Chapter 14
773 Words
Chapter Fourteen
Sophie sat on the edge of the plush leather couch in Lucas’s penthouse, staring at the glittering city skyline through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The lights stretched endlessly, a dazzling maze of power and ambition—a reflection of the man standing just a few feet away.
Lucas had barely said a word since they arrived. He poured himself a drink, his movements slow, deliberate, but Sophie could feel the tension radiating off him.
She wasn’t sure if it was because of the threat she’d received…
Or because she was still here.
Staying the night in Lucas Blackwell’s home.
She should have argued more. She should have insisted on leaving. But the truth was… she wasn’t sure where else to go. Whoever had made that call knew where she lived. And if Lucas was right—if this went deeper than just a few disgruntled workers—then she was in more danger than she’d realized.
Still, the idea of relying on Lucas Blackwell made her stomach twist.
Because the more time she spent in his world…
The harder it was to remember why she had wanted to bring him down in the first place.
A Deal of a Different Kind
Lucas finally turned, setting his drink down with a quiet clink. “You’re too quiet.”
Sophie arched a brow. “You expected me to start screaming?”
His lips twitched, but the amusement didn’t reach his eyes. “I expected you to fight me on this more.”
She exhaled, leaning back against the couch. “I’m exhausted, Lucas. And as much as I hate to admit it, you’re right. Someone’s watching me. Maybe even following me. I don’t know if they just want to scare me or if they want something worse.”
His jaw tightened. “They won’t get the chance.”
The quiet certainty in his voice sent a strange shiver through her.
Sophie swallowed, shifting uncomfortably. “Why are you so invested in this? In me?”
Lucas studied her, his gaze unreadable. “Because you’re in the middle of something you don’t understand. And because…” He paused, as if choosing his words carefully. “I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Something about the way he said it—gruff, almost reluctant—made her stomach flip.
She looked away, trying to focus on the city beyond the glass. “You make it sound like I have a choice. Like I could just walk away from this story.”
Lucas exhaled, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “Maybe you should.”
She scoffed. “Now you want me to stop digging?”
“I want you to stay alive.”
Silence stretched between them.
Because they both knew Sophie Miller didn’t walk away from stories.
And Lucas Blackwell didn’t let go of things he wanted.
A Shift in the Air
The weight of the moment hung heavy, unspoken tension curling around them like smoke.
Sophie stood abruptly. “I need some air.”
Lucas’s gaze flicked to her, assessing. “The balcony’s open.”
She nodded, pushing past him toward the glass doors. The night air hit her the moment she stepped outside, cool and sharp against her heated skin. The city stretched beneath her, lights twinkling like fallen stars.
She gripped the railing, inhaling deeply.
She needed to clear her head. To remind herself who she was.
But when Lucas followed her out, standing just a few feet away, the space suddenly felt too small.
Too intimate.
“You’re not used to letting people help you,” he said quietly.
Sophie’s fingers tightened on the railing. “And you’re not used to people questioning you.”
He let out a quiet chuckle. “Touché.”
Silence settled between them, thick with something unspoken.
Then, softer, Lucas said, “You’re the first person in a long time who’s looked at me and seen more than just the name.”
Sophie turned her head slightly, her breath catching at the way he was looking at her.
Like she was the only thing in the world worth focusing on.
Her heart pounded.
She needed to step back. To put distance between them.
But for some reason, she didn’t.
Instead, she whispered, “Maybe you’re the first person who’s made me want to look deeper.”
Lucas’s jaw tightened, his gaze dropping to her lips for the briefest second before flicking back to her eyes.
Something shifted.
Something dangerous.
And for the first time since she started chasing this story…
Sophie wasn’t sure if she was hunting the truth—
Or falling into it.
- Writer
