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I dip into the car, yanking the door shut as I slide inside. Risking a glance out my window, I manage to catch him silently mouthing his farewell.
“Night, demon.”
CHAPTER 30
NOW
DAPHNE
I arrive at Luc’s office building just before nine, the late hour allowing me to easily secure a parking spot right in front. Quickly exiting the car, I retrieve the two containers of Chinese food from the back seat and make my way toward the entrance. The elderly guard on duty meets me at the door, pushing it open to allow me inside.
“Ms. Burke,” Walter greets me, shutting the door behind me as I pass.
“Walter.” I give him my best stern-looking stare. “We’ve talked about this.”
His wrinkled expression slightly softens, giving way to a small smile. “Good evening, Daph.”
“There ya go, big guy.” I pat his shoulder. “How’s Carolann?”
“Hip’s been giving her a bit of trouble, but she’s got an appointment next week to have it looked at.”
“I’m gonna be out and about tomorrow. I’ll swing through here at some point and drop off a box of that chocolate she loves so much. But this—” I hand over one of the containers of food. “—is all yours.”
Walter glances down at the small black container, his mouth drawing into a tight thin line. For a moment I worry he doesn’t like what I’ve brought him, until he says, “The world needs more people like you, Daphne.”
I chuckle, shaking my head at his assessment. “I can provide you with the names of more than a few people who’d disagree with you.”
“They’re rotten to the core.” His fingers tighten around the container, the plastic crackling within the pressure of his grip. “The whole lot of them.”
“Eh, everyone’s entitled to their opinion. He still up there?”
Walter lifts his gaze, eyes shifting from his hands to my face. There it is again, that twinge of sadness. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Well, let me go feed him. Goodnight, Walter.”
“Goodnight, Miss Daphne. Thank you for the food.”
“Anytime, big guy.”
I step into the elevator, riding it up to the top floor where it opens to a deserted reception area. The lights are off, save for the expected glow emitted from the far corner office.
I’m quiet in my approach, taking a moment when I reach him to stare through the half-open door. He’s leaning on his desk, hair mussed, a small glass of whiskey beside him as his tired eyes stare at the screen of his computer. The sight hits me with a pang of guilt. I was always so focused on the “late nights” he was using as an excuse to fuck around, I never stopped to consider the times he actually was working late. These days he tends to leave work on time so we can have evenings together. It would appear that’s catching up with him.
“Knock. Knock.” I call out, rapping my knuckles against the door frame.
Luc startles, briefly glancing up at me in surprise before returning his focus to his screen. “What are you doing here?”
Well, damn. That wasn’t the greeting I was anticipating.
“I brought you food.” I step forward, placing the take-out container onto his desk before settling into one the upholstered chairs opposite him.
“Leftovers from Nicky C.” He tsks, his fingers clicking the keys a bit harder than necessary. “Seems to be the story of my life.”
Wow, he’s coming out swinging. Guess that answers my question of whether Caleb called him on the way home. I’m not mad. I’m the one who told him Lucian was working late and wasn’t able to make it. He probably called to check on him.
Regardless, I better strap in because I’m in it now.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve told you, but nothing happened, Lucian. It was Jonsie’s welcome-home dinner. Your best friend was there. He can attest to everything I’m saying.”
