Chapter 155
Chapter 155:
“It has the best safety rating,” Dallas said, without looking up. “Reinforced chassis. I added the bulletproof glass. It’s the only car I trust with her life p>
“You turned my masterpiece into a soccer mom tank?” Zane stared at him in open horror. “Bros before hoes, Dallas. That was the rule p>
Dallas looked up then. His eyes were cold and sharp as flint. “She is not a hoe, Zane. She is my wife p>
Zane closed his mouth. He deflated slowly into his chair with a long, surrendering sigh. “You’re gone. You are completely gone for her. You just gave away a two-million-dollar restoration project so she could drive to work safely p>
Dallas didn’t respond. His eyes drifted back to the small white dot moving through the streets of Manhattan.
Back in the car, Eliza decided to test the AI.
“Sentinel, tell me a joke p>
A pause.
“My humor parameters are uncalibrated,” the voice replied stiffly. “However, I can confirm there is a 40 percent chance of precipitation. Closing the convertible top is advised p>
That was exactly what Dallas would say. He had no patience for bad jokes.
𝗢𝘳𝘨𝖺𝗇𝘪𝘻𝖾 𝘆о𝗎𝗋 𝘭𝗶𝖻𝗋a𝗿у 𝗈ո.с𝗈𝘮
Eliza smiled and shook her head.
It was evening when Eliza returned to The Aurelia, still wrapped in the safe, solid weight of the Ghost.
She crossed the lobby, and Mrs. Gable — the sharp-eyed elderly neighbor from 3C who knew everything about everyone — waved at her from the mailboxes.
“New neighbor moved in today!” Mrs. Gable chirped.
“Oh? The unit across from me? 4A?” Eliza asked, unlocking her mailbox. The apartment had been empty for months.
“Yes. Very handsome young man. Quiet. But lots of boxes.” Mrs. Gable gave her a knowing wink. “Maybe you can borrow some sugar p>
Eliza smiled politely and stepped into the elevator.
When the doors opened on the fourth floor, Azalea was already standing in the hallway, holding a plate covered in tin foil.
“You’re late! We have to welcome the neighbor!” she announced.
“Since when do you welcome neighbors?” Eliza asked, unlocking her own door. “And I thought your dad bought the whole building. Why is Mrs. Gable still downstairs p>
“He kept her,” Azalea shrugged. “He said a building needs eyes, and Mrs. Gable watches the street like a hawk. Plus, she makes good cookies. Now come on.” She grabbed Eliza’s arm and hauled her across the hall to Unit 4A.
Azalea knocked with complete disregard for subtlety. Bang. Bang. Bang.
Eliza sighed and instinctively smoothed her hair. “Azalea, stop. He’s probably still unpacking p>
The door opened.
Dallas stood there.
He wasn’t wearing a suit. He had on grey sweatpants that hung low on his hips and a fitted black t-shirt, and he was barefoot. He looked effortlessly, infuriatingly domestic — and incredibly, unfairly attractive.
Eliza’s jaw dropped. “Dallas p>
“Hi,” he said, leaning against the doorframe as though this were the most ordinary thing in the world.
“You… you live here?” Eliza managed, pointing at the number on the door.
“Just moved in,” he said, with complete nonchalance.
“Why?” she demanded. “You have a penthouse. A literal palace in the sky p>