THE BUSINESS TRIP
920 Words
CHAPTER FOUR
Leana’s phone buzzed insistently. She looked up to find Lucas standing in the doorway of her apartment, suitcase in hand, perfectly composed as always.
“Pack your things,” he said.
“Excuse me?”
“We leave in two hours,” he stated flatly.
“For… where?”
“Montreal. Business trip. Meetings. Negotiations. You’re assisting me.”
Her jaw dropped. “You didn’t… you didn’t tell me this yesterday!”
“You didn’t ask,” he replied evenly.
“Well, why would I ask about a random three-day trip?!” she snapped.
He stepped closer, eyes dark and sharp. “That’s exactly why you need to be ready. Buy what you need. Don’t be late.”
“I don’t even have a suitcase!”
“Then get one. Now. Carter.”
Leana groaned, grabbing her keys. This is impossible.
Two hours later, she was sprinting through the airport, rolling a small suitcase that refused to cooperate. By the time she reached the private jet, she was breathless and frazzled.
Lucas was already seated, reviewing documents, headphones in. He didn’t even glance at her.
“Carter,” he said finally, removing one earbud.
“Yes?”
“This trip requires trust.”
“Trust?” she asked, frowning. “From… who?”
“Both of us.”
Her brow furrowed. “It’s just a business trip. Why do we need… trust?”
“You’ll understand soon enough,” he said, eyes dark and unreadable.
She sank into her seat, staring out the window. She couldn’t shake the way he had looked at her in the office intense, calculating, and impossibly magnetic.
“Do you always stare at your assistants like that?” she asked, testing him.
“Do you always ask questions like that?” he countered.
“It’s curiosity,” she said, shrugging.
“Curiosity can be dangerous,” he murmured.
“I’m not trying to be dangerous,” she replied, though her pulse raced.
“Dangerous isn’t always bad,” he said, smirk tugging at his lips.
A chime from his phone interrupted the tension. He glanced at it, expression tightening.
“Perfect timing,” he muttered.
“What now?”
“Someone isn’t happy about your arrival,” he said, voice low. “And they’re going to make themselves very obvious tomorrow.”
Her stomach dropped. “Someone? Who?”
“Patience, Carter. You’ll see soon enough. But be ready. And trust me you’ll want to be standing next to me when it happens.”
Her pulse spiked. “Standing next to you?”
“Yes,” he said, voice low, teasing. “You’ll need me.”
“Why does that feel… exciting?” she asked, cheeks flushing.
“Exciting can be dangerous,” he replied, eyes dark. “And dangerous… can be fun.”
By evening, they were in the hotel lobby. Leana struggled to keep her balance in the heels he had insisted she wear.
“Careful, Carter,” he said softly, stepping closer.
“I’m fine,” she snapped, though her knees betrayed her.
“You’ll need to be more than fine tomorrow. Focused. Ready for anything.”
“Anything?”
“Exactly,” he said, dark eyes locking on hers. “Anything.”
Her pulse raced. She wanted to ask anything else, but he turned to the elevators, leaving her with questions and that familiar, magnetic tension.
Later, in her hotel room, she collapsed onto the bed, suitcase at her feet. Her phone buzzed. An unknown number flashed:
"We’re watching. Don’t get too comfortable."
Her heart jumped.
Lucas’s earlier words echoed: “Be ready. You’ll want to be standing next to me when it happens.”
Her mind raced. Who was watching? What could possibly be waiting for tomorrow?
Her phone buzzed again, this time a second message:
"You shouldn’t be here alone."
Her pulse spiked. She grabbed her laptop, heart thudding. Before she could process, the door opened.
Lucas stood there, leaning casually in the doorway, dark eyes unreadable.
“You read the message,” he said quietly, smirk faint.
“I… I didn’t…” she stammered.
“Yes, you did,” he said softly. “And it worries you, doesn’t it?”
“Yes,” she admitted, heart racing.
“You’ll see tomorrow. Everything changes.
And Carter…” He stepped closer. “Whatever happens, stay close. You’re going to need me.”
“Why does that feel… terrifying and exciting all at once?” she whispered.
He didn’t answer. Just leaned in slightly, close enough for her to feel the heat from his body, before stepping back and turning to leave.
“Good luck tomorrow, Carter,” he said, voice low, almost a whisper. “You’re going to need it.”
Leana’s pulse was wild. Her thoughts tumbled: Change everything? What does that mean?
Who’s coming? And why does it feel like I’m standing on the edge of something dangerous… and thrilling?
Leana’s phone buzzed again. Another unknown number flashed:
“You’ll regret underestimating him… and her.”
Her pulse spiked.
Lucas’s words echoed in her mind: “Be ready. You’ll want to be standing right next to me when it happens."
The hotel room felt too small, too quiet, the air thick with something unseen.
She gripped her laptop tightly. Whoever was sending these messages… they were watching.
And for the first time, she understood: tomorrow would test everything her courage, her wits… and her heart.
One thing was certain: she would need Lucas Hale and fast.
- Writer
