CHAPTER 14

IT WASN'T ABOUT THE STORM

The words hung between them like a live wire. “Stay”...... Because the night’s not over. She didn't want to read deep meaning into it.

Abigail stared at him, her pulse pounding in her ears. She hated that part of her wanted to ask what he meant. Hated that, deep down, she already knew although she wanted to know like hear him say what he has in mind.

“Luke,” she said carefully, her voice trembling even though she tried to keep it steady, “if this is some power play….”

“It’s not,” he cut in. His tone was calm, but his grip on her wrist told a different story tight, almost possessive like she meant something to him at that moment 

The storm howled outside, slamming against the tall glass windows with enough force to make the frames groan. People nearby started whispering again, nervous energy rippling through the room like static. Abigail barely noticed. All she saw was Luke, all she felt was the way his eyes pinned her to the spot.

“You should sit,” he said finally, releasing her wrist.

“And if I don’t?” she challenged, lifting her chin.

One corner of his mouth twitched almost a smirk, almost something darker. “Then you’ll keep standing here until the floor gives out. Your choice.”

Abigail rolled her eyes and turned away from him, heading toward the nearest empty table. She sat down hard, crossing her legs and arms in perfect defiance. Luke followed at his own pace, unhurried, like he owned every second of her time. And maybe he did.

The generator lights cast long shadows on his face as he stopped in front of her. For the first time since she met him, he looked… tired. Not weak, not broken. Just tired. The kind of tiredness you carry in your bones, not your muscles.

“What do you want from me, Luke?” she asked, unable to stop the question.

His eyes met hers, and for a fleeting second, she thought he might actually tell her the truth. But then, like a shutter slamming down, his expression hardened.

“Right now?” he said slowly. “I want you to stay out of trouble until this storm ends.”

“That’s not an answer,” she fired back.

“It’s the only one you’re getting.”

Abigail let out a bitter laugh, leaning back in her chair. “Unbelievable. You drag me into this circus, make me play dress-up for your precious reputation, and then act like I’m some ticking bomb you have to babysit.”it was so obvious that she was really upset 

His jaw tightened, but he didn’t rise to the bait. Instead, he lowered his voice, stepping closer until his shadow fell across her.

“You think this is about reputation?” he said softly, so only she could hear.

Her breath caught. “Isn’t it?”

His eyes burned into hers like a question she couldn’t answer. “No.”

Before she could respond, a sudden crash echoed from the far side of the room. A collective gasp swept through the guests as one of the massive chandeliers above the secondary hall came loose and smashed onto the floor, scattering glasses and metal everywhere. Screams followed, people scrambling back in panic. Everywhere was in chaos.

Luke was already moving. He gripped Abigail’s arm, pulling her up before she had time to think.

“Stay close to me,” he ordered.

“Luke, what the hell is happening?” she demanded, stumbling to keep up as he steered her toward a side corridor.

“Something’s off,” he muttered, scanning the crowd with razor-sharp focus. His posture had changed alert, predatory. Not just a man dealing with bad weather, but someone expecting an attack.

The realization hit her like ice water. This wasn’t just about a storm.

“Luke…” Abigail’s voice trembled. “Tell me the truth. Are we in danger?”

He didn’t answer. Which told her everything she needed to know. This was the first time she understood something about him without needing him to explain.

They pushed through a service door and into a narrow hallway that smelled faintly of bleach and polished wood. The sounds of chaos from the main hall dulled behind them, replaced by the distant hum of backup generators and the relentless drum of rain.

Luke finally stopped, turning to face her. His hands were on her shoulders now, firm but not harsh.

“Listen to me,” he said, his voice low, urgent. “You do exactly what I say from this point on. No questions, no arguments.”

Her heart thudded against her ribs she was scared at this point “Luke….”

“No questions,” he repeated, his grip tightening just enough to make his point.

Abigail swallowed hard, nodding even though every part of her wanted to scream.

“Good.” His hands dropped away, but his eyes stayed locked on hers for another heartbeat like he was memorizing her face. Then he turned and started walking again, fast.

Abigail followed, her heels clicking against the polished floor. They passed two more security men stationed by a door, each giving Luke a sharp nod before falling in behind them. The tension was so thick it felt like walking through fog.

When they reached another lounge a smaller, more private one Luke pushed the door open and guided her inside. He closed it behind them, the click of the lock echoing in the silence.

Abigail spun on him the second the door shut. “Enough games, Luke! What the hell is going on?”

He stared at her for a long moment, like he was deciding how much truth she could handle. Then he stepped closer, his voice dropping to that same dangerous whisper from before.

“Someone cut the generator lines. That chandelier didn’t fall by accident.”

Abigail’s stomach lurched. “You mean..”

“Yes,” he said flatly. “Someone wants chaos tonight. And they don’t care who gets hurt in the process.”

Her pulse spiked. “And what does that have to do with me?”

Luke’s eyes locked on hers, hard and unyielding. “Everything. Because whoever’s behind this… they know you’re with me.”

The words sank in slowly, chilling her blood. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, a sound outside the door made them both freeze. Footsteps. Heavy. Getting closer.

Luke reached into his jacket and pulled out something she didn’t expect a sleek black gun.

Abigail’s breath caught in her throat. “Luke…. I hate this…”she muttered.

“Quiet,” he hissed, moving toward the door with deadly calm.

The footsteps stopped just outside. Silence. Then….

The handle turned.