Page 122 of Succumbed

I stiffen, my lip curling up in a sneer as I take a half step forward, putting my body between Lex and her father. I don’t fucking think so–

“That’s enough,” Nate barks, hauling Reginald back by the collar as he aggressively steps toward Lex. “I told you I would handle this.”

Nate physically turns his father away as Lex watches, her expression stoic and body relaxed. She hadn’t flinched as Reginald attacked her.

“Your input is not required, Father,” Nate presses. “I’ll catch you up when we’re both back in the States.”

“You will not dismiss me, Nathaniel, I–”

“Respectfully,” Nate bites out, eyes hard, “if you can’t deescalate the situation, then I will. I told you last night I’d handle this. I fucking meant it.”

The two men stare at one another for a drawn out moment, Reginald’s flush gradually darkening.

“We will have words–”

“I’m sure we will. Good night.”

“In case you were looking for an exit, Reginald, that was it.” Lex regards the older man coolly, one hand in her pocket and the other relaxed by her side.

I think Reginald is going to demand to get the last word, but Lex doesn’t give him the opportunity. Turning to Nate and giving her father her shoulder, she places a hand on her brother’s arm and urges him toward the bar.

“We should get a drink. I’m sure you have questions for Shane.”

Reginald’s lips part, his eyes darting between his children with an unreadable expression on his face. Nate goes willingly, and Reginald licks his lips as his brow creases and he turns to me. I smirk. Here we go.

“Shane,” Lex calls, “it’s not worth it.”

Tilting my head in deference, I step back and turn to follow her and Nate. Before I go far, Dec’s voice sounds behind me. Where’d he come from? Slowing to a halt, I tip my ear toward them to listen.

“Reginald Livingston, right?”

“That’s right. And you are?”

“Someone who can see what you’re too willfully ignorant to acknowledge.”

“I beg your pardon?” Reginald blusters.

“That woman is smarter and more driven than any man here, you included. You could’ve handed her your business and watched it flourish.” Dec’s voice is low, rough. “But you didn’t, did you?”

“Listen here–”

“No. For once in your life, Reggie, you need to listen,” Dec seethes. “I hope your regret over letting someone as cunning and brilliant as Lex slip through your fingers eats at you every moment of every day. I hope you look in the mirror and are ashamed of the fool you were when you tried to hold her back.”

Glancing over my shoulder, I see Reginald blow out an aggravated breath, his eyes wide and flush creeping down his neck. Dec stands close, jaw set and fist clenched at his side.

“You know what?” Dec leans back, regarding the older man with disdain. “Lex is right. You’re not worth it. Just another pompous asshole grasping for scraps of power. You? You’re nothing.”

He chuckles, low and menacing. “But her? She’s everything. I hope you enjoy watching her build a legacy in spite of you, old man. And I hope it fucking kills you when you realize the world has already forgotten your name.”

Looking down, I smile. Atta boy, Dec. My friend slaps his hand against my shoulder as he reaches me, steering us both after Lex and Nate without a backwards glance. Chuckling, I shove my hands in my pockets. Now if you can be as good a man to her as you are for her, brother, we’ll get somewhere.

Chapter 37

Lex

Tension ratchets between us the second we step into the elevator at the Le Meurice. Linc crowds me, pushing my body toward the wall as he cups my face in his hands.

“You’re fucking stunning, you know that?” he breathes before crashing his lips into mine.

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