Chapter 171

Lucas Bennett hesitated at the door, his knuckles hovering just inches from the wood. He didn’t want to disturb her, so he stayed rooted in place, leaning against the wall.

Hours ticked by.

By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, Evelyn Carter finally stepped out of the elevator, arms laden with grocery bags. She froze when she spotted Lucas still lingering in the hallway.

Still here?

She exhaled sharply but said nothing, scanning her fingerprint to unlock the door. As she stepped inside, Lucas moved to follow.

Evelyn turned, blocking the entrance with her body. "I just realized I forgot the salad dressing," she said smoothly, her voice deceptively light. "Would you mind grabbing a bottle? I’m cooking for Claire tonight."

At the mention of Claire Dawson, Lucas nodded without protest, turning back toward the elevator.

The moment the doors slid shut, Evelyn slammed the door with a satisfying thud.

As if I’d let him waltz in here.

Inside, Claire was sprawled on the couch, flipping through a reality show. She glanced up as Evelyn dumped the groceries on the counter. "Back so soon?"

Evelyn smirked. "Obviously."

"Any dinner preferences? I'll whip something up," Evelyn offered, slipping off her heels by the entrance.

Claire tapped her chin, considering. The thought of Evelyn cooking after a grueling workday didn't sit right. "Let's dine out tonight," she countered brightly.

Neither brought up Lucas.

The security feed by the door had captured everything—including the shadow lingering outside their penthouse all afternoon. Impossible to miss, really.

Evelyn disappeared into her walk-in closet, calling over her shoulder, "Your pick. Where to?"

"The Eclipse Lounge!" Claire declared without hesitation.

"Dinner at a nightclub?" Evelyn's skeptical voice floated through the half-open door.

The Eclipse Lounge was the city's most exclusive playground. Last time they'd visited, Claire had shamelessly ordered a male escort—top-shelf, naturally.

But when her best friend set her heart on something, Evelyn never refused.

The matte-black Rolls-Royce Cullinan in their private garage was Claire's latest impulse buy. A seven-figure beast meant for off-roading, now sporting custom neon-pink racing stripes and—absurdly—diamond-encrusted hood ornaments shaped like kitten ears.

As if the roaring V12 engine wasn't announcement enough that this monstrosity belonged to a woman who played by no one's rules.

Claire revved the engine, grinning at Evelyn's eye roll. "Buckle up, darling. Tonight's going to be legendary."

The city lights blurred past as they merged onto the boulevard, two queens in their armored chariot. Somewhere behind them, a certain unwanted shadow finally gave up his vigil.

Good riddance.

When Lucas returned with the salad dressing, he spotted a sleek car pulling out of the gated community.

The ridiculous bunny ears on the dashboard were impossible to miss, making him do a double take.

That was when he saw Claire sitting in the passenger seat, her expression unreadable behind tinted windows.

Lucas's heart lurched. Without thinking, he sprinted forward, planting himself directly in the car's path.

"Claire! Where are you going?" His voice was tight with panic. The thought of her slipping away again made his chest constrict.

The window rolled down halfway, revealing Claire's icy, aristocratic profile.

Her makeup was flawless—smoky eyeshadow, sharp contour, and those blood-red lips that always made her look like she was seconds away from either kissing someone or destroying them.

"Eclipse Lounge. Dinner plans," she said coolly.

Lucas scowled. "A nightclub for dinner?"

"I enjoy the ambiance. Now move."

Before he could argue, the window slid back up, and the Rolls-Royce purred away.

Cursing under his breath, Lucas chucked the salad dressing onto the nearest bench. He bolted to his car, tires screeching as he tore after them.

Eclipse Lounge was pulsing with energy, the bass thumping through the dimly lit space.

Evelyn and Claire lounged in a velvet-upholstered booth, sipping cocktails when the manager appeared, all smarmy smiles.

Recognizing them from last time—especially remembering their preferences—he quickly ushered over two fresh-faced young men.

Both looked barely legal, their nervous energy palpable.

The manager leaned in conspiratorially. "Ladies, these two just started tonight. Untouched. You’re their first."

Evelyn arched a brow, studying them. They fidgeted, eyes darting everywhere but at her.

Claire didn’t even glance up. She lazily pointed at the one with tousled blond hair and an awkwardly endearing smile.

"Him."

The other boy looked like he might faint from relief.