The CEO and the Country Wildflower chapter 80

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The CEO and the Country Wildflower


Chapter 80: Whispers in the Dark


The penthouse was quiet, bathed in the soft glow of city lights filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Emelly sat curled up on the couch, her fingers tracing absent patterns on the fabric while Lucas poured two glasses of wine. The events of the evening—Tony’s betrayal, Leo’s arrest, Linda’s escape—still hung heavy in the air, but for the first time in weeks, there was a fragile sense of peace. Lucas handed her a glass, his fingers brushing against hers. The familiar warmth spread through her, and she couldn’t help but smile when she noticed the tension in his shoulders ease—his migraines always vanished when they touched. "You’re staring," he murmured, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Just making sure you’re not secretly plotting another impossible task for me," she teased, though her voice lacked its usual bite. Lucas chuckled, sitting beside her. "After tonight, I think you’ve earned a break." Emelly took a sip of wine, the rich flavor grounding her. "Do you really think it’s over?" His expression darkened slightly. "Leo’s in custody, Tony’s cooperating, and Linda’s too smart to stick around now that her allies are gone. But…" He hesitated, his thumb tracing the rim of his glass. "I won’t lie. People like Leo always have backup plans." Emelly sighed, leaning into him. "So we stay cautious." Lucas wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer. "We stay together." The simplicity of his words made her heart skip. They had spent so much time arguing, challenging each other, that this quiet intimacy still felt new. She tilted her head to look at him, studying the sharp lines of his jaw, the way his dark eyes softened when they met hers. "You’re staring again," he said, his voice low. "Maybe I like what I see," she shot back, grinning when his eyebrows lifted in surprise. Before he could retort, his phone buzzed. David’s name flashed on the screen. Lucas frowned but answered. "What is it?" Emelly watched as his grip on the phone tightened, his posture stiffening. When he hung up, his expression was unreadable. "David found something in Linda’s abandoned office. Documents linking her to another shell company—one we didn’t know about." Emelly’s stomach dropped. "Another player?" Lucas stood, pacing. "Or a failsafe Leo left behind. Either way, we’re not out of the woods yet." She set her wine down, rising to face him. "Then we keep digging." He stopped, turning to her with something like admiration in his gaze. "You’re not even hesitating." She shrugged, though her pulse raced. "What’s the fun in running now? Besides, someone has to keep you from brooding yourself into an early grave." Lucas laughed, the sound rich and unexpected. "You’re impossible." "And yet, here you are." She stepped closer, tilting her chin up. "Stuck with me." His smile faded into something deeper, more intense. His hand cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing her skin. "Lucky me." The moment stretched, charged with something unspoken. Emelly’s breath hitched as he leaned in— Then his phone rang again. They both groaned. Lucas checked the caller ID and sighed. "Bruno." Emelly rolled her eyes. "Of course." He answered, putting it on speaker. Bruno’s voice, laced with amusement, filled the room. "Hope I’m not interrupting anything important." Lucas pinched the bridge of his nose. "What do you want?" "Just checking in. Serritary and I are in town tomorrow. Thought we’d finally meet this infamous Emelly you won’t shut up about." Emelly’s cheeks burned. Lucas shot her a look that was equal parts exasperation and affection. "Fine. Dinner. Now hang up before I change my mind." Bruno’s laughter echoed before the line went dead. Emelly crossed her arms. "So, I’m infamous now?" Lucas tugged her back into his arms. "You’re a menace." She grinned. "Your menace." His lips brushed her forehead. "Mine." The moment was sweet, but the shadow of uncertainty lingered. The documents David found meant danger wasn’t truly over. And as Emelly rested her head against Lucas’s chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something—or someone—was still watching.