Page 65 of The Owner's Temptation

At the center, a green dot pulses steadily over the Ledger skyrise.

I raise an eyebrow, impressed despite myself. “This is live?”

"Real-time," he confirms, nodding slowly. “Instantaneous updates. Encrypted end-to-end, completely anonymous and private. You’ve got eyes everywhere without anyone knowing."

“How many of these do you have?”

“Just the prototype.” Jaxon shoots me a knowing look, a smug smirk playing on his lips. “Thought you might want to test it out before we manufacture more.”

Instinctively, my gaze slides toward Sienna, still sitting quietly in the corner.

She’s pretending not to listen, staring straight ahead with that carefully practiced neutral expression—except for the slightest roll of her eyes as she releases an irritated sigh.

My jaw clenches. She’s walking a dangerous fucking line today.

“Sienna,” I say, forcing calmness into my voice even as irritation threads through it.

She lifts her head, turning toward me slowly.

A defiant spark flashes in those bright blue eyes as she meets mine head-on. "Lucian," she replies evenly, matching my patience with her carefully controlled tone.

Jaxon fucking gleams at the interaction.

I pick up the baggie, placing it pointedly at the edge of the desk nearest her. “How about you run down to the spa and get your nails done.”

After a pause. “Red, of course.”

Her gaze flares again, but she quickly reins herself back in, lips pressing into a thin line as she stands, gracefully retrieving the small plastic bag without another word. “Of course,” she answers tightly, turning swiftly on her heel and heading for the door.

Her hair brushes along her back with each irritated step, until her steps fade into silence.

I exhale slowly as the door shuts behind her, leaning back in my chair and pinching the bridge of my nose again.

Jaxon lets out a low whistle, amusement radiating off him in waves.

“Don’t fucking start, Jax,” I warn him, narrowing my eyes. “Just tell me how long it’ll take to make more.”

Jaxon’s grin is back, wider this time, as he leans deeper into the chair. “You know, Luc, if you actually told me what we’re protecting against, I could probably be more helpful.”

I narrow my eyes, but say nothing as I rise from my seat and head over to the espresso machine tucked into the custom cabinetry behind my desk.

The familiar routine settles me, grounds my scattered thoughts. I pull two small white porcelain cups from the overhead shelf and position them beneath the machine, the strong, rich aroma of espresso quickly filling the air.

“I’ve told you what you need to know,” I reply carefully, not turning around as I speak. “There’s a potential threat against my business. Specifically my girls.”

“Potential.” Jaxon snorts softly, the skepticism thick in his voice. “Come on. You called me in, rushed a complete overhaul of your systems, and just ordered your star recruit to put a tracker on herself. That doesn’t sound ‘potential.’ It sounds inevitable.”

The machine hums softly, and two perfect shots of espresso drip steadily into the waiting cups. I take a slow breath before responding, turning to glance at Jaxon over my shoulder. His expression is curious, sharp, intelligent—like always.

But beneath that, I see genuine concern.

“I’m being careful,” I finally say, choosing each word with precision. “We’ve had threats before, but this one’s different. Personal.”

Jaxon’s eyes narrow slightly, picking up on the undertone immediately. “Personal how?”

“An old acquaintance,” I explain carefully, lifting the cups from the machine and placing them onto matching saucers. “One who’s decided to make his problems mine.”

I cross the office, setting one cup on the desk in front of Jaxon and taking a slow sip of my own. The espresso slides down my throat, hot and dark, sharpening my senses. Jaxon’s fingers curl around his cup, but he doesn’t lift it yet, his gaze thoughtful as he studies me.

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