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Luke’s gaze catches mine one last time before he disappears down the cellar stairs. The suspicion there makes my chest ache, but I’d do it again. Some things are worth the risk, even if it means making Luke angry by not following his orders.
I head back to the kitchen, where my staff is preparing dessert. There’s still a dinner service to complete and appearances tomaintain. Curtis glances over at me with a single nod, and I let out the breath I was holding.
I silently slip him the thumb drive, and his eyes widen in surprise and approval. That one look makes me feel lighter. In less than four hours, I’ve committed corporate espionage, betrayed Luke’s trust, and potentially saved Sterling Motors.
Not bad for a night’s work.
Now, I just have to survive the fallout when Luke finds out.
I haven’t seen Luke in a while when Crystal approaches. “Lila, thank you for making this evening a wonderful success for Luke and me,” she says with a wide smile. “I’m sorry he couldn’t stay to thank you himself. Something about an early morning rehearsal.”
“It was a pleasure,” I murmur, the lie awkward on my tongue. I return to the kitchen, grateful that her father didn’t feel the need to acknowledge the success of the dinner party.
It’s an hour later, after the last guest leaves, before my staff has the kitchen cleaned and ready to go. Ryan and Curtis stay until I exit the house, ensuring I make it out safely without mishapsor delays.
The cool night air greets me as I step outside. The drive home feels strangely anti-climatic, the adrenalin still humming through my veins. Once home, I start toward my apartment, my shoulders aching with tension, but I stop short when I see him.
Luke.
He’s leaning against his Jeep, arms crossed, his suit jacket unbuttoned. His tie is loose, and the faint glow of the moonlight catches the sharp lines of his jaw. He doesn’t look angry, not yet, but there’s something in his expression that makes my stomach twist.
“It took you a while,” he says, his voice calm but tight.
“I was just wrapping up,” I reply, gripping my bag a little tighter. “Long night.”
He nods, his eyes slightly narrowing as they drift to my hands. “You seem tense.”
“Just tired,” I say quickly. “It’s been a busy day.”
Luke pushes off the Jeep, taking a slow step toward me. “Lila, do you have something to tell me?”
“About the dinner?” I ask, my voice a little too high. “Everything went fine.”
“Did it?” he asks, his tone harsh. He steps closer, his eyes searching mine. “Because you weren’t supposed to be involved with what went down tonight.”
My breath catches, and I force myself to hold his gaze. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
His jaw tightens, and he looks away briefly, exhaling sharply. “Right.”
I hesitate the words caught in my throat. Every instinct screams at me to tell him the truth, to explain why I did what I did. But the memory of Jaxson’s warning—about Luke’s wrath stops me.
“The dinner seemed to go great,” I say finally, keeping my voice steady. “Crystal loved it.”
Luke studies me for a long moment, his eyes flicking to the tension in my stance. “Of course she did,” he says, his tone unreadable. “The meal was superb. You did a fine job.”
The weight of his words hangs between us, and for a moment, I think he’s going to push further. But then he steps back, his hands sliding into his pockets.
“Get some rest,” he says quietly, his voice softer now. “You look like you need it.”
I nod, mythroat too tight to speak, and turn toward my door. The tension doesn’t leave my shoulders until I’m safely inside.
As I shut the door, I glance out the window. Luke is still standing there, watching me, his expression shadowed by the night.
The weight of the evening presses down on me, and exhaustion tugs at my limbs. But it’s not just physical—it’s emotional. The thought of Luke finding out what I’ve done, the anger that will undoubtedly follow, makes my chest tighten.
I should sleep. I need to sleep. But instead, I sink onto the couch, my mind racing. Tonight was a victory—a small one—but the battle is far from over. And with every step we take, the stakes only get higher.
I didn’t lie, but I don’t know how much longer I can keep this from Luke. For now, all I can do is hope we’re one step closer to stopping Marcus.