Lucas Vale's car was waiting outside the lounge.
It was black, sleek, and looked like it had been built for speed. Chloe had never seen a vehicle so expensive in her life. It made her feel small, like she was stepping into a world that wasn't meant for her.
Lucas opened the door for her.
"After you," he said.
Chloe hesitated for a moment, then stepped inside.
The car's interior was luxurious—black leather seats, soft lighting, and a scent of expensive cologne lingering in the air. Chloe sat quietly, feeling her heart race.
Lucas closed the door and got in.
He started the engine, and the car glided through the streets of Paris like a shadow.
Chloe stared out the window, watching the city pass by. The lights blurred into long lines, and she felt a strange mixture of fear and excitement.
She turned to Lucas.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
Lucas didn't answer immediately.
He looked at her, his expression unreadable.
"We're going to my home," he said finally.
Chloe's heart skipped.
"Your home?" she repeated.
Lucas nodded. "Yes."
Chloe swallowed. "Why would you bring me to your home?"
Lucas's eyes narrowed. "Because it's the only place where you'll be safe."
Chloe's stomach twisted.
"Safe from who?" she asked.
Lucas's gaze was intense. "From Elise."
Chloe's breath hitched.
She remembered the woman in the red dress.
The woman who had watched her.
The woman who had smiled like she already owned Chloe.
Chloe's hands trembled. "Who is she?"
Lucas's expression darkened. "She's the reason I'm here."
Chloe frowned. "What do you mean?"
Lucas's voice dropped. "She made a promise to someone long ago. And she's trying to make me pay for it."
Chloe stared at him. "What promise?"
Lucas's jaw tightened. "That's not your concern."
Chloe felt anger rise inside her.
"Everything about this is my concern," she said.
Lucas's eyes flickered.
He didn't look angry.
He looked… impressed.
"Good," he said softly. "Because you're going to need to fight."
Chloe swallowed.
"Fight what?" she asked.
Lucas's expression was cold. "Fight her."
Chloe's heart pounded.
She didn't know how she could fight a woman she didn't even know.
She didn't know how she could fight a world she didn't understand.
But she knew one thing:
She couldn't run.
Not anymore.
The car continued to glide through the night, and Chloe watched the streets change. The buildings became larger, the lights dimmer. They were leaving the busy part of Paris behind.
After a while, Lucas turned onto a long road that led to a private area. Chloe felt her heart race.
The car stopped in front of a large gate.
The gate was tall and made of black iron. It looked like it belonged to a castle.
Chloe stared at it in shock.
Lucas stepped out and walked to the gate. He pressed a button, and the gate opened slowly with a heavy creak.
Chloe's mouth went dry.
This wasn't a house.
It was a fortress.
Lucas walked toward the entrance, and Chloe followed.
They entered a long driveway lined with trees.
The mansion at the end looked like it had been built centuries ago. It was beautiful, but it also looked cold and unwelcoming.
Lucas walked up the stairs and opened the front door.
The inside was just as luxurious as the outside. Dark wood, marble floors, and expensive art on the walls.
Chloe felt like she had stepped into a different world.
Lucas led her into a large living room with a fireplace. He motioned for her to sit.
Chloe sat down, her body still trembling.
Lucas sat across from her.
The silence between them felt heavy.
Finally, Lucas spoke.
"Do you have any questions?" he asked.
Chloe hesitated. "Yes."
Lucas nodded. "Ask."
Chloe took a deep breath.
"Why me?" she asked.
Lucas's eyes narrowed. "Because you are the only one who can save me."
Chloe's heart skipped.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
Lucas leaned forward slightly.
"Because Elise is not just a threat to you," he said. "She's a threat to me."
Chloe stared at him. "Why?"
Lucas's voice was low. "Because she knows a secret about me."
Chloe's hands trembled. "What secret?"
Lucas's expression darkened. "A secret that could destroy everything I've built."
Chloe's breath caught.
"You mean your business?" she asked.
Lucas shook his head. "No."
Chloe frowned. "Then what?"
Lucas's eyes locked onto hers.
"My past," he said.
Chloe's heart pounded.
Lucas's voice grew softer.
"I did things I'm not proud of," he said. "Things that made me who I am."
Chloe stared at him.
"You're not a monster," she said quietly.
Lucas's eyes flickered.
"You don't know that," he said.
Chloe swallowed.
"I don't," she admitted.
Lucas's gaze softened.
"Then don't decide yet," he said. "Wait until you know the truth."
Chloe nodded slowly.
The silence returned.
Chloe felt the weight of the moment.
She was sitting in the mansion of a billionaire she barely knew.
She was trapped in a world of secrets.
She was living inside a promise.
And she didn't know if she would survive.
Lucas stood up suddenly.
"I'll show you your room," he said.
Chloe stood up too, surprised. "Room?"
Lucas nodded. "Yes. You will stay here tonight."
Chloe's stomach twisted. "I can't stay here."
Lucas's expression turned serious. "You can. And you will."
Chloe felt anger rise again.
"No," she said. "I'm leaving."
Lucas's eyes hardened. "You won't."
Chloe stared at him. "Why not?"
Lucas walked closer. "Because Elise is already here."
Chloe froze.
"What?" she whispered.
Lucas's voice was calm. "She followed you."
Chloe's heart pounded.
She looked toward the window.
Outside, the night was dark.
But Chloe could feel eyes watching her.
She could feel danger.
Lucas walked closer and grabbed her hand again.
"Listen to me," he said. "You're not safe outside. Not now."
Chloe's voice shook. "Why would she follow me?"
Lucas's eyes were intense. "Because you're the key."
Chloe's mind raced.
"The key to what?" she asked.
Lucas's gaze dropped.
He didn't answer.
Instead, he opened a door and led her to a staircase.
Chloe followed him, her heart racing.
They climbed the stairs, and Lucas stopped at a door.
"This is your room," he said.
Chloe stared at the door.
It was heavy and made of dark wood.
It looked like a prison.
Lucas opened the door.
Inside was a large bedroom with a king-size bed, dark curtains, and a large window that overlooked the city. The room was beautiful, but it felt cold.
Chloe stepped inside slowly.
Lucas followed her.
He stood by the door.
"Are you going to lock me in?" Chloe asked.
Lucas's expression softened. "No."
Chloe stared at him. "Then what?"
Lucas walked closer and leaned in.
His voice was low. "I'm going to protect you."
Chloe's heart raced.
She didn't know what to say.
She didn't know if she should trust him.
Lucas's eyes flickered.
Then he stepped closer and kissed her.
It was not a gentle kiss.
It was a kiss that felt like a warning.
A kiss that said:
You belong to me now.
Chloe's body froze.
She didn't pull away.
But she didn't push him away either.
She just stood there, letting the kiss happen, feeling the heat rise in her body.
When Lucas pulled away, Chloe's breath came in short gasps.
Lucas stared at her.
"Tomorrow," he said softly, "you will learn the truth."
Chloe's voice was barely a whisper. "What truth?"
Lucas's eyes were dark. "The truth about why you were chosen."
Chloe's heart pounded.
She didn't know what the truth was.
But she knew one thing:
Her life was no longer hers.
It belonged to Lucas Vale.
And the dark promise he made was only beginning.