Chapter 97

• The soft jingle of metal filled the silence as Lucas pulled a black velvet pouch from the console, the weight of the coins inside shifting audibly with each movement. Without a word, he gave the bag a light toss, and it landed in my lap with a solid thump. Then, as if nothing had happened, Lucas turned his attention forward again, his broad shoulders rigid, his profile carved from stone.
• Before I could fully process the gesture, Ruth’s hand darted out and snatched the pouch from my lap. But the moment her fingers brushed the fabric, a deep, menacing growl reverberated through the car. It came from Lucas. The sound was low, warning, primal. Ruth recoiled instantly, eyes wide with alarm, and dropped the pouch back where it had landed as if it had burned her.
• We drove in silence after that, tension lingering in the air like thick smoke. Eventually, the vehicle eased to a halt in front of a massive stone building with towering glass doors. Without waiting for assistance, Lucas pushed his door open and stepped out. His long legs moved quickly, striding with quiet authority to my side of the car. The door was yanked open roughly, and before I could even look up, Lucas was leaning in.