CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
LILA
“You’ve got to be kidding me, Aster.” My jaw drops as I stare at the sleek black limousine pulling into her driveway.
We are standing at the front door of her massive mansion, and I cannot help but feel like I don’t belong.
She’s begged me to move in more times than I can count, and there’s more than enough space.
But this kind of life? It doesn’t feel like mine. Still, with everything happening with Volkov, I have been thinking about it. But moving in would only make her a target, too, so I don’t know where to run.
“You know I like to go all out,” she says with a shrug. “But this was actually Beck’s idea.”
Right on cue, he pops his head out of the sunroof and yells, “Wow. I’ve got two smoking hot dates!”
“Babe, don’t tempt us,” Aster teases, biting her lip as she eyes me up and down. “You know we’ve… experimented with each other. I was her first kiss!”
“Oh my God,” I groan, whipping my head toward her. “Aster, we said we’d never talk about that again!”
Beck’s eyes widen. “Holy shit. The both of you? Together? Sheesh. I’d die a happy man.” He slips out of the limo in a tailored black suit, holding the door open for us like some cocky prince charming.
“I’m teasing, Lila… or maybe I’m not.” Aster winks at me and slides gracefully into the leather interior.
“Oh, please let that happen!” Beck’s voice calls from inside, dripping with mischief. “Just once. Let me have a threesome with you two. ”
I roll my eyes as Aster sticks her hand out to me dramatically. I take it. “I’m done talking about this.”
She kisses my hand in a playful gesture. “Are you sure, pookie? Because you weren’t saying that when I showed you how to—”
“Aster!” I cut her off, heat rushing to my face from embarrassment.
“Okay, okay! I’m done.” Then she turns to Beck and kisses him like no one else is in the car, and the two of them start being disgustingly adorable.
Beck looks unreal. Which, I guess, makes sense.
He is the CEO, after all. His black tux and crisp white shirt are sleek and classic, but I can tell they are custom.
The fabric alone probably costs more than my rent.
The bow tie sits perfectly at his throat without a wrinkle or flaw.
It’s effortless perfection. His skin is sun-kissed, like he has spent the week surfing in Hawaii—even though this is New York City.
Maybe he has a boat. Maybe he sails. Or maybe he steps into a tanning bed between meetings.
His dark blonde hair is streaked with golden highlights that somehow make his ocean-blue eyes even sharper.
And when he flashes that too-white, too-perfect smile at Aster, the fantasy clicks into place.
He looks like he belongs on a yacht. Not in my world.
And neither does Aster. She is breathtaking, like one of those women in the high-end fragrance commercials.
The kind who rides bareback on a horse down a sunlit beach.
Yeah. That is Aster. Her jet-black hair falls in loose, glossy curls, and her smoky eye makeup makes her golden-brown eyes glow like embers.
And that dress, it’s a showstopper. A floor-length halter gown made of liquid gold, laced with diamonds.
It’s soft and feminine, but dangerously powerful.
It dares you to touch her. But only a fool would try .
They fit into the same world. They seem to have been born for it. And me?
I have never really belonged anywhere. But they let me in. They want me here. And for now, that is enough.
“Want to join?” Beck asks, giving me a wink.
I blink, realizing I have been staring while he and Aster make out. I was utterly lost in thought. I smile and let out a soft laugh. “Not this time. Actually… I have a question.”
They both turn to look at me. “This is going to sound crazy, but… by chance, have you been visiting my mom?”
Beck tilts his head, his brow creasing in confusion. “Your mom? Where is she?”
Aster answers for me. “She’s in the hospital. She got accepted into a cancer trial.”
I stare at Beck, confused. “She’s been there since you paid for her treatment…” I freeze, watching him, still seeing that same confused expression. “Umm. Didn’t you?”
He sits up straighter, his eyes narrowing slightly as he processes what I just said. “Lila, if I had known, I would have paid for it. But I didn’t. I didn’t even know your mom was sick.”
I want to argue. I want to accuse him. But all I can do is stare, because his eyes, those ocean-blue eyes, hold nothing but honesty. I turn to Aster. "Was it you? Or your family?"
She shakes her head. "Lila, you know I would have told you. Especially something like that. I know how you feel about charity."
My heart sinks. "Then who has been visiting her? Who paid for everything?"
A heavy silence fills the car.
"Let’s figure it out tomorrow," Aster says gently. "Tonight, let’s just have fun. Let loose, Lila! She is being taken care of, and that is what matters most. "
"Yes," Beck agrees, placing a hand over mine. His touch is warm and grounding. "I will get my people on it first thing in the morning. I promise."
I nod slowly, watching the sincerity curve into his faint smile. "Okay then," I say, holding out my hand. "Give me the aux cord so I can get this party started."
"Absolutely! That’s my girl." Aster laughs, pouring us all shots like she is working as a bartender in the back of a limo. "To whatever the hell happens tonight."
We clink our glasses and throw them back. The liquid fire burns down my throat, and it feels good. So unbelievably good. Like for the first time all day, my nerves finally shut up.
“Please turn on our normal jams,” Aster grins. “Beck won’t judge us. And if he does, I’ll punish him later.”
She slides her hand slowly up his inner thigh, and I see it. A switch flips in him. He smirks. “Oh, I’m definitely going to judge you.”
Honestly? It’s hot. Like… really hot. And if they let me watch? I’d totally say yes.
Is that weird? Probably.
Am I going to ask? Absolutely not.
Aster opens the sunroof, leans back with her arms spread, and flicks on the limo’s colorful interior lights. “Think About Me,” by Jxdn floods the space, the bass pulsing through the leather seats.
And just like that, the night begins. “Hell yeah, this song’s killer,” Beck says, clearly surprised by our music choice. The lyrics hit a little too close to home.
I want to know where Kage is. I want to know if he is thinking about me the way I am thinking about him. How do I ask about him without sounding desperate ?
I yell over the music, trying to sound casual. “So… I haven’t seen your boyfriend. Is he not going to be up your butt tonight?”
I’m talking to Beck, but really… I’m fishing. “Nah,” he says with a shrug. “Kage doesn’t come to stuff like this. He’s in Paris this weekend.”
Of course he is. Rich bastard. And he’s probably sleeping with every French woman he can find or having threesomes. Or orgies.
Jealousy churns in my stomach, sending bile up my throat. I don’t want him touching anyone but me. Yet I have seen him with four different women, and it doesn’t get any easier.
I crank the music louder and knock back another shot.
And who knows, if Aster and Beck ask me to join them again… I just might say yes. If Kage wants to play around, maybe I should, too.
Aster and I scream every word like it’s our anthem, like it’ll rip him out of my head. But it doesn’t. Kage is still there. In every lyric. Every thought. Every ache. No matter how loud I scream the words, he’s louder.
I throw my head back, eyes closed, trying to forget, trying to feel anything else. But the truth is, even with the lights, the liquor, and the limo, I’d still choose him. Even if he never chooses me.