. “He failed.”
Lorenzo gave a short nod. “Good. Because now we end it.”
Lucian poured another drink, staring at the amber liquid before setting it down untouched. “We will.”
Lorenzo stood and walked to the window. Outside, the moonlight hit the courtyard — empty except for a few guards smoking near the gates. “You know he won’t stop. Even i
