Chapter 398: At Itary

Lucas heard her voice before he fully turned.

"Enjoying the music?"

He smiled.

"I was. Until you showed up and made the seat across from me look better."

Bennett sat down without waiting, one leg crossing over the other. Up close she looked different from the last time. Sharper. Cleaner.

He checked.

[Beauty: 9.6]

[Previous Record: 9.4]

[100x Rebate Triggered]

’She went up.’

Bennett caught him looking and tilted her head.

"What? I have something on my face?"

"No," Lucas said. "I’m just confirming the room got more dangerous."

She laughed under her breath and reached for the small menu card on the table, more out of habit than interest.

"Why are you here? You’re a top member. You don’t usually sit out on the floor like this."

"I came to see you. Figured if I stayed out there long enough, you’d get curious."

"That’s confident."

"Or patient," Lucas said. "Depends how you look at it."

She stood, already deciding the main floor was done for them.

"Come on."

He followed her through the noise into a side corridor. The private room was quieter the second the door shut. Soft light. Thick walls. The bass outside dropped to a distant pulse. Bennett waved him toward the couch, locked the door with a soft click, and sat across from him.

"Better. Now we can talk properly."

Lucas leaned back.

"Much better. I can finally hear myself think."

She watched him for a moment, then smiled.

"Hope you’re still enjoying that Bugatti."

He laughed.

"The Bugatti is damaged."

Bennett blinked.

"What?"

"I didn’t even bother going back for it. By the time everything settled, there was nothing left worth chasing."

She stared at him.

"La Voiture Noire. You’re telling me that car is gone and you’re sitting here smiling like you lost a pair of sunglasses."

"What do you want me to do?" Lucas asked. "Cry over metal? It was a good car. It’s gone. I need another one. That’s the whole story."

Bennett leaned forward.

"Do you understand what you just said? People wait years and never touch that car. Insurance. Recovery. Claims. Most men would still be on the phone with three different offices right now."

"I know. Still not interested in dragging it out. I just need another cool car. Something that feels right when I sit in it."

"No attachment at all?"

"Attachment to a wrecked car is just expensive nostalgia," Lucas said. "I’d rather spend the energy on the next one."

She studied him, quieter now, turning that over.

"When I went to Itary, I saw a few options. Serious ones."

"Oh yeah?" His interest showed right away. "Which ones caught your eye?"

"Lamborghini Veneno. That would be an upgrade."

Lucas thought about it, then shook his head with a small grin.

"No. Not that one."

"No?"

"I don’t like that brand like that. Nothing against it. It just never pulled me. If I’m replacing the last one, I want something that actually makes me turn my head."

"Most people would take the Veneno and post it before the engine cooled."

"I’m not most people."

For a second Bennett had nothing ready.

Lucas reached for his phone.

"Tell you what. Let me call someone real quick. She knows this world better than most. She’ll tell me if I’m being difficult."

"You already sound difficult."

"That’s why I’m calling," he said, amused.

While the line rang, Bennett opened two bottles on the side counter and poured for him first. She slid the glass closer with two fingers and kept her own in hand, watching him over the rim.

"You’re very calm for a man shopping after a loss like that."

"I’m calm because I already decided I’m not married to the wreck," Lucas said, taking the glass. "I’d rather talk about the next one with good company."

Richelle picked up.

"I’m already with the person who’ll help me get the car," Lucas said. "Putting you on speaker."

He set the phone on the table between them.

Greetings went around. Short. Polite.

Then Richelle got to it.

"Did you get access to the Bugatti Divo route?"

Bennett’s brows lifted.

"Yes. I have connection on that side."

"Good. Lucas, do you want something more peak?"

He glanced at Bennett, then back at the phone.

"I’m listening."

"There’s the Bugatti Chiron Profilée."

Bennett went still.

Lucas let out a low breath.

"That escalated fast."

"Only three were built," Richelle said. "It’s not a normal request."

"I gathered," Lucas replied. "Still listening."

Bennett looked at the phone, then at Lucas.

"I’m not sure," she said. "But I’ll try."

Lucas smiled over his glass.

"I like that answer better than a fast no."

The call ran longer than either of them planned.

Richelle talked routes and timing. Bennett answered with what she could actually reach. One channel was dead. Another needed a name she did not want to burn yet. Sometimes Richelle laughed at a dead end. Sometimes Bennett laughed when a so-called easy option turned into noise. Lucas stayed in the middle, asking questions and throwing comments whenever the two of them got too deep into names.

"So that one’s realistic?"

"That one sounds like a fairy tale."

"If both of you go quiet at the same time, I assume the price just became offensive."

Bennett shot him a look, but she was smiling.

"Can you be useful or only funny?"

"I’m multitasking," Lucas said.

She never once asked him the price. She only cared whether the car could be reached.

After a while Richelle left them with a few names and a warning that the Profilée was not something you forced. Lucas ended the call and put the phone away.

Bennett leaned back, turning her glass.

"I don’t know how long this will take. The Bugatti Chiron Profilée is very rare. Only three were made. Even with the right people, it may not move."

Lucas nodded.

"If you can’t find it, don’t stress yourself. Seriously. Show me other cars. I’m not trying to turn your week into a scavenger hunt."

"You’re giving me an exit."

"I’m giving you room," Lucas said. "There’s a difference."

Bennett did not take the easy way out.

"I’ll try," she said. "I will."

A small smile pulled at her mouth.

"Would you like to see other luxury cars as well? While I work that one?"

"Yes," Lucas said. "I’m not against options. Where?"

Bennett met his eyes.

"At Itary."

Lucas froze.