Chapter 9: The Lion’s Den

The autumn wind hit Lucas as he stepped out of the luxury boutique and onto Fifth Avenue.

He was wearing a bespoke suit that cost more than his college tuition and carrying his cheap discarded clothes in a branded shopping bag. His mind was spinning. Moving in with Camilla Verman was not part of the original plan.

It was a fast track to a stress-induced heart attack.

He walked to a quiet corner near a coffee cart and pulled out his phone. He dialed his actual boss. Victoria answered on the first ring.

"Report," Victoria demanded. Her voice lacked any form of greeting.

"She bought the double bluff," Lucas said while checking over his shoulder to ensure nobody was listening. "She thinks I am stealing the real zoning files for her. But there is a massive complication."

"Explain."

"She wants me to play the role of her fake fiancé at the gala," Lucas explained. "And she ordered me to move into her penthouse tonight to sell the story to her board of directors."

Silence hung on the line for three agonizing seconds. Lucas expected her to pull the plug on the operation. He expected her to tell him to back out before things got out of hand.

"Excellent," Victoria finally said.

Lucas blinked. "Excellent? Ms. Sterling, I am going to be living in the enemy camp. If she finds out I am reporting back to you she will have me thrown off her balcony."

"Then you better make sure she does not find out," Victoria replied with cold amusement. "Having my spy sleeping in her penthouse gives us a massive advantage. You will have access to her personal laptop and her private phone. Memorize her passwords. Find out who her primary investors are."

"What if..." Lucas trailed off.

"I told you to do whatever you have to," Victoria stated. "If she wants to play house with you then let her play. Just remember who writes your paychecks. Do not disappoint me."

The call ended with a sharp click.

Lucas rode the subway back to his neighborhood. The tailored suit drew several lingering stares from the other passengers. He felt like a walking target in the rundown train car.

He reached his crumbling apartment building and climbed the three flights of stairs. He unlocked his door and threw his few decent shirts into a faded canvas duffel bag. His entire life fit into one piece of cheap luggage.

He walked back out into the hallway and nearly collided with Evelyn.

His landlady was carrying a plastic laundry basket. She stopped dead in her tracks. Her tired eyes widened as she took in the sight of him wearing a suit designed for a Wall Street executive.

"Lucas?" Evelyn asked. She sounded unsure if she was even speaking to the right tenant.

"Good afternoon Mrs. Higgins," Lucas said with a polite smile.

His Somatic Composure skill kept his posture straight and his voice smooth. Evelyn swallowed hard. A faint flush of color crept up her neck and settled on her cheeks. She gripped her laundry basket a little tighter.

"Did you rob a bank?" Evelyn asked while looking him up and down.

"I told you I got a promotion," Lucas said as he adjusted his cuffs. "I have to travel for a corporate assignment for the next few days. I just wanted to let you know I will not be around if the building needs repairs."

"The radiator is working," Evelyn murmured. Her gaze lingered on his chest for a fraction of a second too long. "Have a safe trip."

[Target Interest Increased.]

[Evelyn Higgins is actively reconsidering her perception of the Host.]

Lucas offered her a charming nod and headed down the stairs. The early game practice was definitely working but he did not have time to flirt with his landlady. He had a millionaire waiting for him.

He took a taxi to the towering glass structure where Camilla lived.

The building was a fortress of modern architecture situated right on the edge of the financial district. A doorman in a crisp uniform checked his name on a digital tablet and escorted him to a private elevator.

The doors closed and the cabin shot upward at a dizzying speed. It stopped on the top floor and opened directly into the penthouse.

Lucas stepped out and caught his breath.

The living room was the size of a basketball court. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the city skyline as the sun began to set.

Modern art hung on the white walls and a massive marble fireplace dominated the center of the room. It was a monument to excessive wealth.

"You are five minutes late."

Lucas turned toward the sound of the musical voice.

Camilla Verman was walking down a sweeping glass staircase. She had changed out of her crimson dress and was now wearing a sheer black silk robe that fell just above her knees. The fabric clung to her curves and left a dangerous amount of skin exposed.

She was holding a crystal glass of red wine.

"Traffic was bad," Lucas said while dropping his cheap duffel bag onto the polished hardwood floor.

Camilla looked at his luggage with mild disgust. "We will have to buy you proper bags tomorrow. But the suit looks fantastic on you. You look like you belong in my home."

She walked over and handed him a matching glass of wine. Her fingers brushed against his.

"Drink," Camilla commanded softly. "You look tense."

Lucas took a sip. The wine tasted like liquid velvet. "What are the rules for this arrangement?"

"The rules are simple," Camilla said as she circled him slowly. "When my board members or staff are present you will act like a man obsessed with me. You will hold my hand and pull out my chair and look at me like I am the center of your universe."

"And when we are alone?" Lucas asked.

Camilla stopped in front of him.

A wicked calculating smile crossed her red lips. "When we are alone you are my employee. You will fetch my files and answer my calls and do exactly as you are told. If you entertain me I will make you a wealthy man."

She turned and walked down a wide hallway lined with expensive portraits. She motioned for him to follow.

"Bring your terrible bag," Camilla called out over her shoulder. "I will show you where we are sleeping."

Lucas grabbed his duffel bag and followed her. He expected her to lead him to a massive guest wing. He assumed rich people had dozens of spare bedrooms for situations exactly like this.

She walked into a sprawling master bedroom. A massive king-sized bed covered in dark silk sheets sat in the center of the room. The space smelled strongly of dark cherry and vanilla.

Camilla sat on the edge of the mattress and crossed her long bare legs.

"Put your bag in the closet," Camilla instructed while taking a sip of her wine.

Lucas looked around the room. There was no couch and no secondary door leading to a guest suite. He looked back at the bed and then at his new boss.

"Where is the guest room?" Lucas asked carefully.

Camilla laughed. It was a dark and melodic sound that sent a chill down his spine.

"There is no guest room," Camilla stated. "My head of security runs daily sweeps of this penthouse. He checks the bed sheets and the bathroom usage. If he finds out we are sleeping in separate beds he will report it to my board of directors and the engagement narrative falls apart."

Lucas felt his heartbeat spike in his chest. "You want me to sleep in your bed?"

A glowing red interface suddenly shattered the air between them.

[High-Stakes Quest Generated: The Lion’s Den.]

[Objective: Survive the night in the target’s bed without breaking your professional cover or giving into intimidation.]

[Reward: 300 AP and Skill Evolution.]

[Failure Penalty: The target will label you a coward and discard you as a useless pawn. Immediate termination of the honey trap.]

Camilla patted the space on the mattress right next to her thigh. The silk robe shifted and revealed a teasing glimpse of her lace underwear.

"Take off the suit Lucas," Camilla whispered with a challenging gleam in her green eyes. "It is time for bed."