Luca's pov
The morning light never reached this part of the house. Heavy curtains drowned the sun living only the Glow of a single lamp against steel Gray walls the room smelled of cedar and old whiskey Lucas buttoned his shirt in silence the same way he did everything precisely without emotion on the dresser a silver watch ticked beside his phone lined up like soldiers waiting for command.
The knock came twice "you're up early" a familiar voice said before the door opened Ethan leaned against the frame suit jackets slung over one shoulder eyes sharp but carrying that quiet humor only a brother could get away with he was Lucas second brother the last born of the family even though he was the youngest didn't mean he didn't carry what Lucas carried power, cold hearted wasn't easily fooled .well it runs in the family after all "early doesn't exist for you does it" ethan asked, Lucas didn't answer his slid the watch on his wrist and adjusted the cuffs and finally turned
"Reports"
"already sent to your mail but that's not why I came" ethan crossed the room at the edge of the rug "so how is the new assistant" Lucas expression didn't shift "efficient.. talks too much" Ethan smirked "you already knew that before hiring him didn't you?,you don't let strangers this close" Lucas jaw flexed once,a quiet warning that the topic was thin ice "backgrounds are checked for a reason" "sure" Ethan said,still watching him "but you don't usually check them yourself".
The silence that followed wasn't empty it was heavy filled with the weight of things unsaid. Outside the city was waking inside Lucas stood perfectly still already building the walls he lived behind he reached for his phone voice low "he'll do his job that's all that matters"
Ethan studied hymn for a moment longer then gave him a small nod whatever you say boss Ethan said strolling out with a little mischievous grin.
Later on
"Sir he's waiting for you in the lower wing" said one of his men , a tall fine man named kellan, he's the kind of man people notice only when it's too late 6 ft 2 lean but cut always dressed in dark suits that somehow look like armor. His expression really changes his voice is always low even almost come the kind of calm that wants you not to test it kellan doesn't smile he observes every glands is calculation every word measured well Lucas is commanding kellan is precise distractedist the clean of the one who turns chaos into control his lawyer not out of fear but because he owes lukas something no one else knows about. He's the balance to lukas fire.
Lucas gave a slow nod slipped his gun back into the drawer and stood, his black shirt stretched against his chest as he moved the faint glint of a silver chain brushing his collarbone, he wasn't a man who needed to raise his voice his silence did the talking the hallways of the estate were quiet but the kind of quiet that screamed of power chandeliers hung low, marble floors reflecting his every step on one side portraits of his ancestors on the other he father's trophies,awards that meant nothing compared to the lives lukas had taken to keep the family empire alive.
He descended the stairs and enter the lower wing the part of the mansion that didn't belong on The blueprint two guards open the steel door revealing a dimly lit room.
A man was tied to a chair in the center breathing heavily blood on his shirt Lucas stopped a few steps away his expression unreadable.
"So" lukas said firmly his voice deep, controlled like smoke curling through silence "you thought you could steal from me"
The Man stammered "I..I swear Mr Luther, I didn't mean to_" a single gunshot silenced him Lucas didn't flinch he didn't even blink he turned slightly to the man holding the weapon his second in command during things like this, Elijah then nodded once "Get rid of him. Make sure it doesn't trace back" "yes sir"
As Lucas walked away Elijah called after him "and the meeting with the Koreans" Lucas paused "cancel it I don't deal with men who can't handle loyalty"
He kept working straight to his private study where his two brothers Matteo and Ethan sat waiting with a glass of whiskey in hand matteo was the opposite of Lucas more diplomatic less brutal but equally intelligent he leaned back in the chair smirking slightly as his brother entered "so how was your money therapy session" Lucas glare could have frozen the sun matteo chuckled "relax, I'm joking your too tense these days" "same thing I had in mind" Ethan said smirking
"I have to be" Lucas said simply pouring himself a drink, "you think this empire runs on smiles". Matteo watched him for a while then smirked looking at Ethan before looking back at Lucas eyes thoughtful "and neo?".
Lucas stopped mid-sip his expression didn't change but his silence spoke volumes matteo tilted his head grin widening "I heard you brought him in faster than expected you don't do that for just anyone Lucas what's the play" Lucas jaw tightened "he's useful that's all" "useful" matteo echoed"or interesting" Ethan asked.
Lucas turned towards the window the city light reflecting in his eyes cold golden dangerous "you two talk too much"
Matteo and Ethan laughed softly, standing up "I'm just saying I've known you all my life you don't move pieces without knowing the whole board, if you picked neo you already saw something in him I just hope it's not something that'll bite you later"
Lukas didn't respond,his mind was already elsewhere we playing the moment he first saw neo the hesitation in neo's voice, the way his hands fidgets with the Hem of his shirt, when nervous or his small annoyed pout,but still the concentration he had when typing,the mix of fear and defiance in his eyes.
He didn't know why he remembered that he didn't want to know,
Matteo's phone buzzed "The Italians are on Line two I'll take the call" "I'll also head out too" Ethan said
Look as gave a nod still staring out the window when they both had left she exhaled slowly the kind of exhale that sounded more like a growl under his breath. He poured another glass then sat down at his desk on his laptop screen was a file labeled "Neo Xavier Demi Uther" he clicked it open photos records University pictures family details online of neatly Lucas read through every detail each click a echoing like a drum beat in the quiet room "clean record" he murmurd "too clean" he leaned back tapping his fingers on the glass "let's see how long you can stay clean neo".
The faintest smirk togged at the corner of his lips a dangerous calculated smirk that never reached his eyes.
Hours passed
By the time nightfell the mansion was dark except for Lucas office his phone buzzed
"Boss" Elijah's voiycame through. "The package is secured..... And there's been movement in the east docks" Luca's eyes darkened "who"
"The Russians"
He stood instantly "tell the men to be ready no mistakes I repeat no mistakes"
He dialed a line and spoke "kellan let's move to the east docks" "already waiting there" "Good as always"
He grabbed his jacket the leather one the one that still smelled faintly of smoke and gunpowder and tucked his pistol at his sides
As he reached the garage Matteo caught up with him "again? you can't keep doing this yourself" "I don't trust anyone else" Lucas said flatly matteo frowned "you don't trust yourself lucas that the problem" Lucas turned meeting his gaze "that's what keeps me alive" he slammed the car door and sped into the night.
the docks were silent too silent he stepped out his boots crunching against the gravel the air was thick with the smell of sea salt and metal.
"Boss over here" kellan whispered pointing to a stack of containers.
Lucas walked ahead gun ready. He crouched inspecting the tire marks "they were here fifteen minutes ago". Then a shot rang out.
He ducked instantly returning fire chaos broke out bullet slicing through the air shout a clean across the dockyard Lucas moved like a predator quick precise ruthless every pull of the trigger was perfect every move was calculated same with kellan right by his side.
When it was all over silence remained
He looked down at the body of one of the Russians wiped the blood off his sleeve and said quietly "tell them this is what happens when you cross my family".
Elijah nodded Lucas turned towards the sea the wind brushing through his hair his eyes glowing faintly under the moonlight like a man who had been born in darkness and learned to rule it.
"Clean up whatever that needs to be cleaned up" he said as he turned to look at kellan "will do,I think it's time for you to also head back I'll report to you of everything and if anything happens too" "alright see you later at home".
He slid his gun back into his holster glancing one more at the waves before heading back into his car. Lucas mind wandered not the mafia not the blood neither to business but to Neo he felt something was truly off he couldn't pinpoint it where exactly he just knew something was definitely wrong somewhere "clean record" he repeated under his breath his voice low "we'll see about that and how long it'll remain clean" he was in a new world after all one Way or the order he was going to have tint his records not now but definitely soon