Chapter 3 3

Lila stepped out into the hallway, the door closing behind her with a soft click, sealing her off from the intoxicating heat of Adrian's presence. Her pulse was still racing, her lips tingling from his kiss. For a moment, she stood there, her back against the cool wall, trying to gather her thoughts.

She hadn't expected this. Adrian Blackwood was supposed to be just another mark-a cold, rich CEO she could charm, manipulate, and leave behind once she'd secured what she wanted. But the way he looked at her, the way he kissed her-it wasn't just lust. It was like he saw through her, peeling back the layers of her facade as easily as if he'd sliced through paper.

Lila took a deep breath, steadying herself. Get it together, she scolded herself silently. This is what you wanted. She couldn't afford to let her emotions get in the way. Not when she was so close.

She smoothed a hand down her dress, straightened her posture, and made her way back to the main bar. The noise and bright lights enveloped her like a protective shield, pulling her back into the role she'd perfected over the years-the confident, sultry woman who always knew what she was doing.

As she slipped back into her booth, she noticed her phone buzzing on the table. The screen lit up with a name she hadn't expected to see tonight: Ethan Calloway.

A frown creased her brow. She hesitated, then picked it up, sliding her thumb across the screen to answer. "Ethan," she said, her voice guarded.

"Lila," came the smooth, familiar voice on the other end. There was a note of amusement there, but she could hear the edge beneath it. "I hear you've been busy tonight."

She leaned back, forcing herself to smile as though he could see it. "News travels fast."

"It does when you're in my circles," Ethan replied, his tone light but laced with an unspoken threat. "I saw you leave with Adrian Blackwood. You're playing a dangerous game."

"You know me," she said breezily, though her fingers tightened around the phone. "I live for danger."

"Adrian isn't like the others," Ethan warned. "He's sharper. You won't fool him as easily."

"Are you worried about me, Ethan?" she teased, though her heart skipped a beat at his words. Was it concern she heard, or something darker?

"I'm worried about my investment," Ethan shot back. "We had a deal, Lila. Remember why you're doing this."

The reminder was like a bucket of ice water poured over her. She had almost forgotten, in the heat of the moment with Adrian, why she was really here. It wasn't just for the money. It was for the deal she'd made with Ethan months ago-a deal she couldn't back out of.

"I haven't forgotten," she said, her voice colder now.

"Good," Ethan said. There was a pause, then he added, "Just don't let him get under your skin. You're smarter than that."

"Of course," she replied, forcing a laugh. "Adrian Blackwood is just another billionaire. He's nothing special."

"Then prove it," Ethan said, and the line went dead.

Lila stared at her phone for a moment, a bitter taste in her mouth. She hated the way Ethan spoke to her, like he owned her, like she was just a pawn in his game. But he was right. She had to remember what was at stake. She couldn't afford to lose focus, not when she was so close to pulling off the biggest score of her life.

She slipped her phone into her clutch and stood up, heading for the exit. The cool night air hit her like a slap as she stepped out onto the sidewalk. Rain drizzled down, the droplets glittering under the streetlights. She pulled her coat tighter around her shoulders, glancing around for a cab.

Before she could raise her hand, a sleek black car pulled up to the curb. The tinted window rolled down, revealing Adrian's driver-a tall, stone-faced man who looked like he belonged in a security detail.

"Ms. Monroe," the driver said, his voice polite but firm. "Mr. Blackwood instructed me to take you home."

Lila raised an eyebrow, caught off guard. "Did he?"

"Yes, ma'am," the driver replied, stepping out to open the back door for her.

She hesitated, glancing back at the building. She half-expected to see Adrian watching her from one of the windows, but there was no sign of him. He was already three steps ahead, as always. He hadn't just dismissed her-he'd made sure she got home safely. The gesture was so at odds with the cold, ruthless image he projected that it threw her off balance.

Don't read into it, she told herself sternly. This is still a game.

With a sigh, she slid into the backseat, sinking into the cool leather as the driver closed the door behind her. The car pulled away smoothly, gliding through the rain-soaked streets of Manhattan.

Lila stared out the window, watching the city blur by. She knew she was being reckless, letting herself get tangled up in Adrian's web. But something about him drew her in, made her want to peel back his layers and see what lay beneath that perfect, controlled exterior.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice when the car came to a stop in front of her building. The driver opened her door, pulling her out of her reverie.

"Thank you," she said absently, stepping out onto the sidewalk. She glanced up at her apartment-a modest place by Manhattan standards, but comfortable. Safe.

As she made her way inside, she couldn't shake the feeling that tonight had changed everything. She had planned to seduce Adrian, to use him, to get what she wanted. But now, for the first time in her life, she wasn't sure who was playing whom.

The elevator ride to her floor was silent, the soft hum of the machinery the only sound. She stepped out into the dimly lit hallway, her heels clicking softly on the worn carpet. As she fished her keys out of her bag, she paused, feeling a prickle of awareness run down her spine.

Someone was watching her.

Slowly, she turned, her eyes scanning the hallway. It was empty, the lights flickering overhead. But the feeling didn't go away. She was being watched-she was sure of it.

Taking a deep breath, she unlocked her door and stepped inside, quickly shutting it behind her. She pressed her back against the door, closing her eyes for a moment to steady her nerves.

"You're losing it, Lila," she muttered to herself.

She tossed her bag onto the couch and walked over to the window, peering out at the street below. The rain had picked up, coming down in sheets now, obscuring the view. There was no sign of Adrian's car or anyone else.

Shaking her head, she turned away and headed for the kitchen. She needed a drink. Something strong to chase away the unsettling feeling in her gut.

But as she poured herself a glass of whiskey, her phone buzzed again. This time, it was a text message. She picked it up, expecting to see Ethan's name.

Instead, it was from an unknown number.

Nice night, isn't it? You looked beautiful tonight.

Her breath caught in her throat. Her fingers trembled as she typed back a response.

Who is this?

The reply came almost instantly.

Just a friend, Lila. Sweet dreams.

She stared at the screen, her heart pounding. Whoever it was, they had been watching her tonight. Watching her leave with Adrian, watching her come home.

She set the phone down slowly, her mind racing. This was no coincidence. It was a warning-a reminder that she was playing a game with stakes higher than she'd ever imagined.

And she was no longer sure who the real opponent was.