It wasn't the shark smile this time. It was something else. Possession. " Write him a check for 50,000." she told Arthur.
Lucas blinked. " 50?" " Consider it a retainer." she said, stepping into his personal space. She reached out and plucked a speck of grease from his collar. "
Because you're not going home, Lucas. You're coming with me." " Excuse me?" " You fixed the engine, but the gala is tonight. If it breaks down again while I'm on stage, my stock tanks.
I need insurance. You are my insurance." " I can't." Lucas said, backing away. " My daughter.
I have to get her medicine." Victoria snapped her fingers. One of the suits, a large man with an earpiece, stepped forward. " Details?" " Sophie Bennett."
Lucas said defensively. " Insulin. CVS on 4th." " Go." Victoria ordered the bodyguard. "
Pick up the medication. Deliver it to the address on Mr. Bennett's file. Ensure the child has a nanny for the night. If she doesn't, hire the best one in the city." She turned back to Lucas. "
Your daughter is taken care of. Now get in the car." " I'm dirty." Lucas argued. " I smell like 10W-40." "
I don't care if you smell like a landfill." Victoria hissed, her eyes flashing. " We have a deal. You fixed the engine. I said I'd marry you.
I may have been joking about the ring, but I never joke about contracts." She grabbed his wrist, her skin soft and cool against his rough, scarred arm, and pulled him toward the multi-million dollar car. " Get in, Lucas. Your life just changed." As Lucas was shoved into the passenger seat of the hypercar, he caught a glimpse of Frank's face.
Pure shock. The engine roared. Victoria punched the gas and they shot out of the garage, leaving the world of debt and dust behind, speeding toward a world of champagne lies and sharks in tuxedos. Lucas touched the pocket where his phone was. He had saved the car.
But as they merged onto the highway, hitting 100 miles per hour in seconds, he realized the real danger wasn't the engine. It was the woman driving. The journey to the Sterling Tower was a blur of neon lights and G-force. Victoria drove like she owned the road, which in a way she did. " You're quiet."
she said, not taking her eyes off the traffic. The interior of the car was like a spaceship cockpit, all digital displays and ambient lighting. " I'm wondering if I'm being kidnapped." Lucas muttered. " Recruited."
she corrected. Aggressively. They pulled into the underground VIP entrance of the Sterling Tower. Security teams waved them through instantly. When the car stopped, a team of detailers swarmed it before the engine had even stopped spinning.
Victoria was out instantly. " Come on. We have 40 minutes." She led him into a private elevator. As the numbers climbed, Lucas saw his reflection in the polished brass doors.
He looked ridiculous. A mechanic in stained blue coveralls standing next to a goddess in white silk. I can't go out there like this, he said. Obviously, Victoria said. She tapped her earpiece.
Prepare the guest suite A. I need a tuxedo. Measurements. She scanned Lucas with her eyes, assessing him with clinical precision. Broad shoulders, 42 long, 34 waist. And get a barber.
The elevator doors opened into a penthouse suite that was larger than Lucas's entire apartment building. Shower. She pointed to a door. You have 10 minutes. Don't make me come get you.
20 minutes later, Lucas Bennett emerged. He felt strange. The tuxedo was midnight blue, tailored as if it had been made for him years ago. His jaw was freshly shaved, revealing the sharp, handsome features that grief and exhaustion had hidden for so long. He looked like the man he used to be.
Lucas Bennett, MIT prodigy before the world fell apart. Victoria was waiting in the living room, sipping a glass of scotch. She turned and the glass paused halfway to her lips. She stared. Her eyes widened just a fraction.
Well, she murmured, a flush creeping up her neck. It seems underneath the grease you clean up nicely. I feel like a penguin, Lucas grumbled, tugging at his cufflinks. You look like a million dollars, she said, walking over to him. She reached up and straightened his bow tie.
Her hands lingered on his chest for a second too long. Listen to me, Lucas. Tonight is a war zone. My cousin Charles Montgomery, we call him Chip, is going to be there. He wants my job.
He's the one who likely paid my engineer to quit. Lucas frowned. Sabotage? Corporate maneuvering, she corrected. He claims I'm too emotional, too volatile to run the company.
He wants to merge Sterling Motors with a generic overseas conglomerate. And what am I supposed to do? Just stand there, she said, looking him in the eyes. Look smart. If anyone asks, you're a consultant from let's say the Zurich Group.
Deep cover. Specialized in thermal dynamics. Lying? Great. Surviving, she said.
She grabbed his arm. Let's go. The gala was held in the grand ballroom of the hotel adjacent to the tower. It was a sea of black ties, diamonds, and fake smiles. As Victoria entered with Lucas on her arm, the room went quiet.
Heads turned. Whispers rippled through the crowd like wind through wheat. Who is he? Is that a new boyfriend? He looks intense.
Lucas kept his face neutral, scanning the room. He saw the way people looked at Victoria with fear, envy, and lust. She held her head high, a queen walking among peasants. Victoria! A booming voice cut through the noise.
A man approached them. He was handsome in a slimy way, with slicked-back blond hair and a smile that showed too many teeth. Charles, Victoria said, her voice dropping 10°. You made it. Charles Chip Montgomery said, eyeing her up and down.
And the car, I heard it had a coughing fit at a garage in the slums. The VX is pristine, Victoria lied smoothly. Just a sensor calibration. Chip's eyes slid to Lucas. And who is this?
I don't recognize him from the board. Lucas Bennett, Victoria said. He's my private consultant. Bennett, Chip frowned. He swirled his champagne.
Name sounds familiar. Did you work for Tesla Rivian? I work freelance, Lucas said, his voice deep and steady. Chip stepped closer, invading Lucas's personal space. You know Victoria has a habit of picking up strays.