Chapter 255: Walk into a trap
"Aren’t we having dinner?" Layla asked softly, her gaze fixed on Lucius as he ran his fingers through her hair, a tender gesture that made her heart flutter.
Lucius arched a brow, his lips curving into a faint smile. "It’s already dinner time?" he asked, his tone teasing, though his attention remained on her.
"Yes, it is," Layla replied with a gentle nod. She shifted slightly, propping herself up on her left elbow. Her hair spilled over her shoulder, glimmering in the dim light, and she casually tucked it behind her ear. "Sylvia must be asleep in the guest room by now, so let’s not disturb her. We should go have our dinner."
"Sure. I suddenly feel hungry," Lucius said and watched Layla stand up.
Lucius caught her hand, gently stopping her from leaving. Resting his head against her belly, he closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as though grounding himself in her presence. "I need to go to Russia soon," he murmured, his voice tinged with an unspoken heaviness. "Everything started from there. Will you allow me to go?"
Layla looked down at him, her fingers instinctively brushing through his hair. "You should go," she said calmly, her tone practical yet caring. "But with preparations. Winter will come soon, and it’s better to go now than later."
Lucius exhaled deeply, her words giving him a sense of resolve. "Hmm. I’ll start the preparations, then," he agreed, his voice firmer now. Shifting to the edge of the couch, he swung his legs down and reached for his slippers. Just as he slid them on, the phone on the table buzzed, breaking the moment.
It was an unknown number. Lucius hesitated for a beat before picking it up. "Am I speaking to Lucius De Salvo?" came a woman’s voice on the other end of the line.
"This is he," Lucius replied, his brow furrowing slightly. "I’m sorry, but who is this?"