Ending the conversation. Zhao’s
gaze flicked to Ava, sharp and unreadable.
"
And the girl?
"
Lucas
grinned, leaning back like this was all some casual conversation.
"
Beauty, my new girlfriend.
"
Ava’s
eye twitched.
Zhao
didn’t react. "You expect me to believe that?"
Lucas
chuckled. "Not really, but it sounds better than ’business partner who I dragged into clean up mess and handled things I didn’t plan for.’"
Ava
folded her arms, exhaling sharply.
"Wow. How romantic."
Lucas’s
smirk widened. "Careful, Beauty. People might start thinking you actually like me."
Zhao
ignored their exchange, fingers drumming once against the desk. "Why is she here, Bai?"
Lucas’s
tone shifted—just slightly.
"Because next time, she might be contacting you on my behalf."
Ava
stiffened slightly.
Lucas
tilted his head. "Think of her as an extension of our deal."
Zhao’s
black eyes flicked back to her, assessing.
Ava
held his gaze, refusing to look away.
Because if Lucas Bai was
introducing a new face into his world—it meant she was officially part of the game.
Zhao was silent for a long moment.
Then—
he nodded.
"
Fine.
"
Ava exhaled slowly as she walked towards the exit.
The
moment they stepped out of Zhao’s office, the lawyer was already waiting.
Poised.
Polished. Like he had never really left.
Ava
didn’t like that.
"
Interesting move, Bai,
" he murmured, falling into step beside them. "Bringing in a new face."
Lucas
grinned, unbothered. "Figured it was time for an upgrade."
The lawyer
adjusted his glasses. "And yet, you didn’t renegotiate your contract."
Ava
stiffened.
Lucas’s
smirk didn’t fade. "Didn’t need to. The deal stands."
The lawyer
hummed, unconvinced. "For now."
Ava
exhaled sharply. "You followed us out for a reason. What do you want?"
The lawyer
finally turned his gaze toward her. Sharp. Calculating.
"An arrangement for the lady."
Lucas
chuckled. "That’s a fancy way of saying ’offer.’"
The lawyer
smiled. "I prefer precision."
Ava
folded her arms. "And what exactly are you offering?"
The lawyer
tilted his head slightly. "Information."
Lucas
raised a brow. "At what cost?"
The lawyer’s
gaze flicked back to Ava. "I’ll call it in later."
Ava’s
jaw tightened. "I don’t sign blind deals."
The lawyer
smiled again. "No, you don’t."
Then—
he handed her a thin, sealed envelope.
Lucas
tilted his head, intrigued. "Hand-delivered? How sentimental."
The lawyer
ignored him. "Read the first half. Then decide."
Ava
took the envelope slowly. "What’s inside?"
The lawyer
adjusted his glasses again, turning to leave. "A key."
Ava
felt her pulse spike.
Lucas
watched the lawyer disappear down the hall, golden eyes gleaming.
"Well, Beauty," he murmured,
"looks like we’ve got plans."
Ava
exhaled sharply. "You’re not seriously thinking of following through with this."
Lucas
grinned. "Of course I am."
Ava
folded her arms. "You don’t even know what’s in there."
Lucas
tilted his head. "And that’s what makes it fun."
Ava
resisted the urge to smack him.
Instead—
she turned toward the elevator. "Where are we going now?"
Lucas
stepped up beside her, pressing the button. "Level One."
Ava’s
pulse spiked. "You’re taking me topside?"
Lucas
leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "I told you, Beauty. You’re an extension of my deal now. Time for you to see the playing field and have a good time."
Ava
tensed as the elevator doors slid open.
Level One.
The heart of the bunker. The top of the food chain.
Lucas
stepped inside first, glancing at her. "Nervous?"
Ava
rolled her shoulders, stepping in beside him. "No."
Lucas
smirked. "Good."
The doors
slid shut.
Ava’s fingers
twitched at her sides.
The
elevator hummed as it climbed, smooth and silent.
Ava
watched the numbers rise, tension coiling in her gut.
Then—
a soft chime.
The doors
slid open.
And for the first time,
Ava saw Level One.
Her breath
hitched.
Because this wasn’t just an upgrade from Level Two.
This was
a different world entirely.
Wide, polished hallways.
Reinforced security checkpoints, manned by guards in pristine uniforms.
The air was
cleaner. Lighter.
And beyond the security barriers—
a sprawling luxury district.
Shops. Lounges. Private residences with reinforced glass windows.
Everything
was sleek, untouched—like the apocalypse had never happened here.
Ava
gritted her teeth.
Because while the rest of the bunker
fought for rations, struggled to survive—
These people lived in comfort. It waz like watching two different movies.
Lucas chuckled, stepping forward. "Welcome to the top, Beauty."
Ava
exhaled sharply, eyes scanning every inch. "And how exactly did you get kicked out of all this?"
Lucas
grinned, unbothered. "Bad luck. Bad blood. A very badly played hand."
His golden
eyes flickered, amusement laced with something colder.
"
And a very expensive mistake.
"
Ava
studied him carefully.
Because if Lucas Bai
had been meant to stay here—when whoever replaced him.
Had made sure he never came back.
Lucas
walked through Level One like he still belonged there.
Casual. Unbothered.
Like he wasn’t the man who’d been thrown out.
Ava
kept pace beside him, eyes sharp, scanning the streets lined with high-end shops, private residences, and well-dressed survivors who had never once fought for a meal.
A world away from the filth of Level Three.
Lucas
grinned, golden eyes glinting. "Like what you see, Beauty?"
Ava
folded her arms. "I see a bunch of people who wouldn’t last a day outside these walls."
Lucas
chuckled. "You’re not wrong but you’re not right either."
That was the real issue Ava knew shifters live on level one but this level one had no shifter walking.
The more important question was why did Lucas so calm.
Ava
glanced at him. "So how are we walking around without anyone throwing us out?"
Lucas
sighed dramatically. "Beauty, just because I don’t have my original rooms doesn’t mean I don’t have business here."
Ava
raised a brow. "You still have contacts?"
Lucas
grinned, sharp and knowing. "Plenty."
Ava
studied him carefully.
Because Lucas Bai wasn’t just a man who had been exiled from Level One.
Lucas
veered off toward a boutique—sleek, well-lit, the kind of place that didn’t even glance at Level Two residents.
Ava
paused. "Bai. What are we doing?"
Lucas
grinned over his shoulder. "Getting you something to wear."
Ava
frowned. "What’s wrong with my clothes?"
Lucas
tilted his head, golden eyes gleaming. "Nothing—if you want to stand out like a sore thumb."
Ava’s
jaw clenched. "I don’t need a dress, Bai."
Lucas
sighed dramatically, already browsing through the racks. "Beauty, this isn’t about need. It’s about not getting thrown out before we finish our business."
Ava
exhaled sharply. "And you just happen to have the credits for this?"
Lucas
flashed a military-issued token between his fingers, casual and smooth.
Ava
stared. "You’re using military base credits?"
Lucas
smirked. "Where do you think Level One gets their supplies? Zhao’s people run this place. You think they use scavenger trade like the rest of the bunker?"
Ava
exhaled through her nose. Of course.
Level One wasn’t just rich.
They were backed by the military itself.
Lucas
handed a selection to the store clerk, motioning toward Ava. "Something fitted, something expensive-looking. And make it fast."
The clerk barely hesitated before whisking Ava into the next room.
Ava
gritted her teeth, muttering as she was shoved into a fitting room. "Unbelievable."
Lucas
chuckled from outside. "Hurry up, Beauty. We have places to be."
It was a shore to find the dress Lucas was picky. It eather was too long, too short, too simple, too boring. Every excuse was used until they settled on a tight black dress that was two sizes too small.
Ava stepped out of the boutique, the new dress fitting a little too well, feeling strange against her skin.
Lucas grinned the second he saw her. "Now, that’s more like it."
Ava rolled her eyes. "I feel ridiculous."
Lucas tilted his head, golden eyes sweeping over her. "You look expensive. That’s the point."
Ava huffed. "Great. Can we get this over with?"
Lucas laughed, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Patience, Beauty. First—drinks."
Ava arched a brow. "Drinks?"
Lucas motioned ahead. "We’re meeting some old friends."
Ava stiffened. "Friends?"
Lucas flashed a sharp grin. "People who owe me favors."
Ava sighed but followed.
They moved through the high-end streets of Level One, the quiet hum of privilege all around them.
Eventually, they stopped in front of a sleek, exclusive lounge—low lighting, soft music, and tables filled with the kind of people who had never fought for a meal in their lives.
Lucas walked in like he owned the place.
Ava kept her steps measured, scanning the room.
Then—a voice called out.
"Well, well. Look what the rats dragged back in."
Ava turned—just in time to see a man rise from a corner booth, dressed sharp, eyes gleaming with amusement.
Lucas grinned. "Anton."
Anton smirked. "Didn’t think I’d see you here again, Bai."
Lucas tilted his head. "And yet, here I am."
Anton’s gaze flicked to Ava, curiosity flickering. "And this?"
Lucas chuckled, placing a lazy hand on the small of her back. "My plus one."
Ava exhaled sharply but didn’t argue.
Because this wasn’t just dinner.
This was another game.