Fate's Unwritten Path

Chapter Fourteen

Sasha's POV:

Two weeks had passed since that night in the alleyway, and while the bruises had faded and the physical pain had subsided, the memories still clung to me like shadows I couldn't shake. But I was determined to move forward, to reclaim the parts of myself that had been lost in the chaos of the past month.

Lucas had insisted on appointing one of his men as my bodyguard, a silent shadow who trailed behind me wherever I went. I hadn't argued. After what had happened, I knew better than to take any chances, especially in this city.

New York could be cruel, but it was still my home. I wouldn't let fear dictate my life. So, I'd thrown myself back into work, slowly easing into the routine that had once defined my days. The cases were lighter now, fewer in number, giving me the space to breathe. I didn't mind the quiet. It was a welcome change after the whirlwind of stress I'd endured.

Today was no different. I sat at my desk, flipping through the last of the files on my docket, the afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows of my office. It felt almost peaceful, the hum of the city below a distant murmur.

But then the door opened, and that sense of peace vanished as soon as Lucas walked in.

"Hey," I greeted, looking up from my papers. Lucas rarely visited me here unless it was for something important, and the fact that he was standing in my office doorway now made me instantly wary.

"Hey yourself," he replied, his voice low and smooth, the kind that could make you feel both at ease and on edge all at once. He closed the door behind him, stepping further into the room with a deliberate calmness that set my nerves alight. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," I said, setting the file down and leaning back in my chair. "Better. It's been a quiet week, not much going on."

"I noticed," he said, a hint of amusement in his tone. He moved closer, resting one hand on the edge of my desk, his gaze locked on mine. "That's actually why I'm here."

I raised an eyebrow, curious now. "Why's that?"

"Thought it might be nice to get dinner tonight. Just the two of us."

His words took me by surprise. We didn't usually interact outside of work unless it was something critical. And Lucas asking me to dinner? That was...new.

I hesitated, searching his face for any sign of what this was really about, but his expression gave nothing away. "Dinner?" I repeated as if testing the word.

He nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. "Yeah. I figured we could talk, maybe about something other than work for once."

It was odd, and yet...there was something about the way he said it that made me want to agree. Maybe it was the curiosity, or maybe it was the fact that I couldn't remember the last time I'd actually gone out for a meal that didn't involve a client or a case.

"Sure," I said after a moment, a small smile playing on my lips. "Why not? I could use a break from all this." I gestured vaguely at the stack of paperwork in front of me.

Lucas returned the smile, though he was more reserved, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "Great. I'll pick you up at eight."

"Eight it is," I confirmed, trying to ignore the sudden flutter in my chest. "I'll see you then."

With that, he gave a curt nod, turning to leave. But before he reached the door, he paused, glancing back at me. "You'll be safe until then. Remember, my guy's got your back."

I nodded, the reality of my new reality—bodyguard included—sinking in. "I know. Thanks, Lucas."

He didn't respond; he just gave me one last look before disappearing into the hallway, the door clicking shut behind him.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, staring at the now-closed door. Dinner with Lucas. That was something I never thought would happen. But there was no sense in overthinking it. I had a few hours to kill before I needed to get ready, and I wasn't about to spend them second-guessing myself.

*             *             *

When I got home, Scooby greeted me with his usual enthusiasm, his tail wagging furiously as I bent down to give him a quick pat. "Hey, boy," I said, scratching behind his ears. "Guess what? I have plans tonight."

He tilted his head as if he could actually understand what I was saying, and I couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah, I know. Shocking, right?"

I straightened up, heading to my bedroom to pick out something to wear. The evening air had been getting chillier, a reminder that autumn was just around the corner. After some deliberation, I settled on a tight-fitting black dress that hugged my curves in all the right places. It was elegant, simple, and not too flashy—perfect for whatever this dinner was supposed to be.

I pulled on a black sweater over the top part of the dress, both for warmth and to tone down the outfit a bit. The dress left little to the imagination, especially around my hourglass waist, and I wasn't exactly aiming to draw too much attention tonight.

Afterward, I styled my hair down, letting the soft curls frame my face. A bit of light makeup, just enough to enhance my features, and a swipe of pink lipstick completed the look. I gave myself a final once-over in the mirror, feeling a bit more like my old self again.

"Not bad, Sasha," I murmured to my reflection before heading back into the living room.

Scooby was sitting by the door, watching me expectantly. "Sorry, buddy, you're staying here tonight," I told him, grabbing my purse and keys. "I'll be back later, okay?"

He whined softly, but I gave him one last reassuring pat before stepping out of the apartment. As I locked the door behind me, I couldn't help but feel a strange mix of anticipation and nervousness.

Dinner with Lucas. This was going to be...interesting, to say the least.

With that thought in mind, I made my way down the hallway, the click of my heels echoing against the walls. Whatever tonight held, I was ready for it. Or at least, I hoped I was.