CHAPTER 002

One arm stretched over the rearrest as Lucas Carter relaxed on the soft leather couch; his other palm sloppily whirled the amber liquid in his glass. The dark glow of The Crimson Lounge accentuated his keen features by throwing flickering shadows around him. This was custom—once a month getting together with Zachary and Nathan to relax. Bound by loyalty and a past no one else could fathom, they had been inseparable from childhood.

Nathan and Zachary were not only buddies. Working for him, they trusted him and unquestioningly followed his lead. Anything.

Zachary grinned and slanted his glass toward the dance floor beneath, remarking, "That woman is quite attractive."

Lucas didn't bother turning around right away; he was seated facing the glass wall with his back to the throng. Zachary was not prone to openly offering compliments. Should he say someone was beautiful, they had to be worth a look.

Nathan leaned forward with enormous interest. "Who?"

The phrase "Down There" is often associated with faded jeans and T-shirts. Not even a dress will help one stand out among every woman in this area.

Lucas moved his head slightly and followed Zachary. His gaze finally rested on her; something within tensed.

The word did not even begin to describe her.

She distinguished herself from the others in several aspects. She didn't wear ostentatious clothing or make frantic efforts to attract attention. She still possessed it, all of it, though.

His eyes then focused more narrowly.

One lovely pendant wrapped around her neck. The pendant features a simple letter "C" that has been intricately engraved with diamonds.

His jaw clenched. This is the emblem of the Callahan family.

"That woman is a member of the Callahans," he said.

Both Nathan and Zachary whipped their heads toward him, their comfortable postures tightening.

"Are you sure?." Nathan queries.

Lucas let out a quick exhale. Positive.

Zachary tipped his head. "Badge." She doesn't, however, seem to fit any of them. She seems, in comparison to Lillian, really naive. He cast Lucas a sharp glance. Why not wed this one instead? Lillian is a gold-digging, cheating serpent. This one looks like an improvement.

Nathan pointed. Not to be overlooked, she has been flirting with Ryan.

Lucas's hold strengthened around his glass. He need not have the reminder. He had discovered Lillian and Ryan together in Ryan's apartment personally. It was hardly even a betrayal—not really. He had never paid her any attention. But the agreement between their families gave him no option.

One could only find a Carter wife among Callahan women.

The idea turned his stomach over. Though it horrified him, he had been ready to overlook it and honor the arrangement. But his tolerance had cracked the instant he saw them together. He loved nothing except Ryan. Constant had. That day, he yearned only to have his bare hands tear him apart.

"I need evidence. He spoke softly and under control. " Solid evidence."How many researchers have I hired? Do you know? Lillian improved in intelligence. She starts covering her traces right now.

Though neither spoke, Nathan and Zachary exchanged tense looks.

Lucas would figure out a way. He constantly performed.

CuriosityTugging at him, his eyes returned to the woman below. She locked in what seemed to be a tense conversation and stood close to her friend. Her hands moved in a way that suggested something was wrong—her brows furrowed. His enhanced senses let him concentrate, drowning out the music, the conversation, and the clinking of glasses around him.

Eva, this is insane. Cassidy sounded disappointed. "What if he proves to be a psycho? You have drunkenness here. You are not approaching reality.

Eva, the woman, shook her head with a stubborn look.

I am intoxicated, sure of it. I only have the guts to do this for that reason. She let out a strong sigh. I had to wed that man. She is a ladyizer. Slept his way through half our classmates. He doesn't deserve my loyalty, let alone my virginity."

Lucas's brows pushed together. Engaged? To some unfaithful bastard? His jaw clenched.

The notion of her in someone else's arms sparked something deep within him—something deadly. He shook his head, moving away.

It's none of your business.

A startling exclamation drew his attention back.

Nathan's eyes widened. Holy hell.

Lucas spun around.

Eva stood on the bar countertop. Her T-shirt disappeared, leaving her with only those low-rise pants and a bra.

Lust-filled gazes fastened onto her from every way.

Inside him a sharp, strange possessiveness sprang.

Before he knew what he was doing, he was on his feet, rushing downstairs with calculated, powerful strides. The audience scarcely registered as he closed the distance between them. He grabbed her wrist as he arrived and dragged her down.

She staggered into his arms and gasped. "Hey!"

"Quiet.".

She halted.

He raised her into his arms without another word, seeing past the whispers and stares. Nobody is brave enough to get involved. They were familiar with him.

Cassidy reached out to try to intervene. "Hi!" She is a buddy of mine—'

Lucas moved without slowing down. Lucas brought Eva straight to his waiting automobile from the exit. As Lucas dropped Eva inside, slipping in beside her before the door closed, his driver stood by the door, but Lucas hardly noticed him.

The distance separating them from the driver grew.

Eva moaned. This situation is unfair, in my opinion.

Lucas silence.

She was intoxicated. Arguing with a drunken woman was useless.

She groaned theatrically and crossed her arms. You know, you did not have to manhandle me.

stillness.

She peeped up at him through heavy-lidded eyes a moment later. "Who actually are you?"

His eyes flicked to her to evaluate. "Get ready for sleep."

She gasped. "Rude."

Lucas leaned back, exhaling through his nose, then watched the city lights blur past the tinted windows.

He was uncertain about what had recently happened to him.

One thing was clear, though—he was not allowing Eva Callahan to leave.