Chapter 37

Lila's Pov

The memory of Sienna's face at the bar gnawed at me. Her forced smile, the way her eyes darted away when she thought I wasn't looking. She was hurting. I saw it. She pretended the sight of Daniel and his little harem meant nothing, but her sudden quietness screamed louder than any outburst. I knew my friend. She was a mess.

Back in my apartment, the silence was heavy. I kicked off my heels. My phone felt cold in my hand. Sienna needed more than a shoulder to cry on. She needed facts. She needed proof. She needed to see Evan for the poisonous snake he was.

I pulled out my phone, fingers flying. First call: Mark, my old contact in financial investigations. "Hey, Mark. Lila Dubois. Got a favor. I need everything you can dig up on an Evan Thompson. Think messy divorce, but more like a financial implosion. Recent business ventures, associates, bank movements, anything shady. Discreet, as always."

Mark grunted. "Thompson, huh? Sounds familiar. Give me a few hours. This going to be interesting?"

"Always," I replied, a grim smile touching my lips. "For me, anyway." I hung up.

My mind raced. Evan was a con artist. A manipulator. He always had been. But the way he'd come back, spinning tales of family and love, it reeked of desperation. He wasn't just after a soft landing; he was after a lifeline. And Sienna, with her suddenly blossoming art career, was the perfect target. He'd never cared about her art before. Now, he was practically a fan. The thought made my stomach churn.

I pulled off my jacket, tossing it onto a chair. I paced my living room, the city lights outside my window a blur. This wasn't just about protecting Sienna's heart. It was about protecting her future. Her money. Her sanity. Evan was a leech. And leeches always came back for more.

The phone buzzed in my hand. I glanced at the screen. Unknown number. I almost let it go to voicemail. Then I decided against it. You never knew who had a tip. "Lila Dubois," I announced, my voice crisp.

"Well, well, Lila Dubois," a smooth, confident voice drawled. "The woman who always answers the phone. I appreciate that. Not many people do these days. It's Jake."

My eyebrows shot up. Jake. Daniel's partner. The playboy. This was... unexpected. My lips quirked. "Jake. To what do I owe the pleasure? Did Daniel send you to soften me up? Or are you just bored?"

He chuckled. A low, pleasing sound. "Neither. I'm just a man who appreciates a challenge. And you, Lila, are a glorious challenge. I saw you at the bar last night. You have a fire. I like fire."

"And you have a line," I retorted, amusement lacing my voice. "A very well practiced one, I'm sure. But you can save it. I'm not easily impressed by flashy cars or expensive suits, Jake."

"Wouldn't dream of it," he purred. "My charm is all natural, darling. Takes years to cultivate. Just like your wit, I imagine. It's sharp. Cuts right to the bone. I admire that."

He was good. Damn good. He wasn't trying too hard, but his confidence was undeniable. "You flatter me," I stated, a hint of sarcasm in my tone. "But I'm a busy woman, Jake. What do you want?"

"Dinner," he declared, his voice firm, leaving no room for argument. "My treat. No business talk. Just good food and even better conversation. Your choice of cuisine. My choice of venue. How does that sound?"

I paused. Dinner. With Jake. The man who was literally part of Daniel's little show at the bar. The irony was almost palatable. But the idea, the sheer audacity of it, was intriguing. And a distraction, I admitted to myself. A welcome one from the dark thoughts swirling around Evan.

"You're bold," I said, a playful sigh in my voice. "I'll give you that. But why me, Jake? There were plenty of... eager women at the bar last night. I'm sure you could have your pick."

He chuckled again. "Eager women are a dime a dozen, Lila. You, on the other hand, are a diamond. Cut with precision. And I'm a collector of fine things. Plus," he lowered his voice, a hint of something deeper in his tone, "I like a woman who protects her friends. Sienna is lucky to have you. And I think you could use a night off from being her knight in shining armor."

That last part hit home. He saw it. He saw the burden I carried for Sienna. It was a surprising, almost unsettling level of insight from a man like him. It made me pause.

"Alright, Jake," I announced, a playful sigh in my voice. "You've made your case. Send me the details. But if the food isn't spectacular, you're buying me two more meals as compensation."

"Deal," he replied instantly, his voice brimming with satisfaction. "I'll make it unforgettable, Lila. Prepare to be impressed."

He hung up. I stared at my phone. A dinner with Jake. It was ridiculous. But it was also... exciting. A different kind of game. A distraction. Just what I needed. For now. But my thoughts quickly returned to Evan. Jake was a distraction, but Evan was a threat. And I needed to know just how big of a threat he truly was. Mark's call couldn't come soon enough. The hunter in me was fully awake.