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 declined with

cobblestone and hidden garden, she had no

as a

her colleagues goodnight, she settled into the town car headed back to their hotel, eager for the solitude of her room and a long, hot shower to wash away the day's

however, seemed determined to stress-test

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

but before she could retreat, his voice carried across

her surprise. She fumbled frantically in her bag,

had dismissed his associates with a curt nod and approached her directly, studying her

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

voice. Instead, she pointed to her throat and made a negative gesture that any dancer would

quickly typed: "Doctor's orders. Strained vocal

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

terminology surprised her-she had spent countless evenings rambling about dance technique

16:40

Pilli

Chapter 15

an apologetic tone she'd rarely heard from him: "I behaved inappropriately earlier.

must be starving after that performance. All

had lectured

of extended exposure versus the

to undermine her resolve, her traitorous stomach growled

her abdomen, unable

into a genuine smile-one she hadn't seen directed at her in years. "I promise not to interrogate you," he said, a warmth in his voice that seemed alien compared to the cold, calculating man

the same man who had orchestrated ninety-eight humiliations? Who had ordered his friends to trap her in a burning building? His newfound courtesy seemed

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

created an intimate atmosphere that did

filled and even cutting her salmon into precise, manageable pieces when he noticed her struggling to