Billionaire Alpha's 99 Deadly Games

Chapter 15

The proximity was intoxicating. Unlike their distant encounter across the stage, Lucas could now detect subtle details that sent shivers of recognition down his spine-the faint jasmine scent that had haunted his dreams for a year, even the staccato rhythm of her pulse visible at her neck.

Each familiar element heightened his impossible suspicion.

Her deliberate silence felt strategic rather than shy. No other dancer in the company maintained this careful muteness-only her.

With an uncharacteristically tentative motion, he reached toward her mask, his usually steady hand betraying a slight tremor. The closer he got, the more his own heartbeat echoed in his ears, his breathing becoming shallow with anticipation.

Aria hadn't anticipated this direct approach. Based on her years with Lucas, she had expected his typical reaction to being ignored-a flash of entitlement, then dismissal. The Alpha Lucas Thornwood she had known would have scoffed at her silence and walked away, his infamous impatience with "time-wasters" sending him in search of more accommodating company.

She had risked silence as her best defense, never imagining he would simply reach for the mask himself.

As his fingertips hovered mere centimeters from the pearlescent surface, Aria's entire body tensed, her breath caught mid-inhale.

Just as contact seemed inevitable, a sharp ringtone sliced through the tension.

Lucas withdrew his hand with visible reluctance, reaching for his phone with a suppressed sigh. "What is it?" he answered tersely.

Whatever news came through transformed his expression from intense curiosity to grave concern within seconds.

With a last lingering look at Aria, he turned abruptly and strode away, already issuing rapid instructions to whoever had called.

Only when his silhouette disappeared completely did Aria's rigid posture collapse. She exhaled shakily, unclenching fists that had been prepared to push him away if necessary.

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Billionaire Alt

Chapter 15

company excitedly departed for a night tour of Southern Crescent's historic

cobblestone and hidden garden, she had no desire

as a

her colleagues goodnight, she settled into the town car headed back to their hotel, eager for the

Goddess, however, seemed determined to stress-test

hotel's entrance, she nearly collided with a small group of men in expensive suits exiting the lobby-at their center, Lucas himself, apparently concluding

but before she could retreat, his voice carried across the short distance:

but panic quickly overrode her surprise. She fumbled frantically in her bag, locating and securing her performance mask before reluctantly

and approached her directly, studying her with that

attire of jeans and an

no longer possible, but she refused to risk him recognizing her voice. Instead, she pointed to

quickly

Fifth position is murder on the ankles,

evenings rambling about dance technique while he

16:40

Pilli

Chapter 15

rarely heard from him: "I behaved inappropriately earlier.

"You must be starving after that

specific physiological reference to a dancer's nutrition needs caught her off guard. She had lectured him about proper post-performance

exposure versus the suspicion an outright refusal

her resolve, her traitorous

against her abdomen, unable to

seen directed at her in years. "I promise not to interrogate you," he said, a warmth in his voice

almost laughed at the irony. Was this the same man who had orchestrated ninety-eight humiliations? Who had

his interest, Aria reluctantly nodded her agreement. The

restaurant's subdued lighting created an intimate atmosphere that did nothing to ease her

attentively ensuring her water glass remained filled and even cutting her salmon into precise, manageable pieces