Neo's Pov
Monday morning always had a way of creeping up on him unwanted, sluggish and mercilessly bright.
The sunlight pushed its way through the half drawn curtains spilling gold across his face like an invitation he hadn't asked for.
Neo groaned rolling unto his side burying his head in the pillow the faint hum of the city outside, car Horns ,someone calling a name down the streets, did like to help his will to live through another week of whatever this job was turning into.
He stared at the clock on his bedside table 7:13 a.m. too early for Peace too late for excuses, one thing I was truly grateful for was that teachers minded their business not caring if students actually came to class or not as long as notes where submitted, test with taken and exams with taken,if not I would have been dead from all the amount of classes I was missing thank god Aiden is also there to assist with anything related to attendance so I was good.
The first thing that crossed his mind wasn't breakfast or the weather it was him,Lucas that man with the Sharp jawline and sharper words the man who turned out to be both employer and headache.
Neo sighed rubbing his eyes what kind of boss calls someone to pick up "just a file" on a Saturday and act like you'd committed a crime for breathing wrong
"Neo! You're going to be late again!" Pia's voice sang from downstairs bright and teasing, like always she definitely wasn't talking about school.
He sat up ran a hand through his hair and muttered "can't I just disappear for one day".
Downstairs smelled like toasted bread and Maggie's coffee the kind that could wake the Dead, pia was already sitting at the small dinner table, legs crossed on the chair munching through buttered toast while scrolling through her phone her curly hair was tied in a messy bun and she had that mischievous smile that made her look like she was plotting something.
"You look like someone who lost a war in their sleep"she said without looking up "feels about right" neo muttered grabbing a mug "what's the damage for today"
"Same old same old looks like you've been having nightmares about your boss or something" pia grinned finally meeting his eyes "tell me about it" Neo sighed "he talks like every word cost him a fortune" Pia laughed nearly choking on her juice "so? you just have to get used to it the man is hot and terrifying you attract the best" "pia!" Neo give her a warning look "what? I'm just saying" she's shrugged innocently then smirked "if you get fired, at least get his number first" "pia!!"
"Okay..okay" she raised her hands in surrender giggling "enough You two stop bickering and start moving already" mom walked out of the kitchen coffee in her hands "alright.. alright am going"
By the time I got to the office the day had already stretched into that sharp, cold rhythm that always followed Lucas around. The building busy with people moving in and out well it was Monday afterall. I walked straight to the office, even the sound of my shoes against the Polish floor felt intrusive.
I stepped into lucas's office and the air shifted, Lucas sat behind his desk as always head bent over a file the morning light glinting off the edge of his silver watch, his black suit was crisp, the shirt was slightly unbuttoned exposing of what seemed like a tattoo, he has a tattoo? his expression unreadable, control had truly been tailored into him.
I hesitated "good morning sir" he didn't look up "your late" and here we go with the usual cliche of words then I swallowed "by four minutes" "three" Lucas corrected calmly turning a page "and in my world 3 minutes can end deals"
Neo bit his tongue stepping closer "understood sir" for a moment there was only silence broken by the faint click of pen and they sound of Lucas flipping another page for a second my mind drifted on its own thinking to be honest I haven't clearly seen how Lucas looked like actually, his head was always down "I have an assignment for you" Lucas said he's voice low even "huh?" I got pulled out of my thoughts.
Lucas was leaned back in his chair eyes meeting mine and I took it upon myself to actually take a good look at this man with his Gray calculating eyes that had a hint of pale blue, his parents were sure proud of their handwork "are you even listening" "um..no..am sorry could you repeat truly I am" I started blabbing.
"You'll be leaving the office for today" I blinked is he firing me already "leaving?" Lucas nodded once "you'll be taken somewhere consider it part of your training with kellan" I felt my stomach tighten "to where" Lucas lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile "you'll see" at that moment the office door opened and in walked Kellan tall, composed his suits darker than Lucas, his presence Sharp and quiet like a blade sheathed in silk. His eyes met neo's briefly, cold but assessing . Aiden was truly right about one thing people that worked under Lucas were truly fine as hell.
"Take him" lucas said already turning back to his paperwork "and make sure he understands exactly what his walking into" what am I walking into Kellan gave a curt nod "yes sir" he turned to neo gesturing toward the door "let's go"
Neo looked between them Lucas already absorbed in his file again Kellan waiting like a shadow giving form. something in my chest fluttered uneasily but I squared my shoulders and followed him to the elevator as a dinge open swallowing us both in silence.
The elevator ride was quiet, the kind of silence that feels heavier than words Neo's reflection stared back at him from the mirrored walls,eyes sharp but trembling lightly kellan stood beside him tall and composed his expression unreadable as his boss.
When the elevator chimed open the two men stepped into the underground parking lot a world of polished black cars lined in a perfect symmetry each one gleaming under the cold white light, my throat felt dry as Kellan gestured toward a sleek black SUV
" In" he said simply
I obeyed not like I had a choice anyways, the car door closed with a heavy click that sounded far to final, the leather smelled expensive,the windows tinted so dark he could barely see the outside.
As the engine roared to life,Kellen reached into the front compartment and pulled out a folded piece of black cloth "what's that" I asked though I already knew "blindfolds" he said "orders" I blinked "orders? you're joking right" "do I look like I joke" his voice wasn't harsh just factual. firm and that somehow made it worse then he added "no one outside the circle knows the routes to the Luther estate you will take it off when I say so" my fingers twitched as he reluctantly tied the cloth around my eyes the world turned into darkness a silence broken only by the steady hum of the car, my chest rose and fell too fast. I could hear the faint buzz of traffic then the distance shift of gravel as they car turned off the main road. the air changed quieter. colder .heavier.
I had lost counts of the turns we took each turn felt like they were going deeper into something hidden, the air inside the car thickening with tension my heart pounded so loud I was sure kellan could hear it.
I tried to filll the silence "so do I at least get to know what this is all about" kellen's voice came steady and low "you'll understand soon enough just don't talk too much when you get there and don't look anyone in the eyes unless I tell you to" I swallowed hard "that's... oddly specific" "you'll thank me later"
The ride stretched endlessly,minutes maybe hours until finally the car slowed, all I heard were the crunch of tires on gravel then faint murmure of voices outside kellan broke the silence again "we're here" the car door opened and the sound of boots clicking against pavement reach my ears someone said something in a language I didn't recognize a heavy metalic gate groaned open, kellan helped me out of the car he's gloved hand firm on my shoulder the air smelled different faintly of wet earth, pinewood and something metallic blood, gun maybe.
"Take off the blindfold" kellan said
I hesitated fingers trembling as I pulled the cloth away for a moment I forgot to breathe.
The estate stood before me like something carved out of Shadow and wealth, a mansion with dark stone walls massive glass windows and iron gates tall enough to keep heaven out, the driveway stretched endlessly lined with trimmed hedges and black suvs, guards in dark suits stood at every turn silent,armed, disciplined.
"This..this is where Lucas lives?" Neo whispered. Kellen didn't answer he just started walking and neo followed heart hammering, the floor beneath his sneakers was black marble veined with gold the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling glowed like captured stars. Trophies, portraits lined the hallways men with sharp eyes and cruel smiles each one exacting power.
Neo couldn't help it he slowed staring at everything overwhelmed Kellan stopped by the staircase and looked back at him "don't wander" "I'm not-" neo began but froze as he heard footsteps.
Two figures descended the grand staircase both tall Sharp featured and intimidating in a way that made neo's stomach flip.
The first one Ethan he wore a gray slightly unbuttoned shirt with short sleeves exposing a lovely build, tattoos peeking from his wrist his hair was let loose falling into his eyes he looked younger the second Matteo was more composed dressed in dark loosed top that hugged him well paired with a black huge joggers also tattoos very visible, his hair in a messy ponytail he was definitely older than the other.
Both of them looked like Lucas in appearance and aura the same power the same quiet ruthlessness. Ethan was the first to speak "so this is him" his voice was low, mocking "we finally get to meet him after all" kellan inclined his head slightly "he's neo,Lucas said to introduce him" Matteo's eyes flicked up towards neo, studying him like a riddle "we know him just that we haven't met him in person he looks scared" Neo straightened instinctively "I'm not-" Ethan smirked "you should be" Great intimidation runs in the blood.
The air tightened neo's throat went dry words dying on his tongue kallen glanced at him voice even "I'll take it from here" Ethan shrugged still smirking "don't scare him too much yet" he and Matteo walked past,the faint scent of expensive cologne trailing behind them.
Kellan gestured towards a side hallway "this way" Neo followed his steps echoing against the marble floor every corner seemed to hum with secret, security cameras tucked into the wall, faint murmure behind closed doors the weight of eyes he couldn't see.
They reached a smaller room modern yet dark, lined with shelves of files, weapons mostly weapons displayed behind glass and a large desk with maps and coded documents. Kellan shut the door behind them.the air shifted.
He turned to Neo removing his gloves "you want to understand the contract right" neo hesitated "y..yeah" "good then listen carefully" kellan walked closer his shadow streading long against the floor "because from this point on you are not just an employee, your part of something that doesn't forgive mistakes".
Neo blinked heart racing "what are you talking about" "the truth" Kellan said picking up a sleek black pistol from the table "about Lucas, about this family, about the men you saw downstairs about everything" he turned the gun slowly in his hand eyes meeting neo's "and if you are smart you will learn fast or you won't survive long enough to regret it" neo's throat went dry as the gun glinted beneath the dim light Kellan placed it on the table the weight of it hitting the glass surface with a thunk that made neo flinch.
"Sit" kellan said motioning towards the chair opposite him, Neo sat down slowly every muscle in his body stiff he tried to mask the nervous tremor in his hands by holding the hem of his hoodie but Kellan noticed anyway he's gaze Sharp and knowing.
"This isn't your usual kind of business orientation" kellan began leaning back slightly "forget what you think you know about Lucas or the company everything you've seen on paper the offices the legal work the polite smiles that's just a curtain behind it" he gestured vaguely around the room "is a very different empire" neo swallowed "empire?".
Kellan's tone was steady "lucas's family has been in control of the city's underground for over two decades drugs,weapons,private contract and silent deals that never reach the headlines everything runs through them, the Luther's name doesn't just open doors, it locks them shut".
Neo's eyes darted towards the shelves, roles of binders marked with initials and date and behind the glass guns of all sizes small silver, deadly.
Kellen continued "Lucas is the face everyone sees, the first born the businessman, The negotiator but he's not alone.Ethan the younger guy you met is Lucas younger brother he handles overseas operations, trade routes ,money laundering diplomacy with the people we don't name in daylight. Matteo the second born" kellan paused tapping his fingers on the table "Matteo manages discipline,internal affairs,punishment the kind of things you don't want to see".
Neo's stomach twisted "punishment?"
Kellen met his gaze "you don't cross Lucas and if you do, you don't live long enough to make that mistake twice"
The silence after that was suffocating
Kellen got up walked towards a drawer and pulled out a thick file he dropped it in front of neo inside were photos, documents newspaper clippings, neo recognized some of the faces, businessman he'd seen on TV politicians who suddenly vanished from public view a senator whose house had "mysteriously" burned down neo looked up horrified "these are real people" "yes" Kellan said simple "and everyone of them had dealings with the luthers some willingly some not".
Neo exhaled shakily,his mind spinning "why are you showing me this?" "Because you work for him now, you needed to understand what that means before you start running errands you don't understand, you needed to know what happens if you talk to the wrong person or ask the wrong question"
Neo's heartbeat pounded in his ears "so what? You're warning me?"
Kellan's lips twitched not quite a smile more like a grim acknowledgement "I'm preparing you"
He reached for the gun again and turned it towards neo,handle first
" lesson one"
Neo froze "what...what is that for" "take it" new hesitated then reached out fingers brushing cold metal the weight surprised him heavy. real.
Kellan circled him slowly "Lucas wants you to understand the rules of this family and that starts with understanding power, you can't survive around people like us unless you stop trembling at the sight of one of those"
Neo tightened his grip "I'm not trembling" "you are" kellen's voice was calm "and that's fine you're supposed to be scared it means you're still human"
neo looked at the gun trying to steady his breath "I didn't sign up for this" he whispered Kellan's tone was hardened "you signed the contract you belong to this family now there's no backing out" the words hit like bullets. Neo's pulse raced "I didn't know -" "you do now" Kellen interrupted "and trust me ignorance won't save you if you ever think of running, remember we'll find you before you even get the chance to disappear" he leaned close, his shadow falling over Neo
"Lucas doesn't let go of what's his"
Neo's breath hitched. The atmosphere felt colder, thicker his heartbeat was loud enough to drown his thoughts
Then Kellan straightened up took the gun from his hands and placed it back on the table "lesson two will be about control" he said quietly "when to shoot, when to stay silent, when to act like nothing's happening even when the whole worlds burning around you".
He paused then looked at Neo one last time not cruelly but with a quiet warning "go home for now I think it's enough for today Lucas will want to see you tomorrow".
Neo nodded still in a daze "oh and know one thing you won't be involved in anything just mere office work because you're not of age yet maybe in the next one month I guess"
Neo stood slowly his legs unsteady as he turned towards the door Kellan spoke again softer almost as if to himself "the thing about power" Kellen said "is that once you see what's behind it you can never go back to pretending it's clean".
Neo didn't reply he stepped out into the hallway where two guards waited to escort him back to the car his mind was chaos fear, disbelief, fragments of kellan's voice echoing in his head empire. rivals .no backing out, as the car doors shut behind him he caught one last glimpse of the mansion through the tinted glass towering dark standing silent under the dim sunset
It didn't look like a house anymore
it looked like a trap
he thought before his eyes were shut again away from the world in his front
The last words from Kellan ringing into his ears again
" the thing about power is that once you see what behind it you can never go back to pretending its clean"