Chapter 72 Shadows in the Corridor
Briar's POV
Rowan and I stepped out of the restroom, her arm still looped through mine for balance. The corridor was bathed in the warm glow of orange-red lanterns hanging from the eaves, casting shifting patterns across the dark cedar walls.
"There you are," Garrett said, appearing from around the corner with Lucian beside him. Garrett's expression softened immediately when he saw Rowan's flushed face and unsteady steps. "Come on, let's get you home."
Rowan released my arm and latched onto Garrett instead, her fingers clutching the front of his shirt as she leaned into him with a dopey smile. "You're so warm," she mumbled, pressing her face against his shoulder. "Like a big fuzzy blanket."
Garrett's ears turned red, but he wrapped his arm around her waist to steady her. "Yeah, yeah. Let's go before you pass out in the hallway."
Rowan giggled and waved at me over her shoulder as they started down the corridor.
I suddenly remembered my clutch. I'd left it on the chair in the private dining room when I'd helped Rowan to the restroom.
"I need to grab my bag," I said, turning to Lucian. "I'll be right back."
He nodded, his gray-green eyes watching me with that steady intensity that always made my pulse quicken. "I'll wait here."
I walked back down the corridor alone, the lantern light casting long shadows that danced along the walls. The restaurant was quieter now, most of the guests having left for the night. My footsteps echoed softly as I turned the corner toward the private dining rooms.
That's when I saw her.
Chloe stood near the entrance to one of the rooms, her back to me. She wore a pale blue dress that hugged her slender frame, her blonde hair pulled back in a neat chignon. Beside her stood a taller, older woman who shared her delicate features and elegant bearing—this had to be Willow, her sister.
The realization hit me like ice water. Julian was here. In this restaurant. Right now.
My heart kicked against my ribs, and I pressed my hand against the carved wooden pillar beside me, steadying myself.
A shadow moved at the far end of the corridor, and my breath caught in my throat.
Julian stepped out of the darkness, his tall frame silhouetted against the dim light. He was wearing a black suit, and his dark hair was swept back from his face. Even from this distance, I could see the sharp line of his jaw, the cold set of his shoulders.
My body reacted before my mind could catch up. I took a step back.
But before he could step fully into the light, Chloe moved. She rushed forward and placed both hands on his chest, shoving him back into the shadows with surprising force. "Julian, wait," she said, her voice strained and desperate.
Julian's voice cut through the air like a blade. "What are you doing?"
I pressed myself harder against the pillar, my breath coming in short, shallow bursts. Then a hand slid around my waist from behind, warm and solid and achingly familiar.
Lucian's scent wrapped around me, mint and cedar and something darker, something that made my knees weak. He pulled me backward into the empty private room beside us, his movements quick and silent, and closed the door with a soft click.
The room plunged into darkness. The only light came from the moon filtering through the latticed windows. I was pressed against Lucian's chest, his arms wrapped tightly around me, and I could feel the rapid thud of his heartbeat against my back.
Outside, Julian's voice drifted through the door, cold and detached. "I don't have time to keep meeting you like this, Chloe."
Chloe's voice cracked. "Why not? You promised we'd spend more time together. You said—"
"I'm busy."
"Busy?" Her voice rose, trembling with hurt and anger. "You had time to have dinner with Briar! You were the one who asked her out!"
The silence that followed was suffocating.
Julian's voice turned colder, sharper. "Have you been spying on me?"
"I just—" Chloe's words broke off, and I could hear the tears in her voice. "I thought we were getting closer. I thought—"
"You're not her."
Lucian's arms tightened around my waist, his chest rising and falling with barely controlled fury. I could feel the tension radiating off him, the way his muscles coiled like a predator ready to strike.
I tried to pull away, to put some distance between us, but Lucian's grip only tightened. He turned me around to face him, his hand sliding up to cup my jaw, tilting my face toward his.
In the moonlight, his gray-green eyes burned with an intensity that stole my breath. For a split second, I saw a flash of gold in his irises, bright and feral, before he leaned down and kissed me.
The kiss was fierce and demanding, his lips moving against mine with a hunger that sent heat flooding through my veins. His other hand slid down to my waist, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us. I tried to push him away, my palms flat against his chest, but he only deepened the kiss, his tongue sweeping into my mouth in a way that made my knees buckle.
Footsteps echoed down the corridor, fading into the distance, but I barely heard them. All I could focus on was Lucian, the way his hands moved over my body, the way his breath mingled with mine. His fingers traced a path from my neck to my waist, his thumb brushing over the curve of my hip in a way that made me shiver.
I bit down on my lower lip to keep from making a sound, but when he nipped at my earlobe, a soft gasp escaped me. My hands clutched at his shirt, my nails digging into the fabric as I fought to stay silent.
He pinned my wrists above my head with one hand, his grip firm but not painful, and stared down at me with those burning eyes. "Are you really going to keep having dinner with him?" His voice was low and rough, laced with barely restrained jealousy.
I met his gaze, my chest heaving as I tried to catch my breath. "Sometimes I don't have a choice. It's business. But I'll tell you in advance next time."
His jaw tightened, and I could see the frustration flickering in his eyes. I reached up with my free hand and touched his face, my fingers tracing the sharp line of his cheekbone. "I can't break ties with him publicly. Not yet. But everyone in that family..." My voice dropped, cold and venomous. "They disgust me."
Something dark and dangerous flashed in his eyes, and for a moment, I saw the gold flicker again, bright and wild. His grip on my wrists tightened just slightly before he released me, his hands sliding down to rest on my hips.
"Be careful," he said quietly, his voice rough.
---
Lucian insisted on driving me home. When we pulled up to my building, he cut the engine.
I climbed out of the car and made my way to the elevator, glancing back once to see him still watching me through the windshield. I raised my hand in a small wave, and he returned it before finally pulling away.
The apartment was dark and silent when I stepped inside, the city lights glittering through the floor-to-ceiling windows like a sea of stars. I kicked off my heels and dropped my clutch on the couch, suddenly overwhelmed by the emptiness of the space. It felt too big, too quiet, too lonely.
I stood by the window for a long moment, staring out at the city below, and felt a hollowness settle in my chest. My phone buzzed with a notification, and I pulled it out to send Lucian a quick message.
Me: [Home safe?]
L: [Yeah. Nyx is demanding attention.]
A second later, a photo appeared on my screen. Nyx, Lucian's sleek black cat, was sprawled across his lap, her green eyes glowing in the low light. Another photo followed, this one showing her batting at his hand with one paw.
I laughed softly, the sound echoing in the quiet apartment, and typed out a reply.
Me: [She's spoiled.]
L: [She knows what she wants.]
Me: [Must run in the family.]
L: [Careful. You're starting to sound like you enjoy it.]
My fingers hovered over the keyboard, my smile widening.
Me: [Maybe I do.]
The conversation continued, light and easy, and I felt the tension in my chest slowly unwind. I climbed into bed, still holding my phone, and curled up under the covers. Drowsiness washed over me, my eyelids growing heavier and heavier until sleep claimed me completely.