Bait for a Gentleman novel Chapter 85

Audrina stood alone outside Vantachi.

It was a little past eleven, the absolute peak hour for the district.

The bars and restaurants behind her were pulsing with neon lights, the heavy bass from the clubs vibrating faintly through the soundproof curtains.

Groups of young people brushed past her, laughing and shoving each other playfully.

The early spring night wind slipped down her collar, biting and bone-chilling.

She pulled her coat tighter, standing directly in the wind's path, watching car after car drive past.

Upstairs in the private room, the heating had been blasting so high she hadn't realized how cold it was. Now, standing on the curb, her fingers were already going numb.

She had just pulled out her phone to order a car when Layne jogged over, stopping right in front of her.

"Ms. Monroe, Mr. Hawthorne asked me to drive you home."

Audrina didn't look up, swiping open her rideshare app. "No need. I'll catch a ride myself."

Layne didn't move, his tone turning a bit desperate. "It's Mr. Hawthorne's strict orders. Plus, it's near impossible to hail a cab around here on a Friday night. You'll be stuck waiting in a queue for a long time."

Audrina swiped her screen a few times.

He was right. There were dozens of people ahead of her in the queue, and the estimated wait time was easily pushing forty minutes.

She suddenly remembered the car that had been trailing them ever since they left the restaurant—a persistent tail that refused to shake off.

She pocketed her phone without another word.

Looking visibly relieved, Layne quickly stepped forward and pulled the rear door open for her.

Audrina ducked inside. The moment the door clicked shut, it locked out the biting wind and all the chaotic emotions she had left on the pavement.

The car merged smoothly into the traffic. Layne glanced at the rearview mirror.

Audrina was turned sideways, staring out the window.

The streetlights washed over her face in a rhythmic flash of light and shadow, leaving her expression completely unreadable.

The car was dead silent. Layne gripped the steering wheel, debating with himself the whole drive.

He had worked for Sebastian for years, and this was the first time he had ever seen his boss act like this over a woman. They seemed like they were together, yet didn't act like a normal couple.

To say Sebastian didn't care was a lie; when it came to Audrina, Sebastian cared deeply.

A shattered glass lay on the floor, shards glittering everywhere.

Sebastian was still sitting on the sofa, having likely finished off whatever liquor was left. Seeing Layne walk in, he lit a cigarette.

"Mr. Hawthorne, Ms. Monroe has been dropped off safely," Layne reported.

"Mhm," the man murmured, lifting his gaze. "Did you trace the car that was tailing her?"

Sebastian had noticed the tail on their way to Vantachi.

"Yes, sir," Layne replied. "The license plate is registered to the Sutton Group. It's highly likely one of Mr. Sutton's men."

"Understood."

A few seconds of silence ticked by. Layne was just about to excuse himself when Sebastian spoke up.

"Did she... say anything in the car?"

"Ms. Monroe said..." Layne hesitated, "that she was just playing around with you."

His voice grew quieter with every word.