Page 49 of Cruel Hero

Olivia takes his hand, her grip firm, her hazel eyes assessing him with caution. “The pleasure’s mine.”

Adrien’s lips twitch into a faint smile. “I imagine you have questions. I’d be happy to answer them—within reason, of course.”

Olivia tilts her head. “Of course. I wouldn’t expect anything less from someone in your... position.”

The air between them is thick with tension, and I quickly step in, hoping to ease the moment. “Lunch is on its way,” I say, forcing a lightness into my voice. “I ordered you a steak, Adrien. Medium rare, just how you like it.”

His gaze shifts back to me. “Thank you,” he says, his voice quieter now, more intimate. “You always remember the details.”

Olivia clears her throat. “So, Adrien, Tiffany’s told me a bit about you, but I’d like to hear your side of things. What exactly are your intentions with my sister?”

“Olivia,” I protest, my cheeks flushing, but Adrien’s expression is calm and composed, as if he’d been expecting this line of questioning.

He steps closer, his piercing blue eyes locking onto Olivia’s with an intensity that makes even her confident demeanor waver slightly. “I intend to protect Tiffany, support her, and ensure she has the freedom to pursue what matters most to her. I won’t pretend I’m a perfect man or that my past is spotless. But I care deeply for your sister, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her happy.”

She folds her arms. “Protect her from what, exactly? Because from where I’m standing, it seems like you’re the one bringing danger into her life.”

Adrien doesn’t flinch, but his jaw tightens. “There are forces at play that neither of us can control. Forces that were set in motion long before Tiffany and I ever met. My only goal now is to shield her from the fallout of decisions I made in my past.”

“And what happens when your past catches up to you?” Olivia presses. “When it inevitably spills over onto her? Are you prepared for that?”

“Olivia,” I interject. “That’s enough. Adrien’s been honest with me about his past, and I’ve made my choice.”

Her expression softens, but her eyes remain hard, focused on Adrien. “I just want to make sure you’re not walking into something you can’t handle, Tiff. You’re my sister. I have to look out for you.”

“I understand your concern, Olivia. And I respect it. But I need you to understand this: Tiffany isn’t just someone I care for—she’s someone I’d give my life for. My past is complicated, and I know it’s hard to trust me. But I’m doing everything in my power to make sure she never has to face the consequences of that past alone.”

The room falls silent.

Olivia nods. “Alright. But if you hurt her—if she ends up paying the price for your mistakes—I’ll make sure you regret it. And trust me, Adrien, I’m not someone you want as an enemy.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less from someone who cares for Tiffany as much as you do.”

The tension in the room eases when Adrien asks Olivia about her gallery. Five minutes later, Luis comes back with our lunch, and we sit around the dining table, the fragrant aroma of the food and light small talk filling the space.

Olivia and Adrien continue to exchange polite, if slightly guarded, conversation as we eat. I can tell she’s still sizing him up, her sharp gaze occasionally flicking to me as if to gauge my reaction to his words. For his part, Adrien remains composed, answering her questions with a measured calm that only seems to deepen her curiosity.

After lunch, my sister excuses herself, claiming she has some errands to run. She gives me a quick hug and a meaningful look before heading out the door, leaving Adrien and me alone in the quiet aftermath of their first meeting.

Adrien leans back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the closed door. “Your sister is... formidable,” he says with a hint of amusement. “I can see where you get your strength from.”

I smile, picking at the edge of my napkin. “She’s protective. Always has been. She’s just trying to make sure I’m not in over my head.”

He reaches across the table, his hand covering mine, warm and steady. “And are you?”

“Sometimes it feels like I am,” I admit quietly. “But I don’t regret this—us. Not for a second.”

His thumb brushes over my knuckles, a small, reassuring gesture. “Good. Because I meant what I said to her, Tiffany. You’re not just someone I care about—you’re someone I’d do anything for.”

I stand and move around the table. He watches me approach, his gaze unwavering, a quiet intensity burning in his eyes. When I reach him, I place my hands on his shoulders, feeling the solid warmth of him beneath my touch. He tilts his head back slightly, his expression softening as he looks up at me.

“You don’t have to prove anything to me.”

“I want to. Every day, I want to prove to you that you’re not just a part of my life—youaremy life. Everything I do, every decision I make, is with you in mind. You’ve changed me, Tiffany. In ways I didn’t think were possible.“ As he speaks, his hands gently slide to my waist, drawing me closer until I find myself standing between his legs.

His hands find my waist, gently pulling me closer until I’m standing between his legs. With a serious look in his eyes, he continues, “I have to leave for a few weeks tomorrow.”

My hands freeze on his shoulders. “What? Why?”

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