Chapter 20: No One Else Can Have Her
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Lucian meets Maureen Fitzgerald, a Washington, D.C., madam, in his hotel. He questions her about Felix Metzer, whose name appeared in connection with a list that included Nash Morgan. Maureen reveals that Metzer was her cousin and that Tate Dilton, a now-dead crooked cop, had attached himself to Metzer’s family. She suggests Dilton likely put Nash on the list. After she leaves, Lucian discusses the lead with Nolan. Later, Lucian spots Sloane in the hotel bar, surrounded by admirers. He clears them out, confronts her, and their argument escalates into physical tension. He touches her intimately, and they agree to one night together to “get this insanity out of [their] systems.”
Key Events
- Lucian meets Maureen in the hotel manager’s office; she reveals Felix Metzer was her cousin and that Tate Dilton was the likely source who added Nash to the elimination list.
- Maureen leaves, and Lucian joins Nolan at the bar to discuss Dilton’s possible motives.
- Sloane appears in the bar, attracting male attention.
- Lucian scares away her admirers and confronts her, ending her attempt to pick up a stranger.
- The argument turns physical: Lucian pulls her stool between his legs and strokes her through her underwear.
- Sloane does not push him away; she spreads her thighs slightly.
- Lucian proposes one night of sex to “scratch an itch,” and Sloane reluctantly agrees.
Character Development
- Lucian Rollins: Shows obsessive jealousy and a struggle to control his desire for Sloane. He admits he is “tired of fighting” his attraction. His internal conflict between wanting security and wanting her deepens.
- Sloane Walton: Reveals she came to the bar solely to get laid out of stress and frustration. Her verbal sparring with Lucian masks her own physical vulnerability. She accuses him of having wasted his life focusing on the wrong things.
- Maureen Fitzgerald: Established as a maternal figure to Lucian. Her willingness to share intelligence shows loyalty and a protective streak.
- Nolan: Acts as Lucian’s confidant and backup, maintaining a pragmatic view of the criminal network.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Power and control: Lucian uses his ownership of the hotel and his wealth to dictate the bar’s environment and chase away Sloane’s suitors.
- Desire vs. hatred: The chapter deliberately blurs the line between antagonism and sexual tension. Both characters admit they “don’t like each other,” yet they cannot resist physical attraction.
- The past as unresolved threat: Tate Dilton’s name resurfaces even after his death, symbolizing that old grudges and dangers continue to haunt the present.
- The bar as a battlefield: The public setting becomes a private arena where Lucian stakes his claim on Sloane, using intimacy as a weapon and a surrender.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point for Lucian and Sloane’s relationship. After years of animosity, they finally agree to act on their physical connection. Simultaneously, it provides a significant lead in the mystery surrounding the hit list—pointing to Tate Dilton as the primary suspect—thus narrowing the scope of the revenge plot. The emotional vulnerability both characters display sets the stage for a deeper reckoning.
Study Questions and Answers
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What new information does Maureen provide about Felix Metzer?
Maureen reveals that Metzer was her cousin and that a crooked police officer named Tate Dilton had attached himself to Metzer’s family. She implies Dilton is likely the one who put Nash’s name on the elimination list. -
Why does Lucian propose a one-night stand to Sloane?
He is exhausted by their constant fighting and believes that sex is the “one thing [they] haven’t tried” to end the tension between them. He presents it as a way to get the obsession out of their systems. -
How does Sloane react physically when Lucian touches her in the bar?
Despite her verbal protests, she does not pull away. She spreads her thighs slightly and later presses her knee against his erection, indicating reciprocal desire. She agrees to go upstairs only after being double-dog-dared.