36. LACEY
Chapter thirty-six
I was curled up on the sofa with one of the books Henri had bought me when I heard the elevator engage—a mechanical thrum, a soft chime, and then that familiar whoosh as the doors slid open.
It was late for Henri to be stopping by.
Could it be Nik?
I sat up straighter to see.
But no.
Instead, a goddess stepped into the penthouse.
Tall, graceful, and dressed in a fitted couture suit that looked like it belonged on a Paris runway, the blonde woman moved with such effortless elegance that, sitting here under a blanket in my ratty T-shirt and shorts, I felt like I’d been dragged out of a Goodwill bin.
The heels of her thigh-high black boots clicked across the polished floors, adding an exclamation mark to the statement she made.
Behind her came a mountain of a man with buzzed hair, wide shoulders, and his arms full of shopping bags—the kind of bags with tiny ropes for handles and heavy paper that screamed money .
I stood and met them as they entered the living room.
“Hello, Lacey,” the woman said warmly, her smile lighting up the room. “I’m Aria. Nik asked me to come by with a few things and assist you in getting ready for this evening’s date. This is Slade. We work for Nik at Club Xyst.”
A date?
I blinked. “Oh,” I managed, smoothing down my ancient tee, which had a questionable ketchup stain on it from lunch. “Uh, hi. Come in—please.”
As I stepped aside, I suddenly became aware of the fact that I hadn’t brushed my hair since this morning and probably looked like I’d just rolled out of a three-day nap.
Aria glided in with a calm sort of confidence, as if she’d been here before. Slade nodded politely.
Club Xyst. The name snagged on something in my brain.
I’d heard of it, of course—who hadn’t? It was the kind of place that required membership and money even to sniff the VIP sections, and it supposedly offered more than just bottle service and ambiance. The fact that they worked for Nik made something flutter in my chest.
Also, how did they know my real name?
Nik must’ve told them.
But Aria had said she’d heard a lot about me … What exactly had he said?
I followed them down the hallway, trailing behind the swoosh of Aria’s coat and picking up on a clinking noise from the bags that sounded like hangers. She was clearly familiar with the place, acting as though it were perfectly normal to walk into Nik’s penthouse and head to his guest room.
How often had she been here?
Slade reached the suite first, and as he stepped inside, he muttered with a chuckle, “Well, damn, that vase put up a fight, huh? You planning a jailbreak or just making a statement?”
I winced, Nik must have told them about what happened to the window. “Yeah…the vase was a big sucker. Almost dislocated my shoulder trying to lift it.”
He snorted. “Remind me not to piss you off while standing near glass.”
Aria laughed behind me. “Definitely one way to keep our boss on his toes.”
I smiled, trying to hide my blush. “Henri had someone come look at it. Apparently, it’s some kind of custom glass. Fancy and impossible to install.”
Aria and Slade exchanged an amused glance.
“Oops,” I added playfully.
We all chuckled. It eased the edge off my embarrassment.
Aria turned toward Slade, already shifting gears. “Out. We don’t have much time.”
He raised both hands in surrender and backed out like the seasoned soldier he clearly was. “Message received.”
Once the door closed behind him, Aria turned toward the bed and began opening bags.
Within moments, she had several dresses hanging in the closet, with a few pairs of stunning heels lined up beneath them.
My jaw actually dropped when she pulled out a white wool coat with fur cuffs and a matching collar and draped it across the edge of the bed.
It was so glamorous, it looked like it could belong to a movie star.
I stared at the growing collection, trying to wrap my brain around it. “It’s all beautiful,” I said softly. “But…I don’t understand. Why are you here? What is all this?”
Aria gave me one of those knowing looks. She seemed to know exactly what was about to happen. “Let’s just say you can’t go wrong with Chanel,” she said, pulling out another outfit and nodding approvingly.
I blinked at her. “Chanel?”
“Go shower, Lacey,” she said, gently steering me toward the bathroom. “Clean up. You’ve got a date.”
That word again.
Date .
It echoed inside me. My stomach flipped, and I suddenly could barely feel my feet.
A date.
With Nik.
Oh, God. I needed to hurry.
I bolted to the bathroom, shedding my ratty shirt mid-sprint. The shower hissed to life, and I scrubbed like a woman possessed—shaving, exfoliating, conditioning twice, and even using the fancy rose-scented body oil Aria slipped onto the counter like a secret weapon.
Somewhere between wrapping towels around my hair and body and brushing my teeth, I shouted to her, “What should I do with my hair?”
Entering the bathroom seconds later, she instructed without hesitation, “Wear it down. Nik loves your long blonde locks.”
I froze mid-stroke with my toothbrush. “He said that?”
She smiled and shrugged, then casually placed a matching blush-colored lace bra and panty set on the vanity. “He did.”
Wow.
Nik had actually said that—to this stunning, confident woman who clearly knew him well. I stared at myself in the mirror as I dried and curled my hair in soft waves. I wondered what else he had told her. What did she know about me?
But I didn’t have time to spiral. I turned my focus to applying my makeup.
When I stepped back into the bedroom wearing only the lacy bra and panties, Aria paused halfway through unzipping the dress she’d picked out for me.
“Ooo, that set on you is the sexiest thing I’ve seen in ages. I’m definitely getting myself one.”
Aria held the dress up for me to see. I barely suppressed a gasp.
The fabric looked as if it had been woven from moonlight.
Ivory silk, bias-cut, impossibly luminous in its shimmer.
When I slipped it on with Aria’s help, it flowed over my body like liquid—sophisticated, sensual, and unlike anything I’d ever worn.
The low neckline hinted at my cleavage without begging for attention. The long lace sleeves brushed past my wrists, and the sheer lace panels along the sides revealed just enough skin to make my breath catch. Tiny silk buttons trailed down the back like something out of a vintage Parisian dream.
The heels were just as breathtaking—ivory satin, slim ankle strap fastened with a pearl button. And the little mother-of-pearl purse? Though it was a tiny little thing that could hold no more than a lipstick and phone—if I was lucky—it was nicer than anything I’d ever owned.
I stood in front of the mirror, stunned.
“I look…”
“Beautiful,” Aria finished for me, fastening the final button. “Nik’s going to be pleased.”
A warm, breathless laugh bubbled out of me. “This outfit probably costs more than my first car.”
“Probably,” she said with a wink. “But worth it.”
As she adjusted the sleeves and smoothed the skirt, I said hesitantly, “Can I ask you something?”
Her eyes flicked up to mine in the mirror. “Of course.”
“What’s Nik really like?”
She paused, resting her hands lightly on my shoulders. “Private. Intense. Brilliant. I’ve worked with the owners of Club Xyst for years—Nik took over Ana’s share recently after her arranged marriage went sideways.”
“Arranged marriage?” I turned toward her, wide-eyed.
She nodded, folding a lace shawl that hadn’t made the cut and setting it to the side. “It’s not uncommon in our world. Power, alliances, control—it’s business before love, especially for women.”
I frowned. “That’s awful.”
“It can be,” she said carefully. “But Ana’s lucky. She got out. And Nik…well, let’s just say he doesn’t let things slide when it comes to people he cares about.”
I swallowed. “Have you ever seen him with someone? Like…has he ever brought someone around? Dated anyone seriously?”
“Never,” she said gently. “You’re the first. And I’ve gotten to know him pretty well.”
My cheeks burned. “Oh.”
She hesitated, then added with a small smile, “The only woman I’ve ever seen him truly care about is his twin sister.”
Twin sister?
I couldn’t picture it. Nik—stoic, intimidating, tightly wound with control—had a twin? Someone who shared his blood and maybe even knew how to unravel the angst in him?
“Her name is Anastasia,” Aria continued, clearly reading the incredulity in my expression. “She’s expecting a baby soon.”
She smiled and stepped back. “The only room he obsessed over when decorating this place was Ana’s suite. Have you seen it?”
I nodded slowly. “Yeah… It’s perfect.”
A shot of guilt nagged at my consciousness for assuming the suite was for a woman he kept around as a plaything.
“He made sure she’d love it—said he wanted everything ready for when she finally visits. He’s dying to meet her baby when he’s born.”
My heart stuttered. Nik—excited about a baby ? The image didn’t compute. And yet…I could suddenly envision his big, calloused hands holding something tiny and delicate.
What would he be like as a father?
No! I couldn’t let myself go there. He was probably still planning to ship me off to the West Coast with a fake name and a one-way plane ticket.
Aria handed me the pearly clutch. “You ready?”
“I think so.”
We were laughing about whether I could actually walk in the heels when I looked up and froze.
Nik stood in the doorway, one shoulder braced against the frame, arms crossed over a dark charcoal suit that fit him like sin. No tie. Open collar. Smirk in full effect.
He dragged his gaze over me like a flamethrower. “Damn,” he said softly. “Aria, remind me to give you a raise.”
She grinned. “You’re welcome.”
He looked at me, then held out his hand. “Come here, sunshine.”
Butterflies erupted in my stomach. I slid my hand into his, and electricity shot up my arm instantly. His hand was so strong as his fingers closed over mine—the same hand that had caressed my bare skin, wrapped around my wrists, gripped my waist…
My face flushed hot.
Aria giggled next to me.
Nik glanced briefly at her. “Thanks for helping.”
“I’ll tidy up and head out with Slade in a few minutes,” she said, already gathering up tissue paper. “Anything else?”
“No,” he said without looking away from me.
He guided me toward the elevator and was sliding his hand around my waist when Aria called out, “Wait!”
She rushed up with the coat—the stunning white wool one with fur cuffs. I’d forgotten all about it.
Nik took it from her and helped me into it. Gently, he brushed my hair out from under the collar, his fingers grazing the back of my neck—
A shiver ran through me.
And I was lost.
The elevator doors glided open with a soft whoosh, and Nik guided me inside with a light touch on the small of my back. Even that managed to short-circuit my brain.
As the elevator began its descent, I swayed slightly in my heels. His arm came around me instantly, steadying me with ease.
He pulled me closer, resting one hand low on my waist. The heat of him seared through the silk of my dress.
Nik leaned in, his breath brushing my ear. “You’re beautiful.”
“Anyone wearing a dress that costs as much as—” I started.
His fingers found my chin, and he tilted my face up toward his.
“It’s not the dress,” he said thoughtfully. “Not the hair. Not the makeup. It’s the innocence you’re still trying to hide. The kind that makes men want to ruin you. The kind that can’t be bought or painted on. It’s pure. And it’s all yours, little lamb.”
My throat tightened.
How could a man so brutal…make me melt like this?
I glanced away, trying to breathe past the fluttering in my chest. And as usual, I did what I always did when I didn’t know how to respond.
I deflected.
“Oh, well…thank you. Honestly? I’m surprised you’re not furious with me. I figured I’d never hear from you again—after I torched your credit card and made poor Henri run errands all over New York.”
A quiet laugh rumbled in his chest. “What you spent wasn’t even enough for me to notice.”
I stared at him in disbelief.
“I was glad you took care of yourself.” He paused, then added with a smirk, “And Henri said he didn’t mind taking care of you.
In fact, he enjoyed getting to know you.
Didn’t always enjoy retrieving the ridiculous things you ordered, but he got what you were doing.
Thought it was funny that you were trying to be a pain in my ass.
Said you’re probably the only one who could get away with that kind of shit. ”
I let out a breathy, slightly embarrassed laugh and dropped my head. “But my grand plan to annoy you into texting me back totally failed.”
Nik lifted my chin again.
My heart stuttered, and for a moment I was sure he was going to kiss me—but instead, he pressed his lips to my forehead.
Then he pulled away, sliding his arm snugly around my waist.
The elevator ride seemed to take forever.
My palms were damp, and my heart galloped in my chest. I had no idea what he was planning—only that it felt too elaborate to be a goodbye. Surely he wouldn’t dress me in Chanel just to ship me off to the West Coast with a new name and a clean slate.
Still, uncertainty clawed at my mind.
God, this man. The way he affected me… My entire nervous system had rewired itself to react to his nearness.
I cleared my throat, hoping I could manage a tone that didn’t sound unhinged. “So…where are we going?”
Nik cocked his head, amusement flickering in his pale eyes. “Have patience,” he murmured.
The elevator hummed quietly around us.