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.

16:40

Billionaire Alt

Chapter 15

the rest of the company excitedly departed for a night tour of Southern Crescent's historic district, Aria

resident who had spent years intimately familiar with every cobblestone and hidden garden, she had no desire to revisit

a

into the town car headed back to their hotel, eager for the solitude of her room and a long, hot shower to wash

seemed determined to

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

instinct was immediate flight, but before she could retreat, his voice carried across the

fumbled frantically in her

approached her directly,

attire of jeans and an oversized sweater. "Why are you still hiding behind

realized evasion was no longer possible, but she refused to risk him recognizing her voice. Instead, she pointed to her throat and made a negative gesture that any dancer

she quickly typed:

murder on the ankles,

ballet terminology surprised her-she had spent countless evenings rambling about dance technique while he half-listened, never expecting him

16:40

Pilli

Chapter 15

rarely heard from

the hotel's restaurant. "You must be starving after that

dancer's nutrition needs caught her off guard. She had lectured him about proper post-performance refueling dozens

hesitated, mentally calculating the risks of extended exposure versus the suspicion an outright refusal might

if to undermine her resolve, her traitorous stomach growled

a hand against her abdomen, unable to hide

"I promise not to interrogate you," he said, a warmth in his voice that seemed alien compared to

Was this the same man who had orchestrated ninety-eight humiliations? Who had ordered his friends to trap her in a

only intensify his interest, Aria reluctantly nodded her agreement. The sooner she could

lighting created an intimate atmosphere that did nothing

her water glass remained filled and even cutting her salmon into