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

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

garden, she

a weapon against

to their hotel, eager for the solitude of her room and a long, hot shower to wash away the

however, seemed determined

nearly collided with a small group of men in expensive suits exiting the lobby-at their center, Lucas

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

fumbled frantically in her bag,

and approached her directly, studying her with that penetrating gaze

jeans

to risk him recognizing her voice. Instead, she

her phone, she quickly typed: "Doctor's orders. Strained

I imagine. Fifth position is murder on the ankles, too, isn't it? Especially for principals

spent countless evenings rambling about dance technique

16:40

Pilli

Chapter 15

apologetic tone she'd rarely heard from him: "I behaved inappropriately earlier. Let me make it

"You must be starving after that performance. All that glycogen

a dancer's nutrition needs caught her off guard. She had lectured him about proper

the risks of extended exposure

resolve, her

unable

warmth in his voice that seemed alien compared to the cold, calculating man she had fled. "We can

this the same man who had orchestrated ninety-eight humiliations? Who had ordered

refusal would only intensify his interest, Aria reluctantly nodded her agreement. The sooner she could get through this meal, the sooner she

intimate atmosphere that

hungry himself, Lucas merely picked at his steak, instead attentively ensuring her water glass remained filled