I didn't ask questions—at least, not right away. Lukas's tone left no room for them.
I grabbed the small black suitcase from the wardrobe and started shoving clothes inside, my fingers clumsy from the rush. I barely zipped it before Lukas came back in, phone in hand, speaking fast German to someone on the other end.
His suit jacket was gone, his black shirt clung to him from the rain. There was rain in his hair again, and a faint cut along his jaw like he'd been in a fight he wasn't going to admit to.
He ended the call and looked at me. "Ready?"
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"A safer place." He took the suitcase from me with one hand like it weighed nothing. "Somewhere they won't expect you to be."
We rode the elevator in tense silence. I caught our reflections in the mirrored walls—me in an oversized hoodie and leggings, him in crisp trousers and that untouchable confidence that somehow made him look more dangerous than anyone outside.
The car was waiting downstairs, black and sleek, engine already running. The driver didn't say a word when we got in.
Berlin blurred past again, the city lights streaking across the wet glass.
I finally spoke. "You still haven't told me who 'they' are."
Lukas's gaze stayed fixed on the window. "People who like to collect leverage. And right now… you're leverage."
"That makes me sound like a suitcase," I muttered.
His mouth twitched—almost a smile, but it faded too quickly. "You're not a suitcase. You're… a problem I can't ignore."
Something in my chest tightened at that.
We pulled up to a tall, old building with iron balconies and warm golden light spilling from the windows. It wasn't as flashy as his glass office tower, but it felt… hidden.
Inside, the air smelled like leather and coffee. Lukas led me up a narrow staircase to a top-floor apartment. It was smaller than the penthouse but still expensive-looking—dark wood floors, tall shelves of books, and a fireplace flickering in the corner.
"You'll stay here tonight," he said, setting my suitcase down. "There's only one bedroom, so I'll take the couch."
I blinked. "You're staying?"
His eyes met mine, and for a moment, the sharp businessman was gone—replaced by someone more human, more… watchful. "After tonight, I'm not leaving you alone."
I looked away before my face gave me away. "Fine. But I'm taking the bed."
His smirk was brief, but it was there. "I wouldn't have it any other way."