Chapter 893
Stella was paralyzed by the suddenness of it.
This man rarely ever cracked a smile, and his dark, brooding intensity right now was genuinely intimidating.
Scooped effortlessly into his arms, she could feel the hard muscle of his chest and the strong, rhythmic thumping of his heart, which immediately sent her own pulse racing.
Blushing deeply, she murmured weakly, “Put me down.”
“You just hiked up your skirt to show me. Am I not allowed to touch now?”
Caleb’s low, gravelly voice brushed right against her ear, making her shrink back.
Just then, the sharp click-clack of heels echoed down the hallway.
Stella panicked. “Someone’s coming!”
Only then did Caleb set her back on her feet. She didn’t even dare to look at him, sprinting away as fast as she could.
He watched her retreating figure until she safely disappeared into their dining room, then turned and strode into the restroom.
He splashed freezing water over his face, his striking, chiseled features set in hard lines.
He had tried to forget her, but his body remembered everything-and it only wanted her.
After taking a moment to collect himself, he finally headed back.
Inside the private room.
Lemira was getting a lecture from Orion.
He placed some food on her plate. “You seem awfully curious about Caleb.”
“Well, yeah. The whole mercenary thing just feels so mysterious.”
Thaddeus chimed in. “It’s also incredibly dangerous. If he hadn’t needed the money so badly back then, he never would have gone to those war zones.”
“Couldn’t he have gone into business with you guys?”
After all, Orion and Thaddeus had thrown this welcome-home dinner for him, which meant the three of them were tight.
She hadn’t ever seen these two introduce any of their other buddies to her before. The bodyguard was the first.
Thaddeus sighed helplessly. “Caleb has a lot of pride. He’s blunt and doesn’t do well with corporate politics. He prefers to rely on his own strength.”
Lemira understood now. It seemed the bodyguard’s character was solid.
Just then, Stella hurried back to the table, her face flushed scarlet.
Seeing her friend’s flustered state, Lemira guessed something intense had just gone down out in the hallway.
She decided to play dumb for now.
Stella was easily embarrassed; it was better to interrogate her in private later.
Shortly after, Caleb returned as well, though he looked completely unfazed.
As the meal wound down, Caleb suddenly spoke up. “I tracked down the woman you asked about.”
Orion looked up. “Where is she?”
“Working at a nightclub.”
Hearing that, Lemira immediately asked, “Evelina Sterling?”
Caleb nodded. “That’s her. She stopped showing up at her old b vanished for a few day
resurfaced at this new club verget
“Sounds like she ran out of cash and needed a quick, easy payday,” Lemira said, knowing Evelina’s habits perfectly.
Caleb looked at her. “What’s the play? Keep eyes on her, or grab her now?”
“Grab her,
Sinclairviously, before the we need to tip off the tent y gets to her first. Bet
they can come pick her u .net>
Orion frowned. “We can handle it ourselves.”
“There’s no need. Tell the Langston
It’s the meet at the club t è perfect chance for torrow.
see her true colors.
Lemira was genuinely looking forward to seeing the looks on their faces.
Stella, however, turned to Caleb. “You’re sure she won’t run?”
When his dark, predatory gaze shifted to her, she immediately looked away in a panic.
“She’s not going anywhere,” Caleb said, his tone deadpan but edged with absolute arrogance.
Thaddeus chuckled. “Don’t worry, Stella. With Caleb on it, it’s a lock.”
Stella kept her head down. “I was just asking.”
She could feel Caleb’s eyes on her again, making her spine stiffen, but he soon
looked away, allowing her to finally relax.
After dinner, the group left Bistrova.
Thaddeus waved. “You guys head out, I’m taking off.”
Lemira checked the time. Going back to campus wasn’t an option this late. She
looked up. “Are we going to my place?”
Stella looked conflicted. “Will we all fit?”