Chapter 207

In the end, there was no point hiding it—better to just come clean. From the corner of her eye, Aurora could see the guilty look on Megan’s face and knew exactly what she was thinking.

“Pathetic,” she thought bitterly. “If I’d known she was a little spy, I never would’ve called her out tonight.”

The whole thing had been gnawing at her ever since. By the time all three of them were in the car, an awkward silence had settled between them. Aurora still hadn’t figured out what to say to Lucas.

Megan broke the tension first. “Lucas, can you drop me off at home?”

Lucas opened his mouth to respond, but Megan clasped her hands together, her face full of innocent desperation. “Please, I’m begging you, don’t tell my parents. I swear, I’ll do whatever you say from now on. Seriously, Lucas, I’ll be good.”

Her parents had warned her one more bar visit and they’d break her legs and cut her allowance. If they found out about tonight, she’d be dead broke. How terrifying.

Lucas gave Aurora a sideways glance, speaking with mock casualness. “And who told you to be a bad influence on your sister-in-law, huh? You want to sneak out, fine. But dragging her along with you? That’s worth a punishment.”

Megan’s eyes widened. She got the message instantly. Grabbing Aurora’s arm, she started shaking it wildly. “Please, Rora, my dearest Rora, you know how I am! I didn’t even want to go out tonight! I sacrificed myself for my best friend! My sweet cousin-in-law, just help me out, will you? Say something to him!”

Aurora sighed. She met Lucas’s gaze—his eyes were sharp, expectant. Then she looked at Megan’s red-rimmed puppy-dog eyes and finally relented.

“Alright,” she said with resignation. “Don’t tease her anymore. Don’t tell her parents. Just let this be the last time.”

Lucas raised a brow, clearly amused. “And who’s going to guarantee that?"

“She’s the only girl in the entire Quinn family. If something happened to her, guess who they’d come after?”

At that, Megan slumped deeper into her seat. And that was exactly why she never told her family when she went to bars. Her family had always been overly protective, sheltering her from everything they deemed too dangerous or chaotic. But Megan had always been drawn to the thrill of it. Maybe that’s why she got along so well with Aurora.

Hearing Lucas’s warning, Aurora pressed her lips together. “It’s fine. I’ll vouch for her,” she said softly. “She’s being sincere this time. Just let her off the hook.”

That did the trick—Lucas’s mood visibly softened. He turned to Megan. “Your cousin-in-law just saved you. But next time? I won’t hesitate to tell them.”

Megan threw herself into Aurora’s arms, hugging her tight. “I love you, Rora! You’re the best!” she squealed. “Don’t worry, I won’t let you down. Your word is sacred to me forever!”

Aurora wiped her face in mock disgust, visibly cringing. “Ugh, get off me.”

Lucas’ gaze dimmed slightly as he watched them. Suddenly, he regretted letting the little troublemaker off so easily. He should have just gone straight to her parents and saved him the future headache.

Before long, Lucas pulled up in front of the Quinn family estate. “Out. And don’t even think about going to places like that again. Or else…”

He didn’t finish the sentence, but the threat hung in the air, heavy and clear. Megan got the message loud and clear.