"The meeting is concluded," Lucian said.
His gold eyes remained fixed on the window as he spoke. "Marrok, stay back. We need to review the manual override sequences for the southern transit gates before the lockdown."
He paused, his chest rising in a heavy, deliberate breath that expanded his tailored vest against his torso. Then, his gaze shifted slightly, locking onto Adrian's hooded eyes.
"Adrian, go get some rest."
The dismissal was quiet. Adrian felt the rejection like a physical wall rising between his chair and the desk. He didn't want to leave. Every instinct hammered against his ribs, telling him he belonged at that table and he wanted to finish his little petty plan.
But his pride was big. He wasn't going to beg for a seat, and he damn sure wasn't going to argue his position in front of people like a petulant child demanding attention.
