The music continued, but Raven barely heard it.
Eleanor was still standing in her arms.
Neither woman had moved.
For a moment, the entire ballroom seemed to disappear.
Then Eleanor smiled nervously.
"You're staring."
Raven's eyes remained on her.
"So are you."
Eleanor laughed softly.
"Maybe."
The music finally came to an end.
Raven slowly released her.
Eleanor immediately missed the warmth of her hand.
Before either of them could say anything, Charlotte appeared.
"There you are!"
Eleanor turned.
"Charlotte."
Charlotte looked between them.
Then at their hands.
Then back at Eleanor.
She smiled.
"Interesting."
Eleanor narrowed her eyes.
"Don't."
"I didn't say anything."
"You were about to."
Genevieve joined them.
"I think Charlotte has already said enough."
Charlotte laughed.
"I only wanted to check on my friend."
Genevieve looked at Raven.
"And perhaps meet the woman responsible for making Eleanor smile this much."
Eleanor's eyes widened.
"Genevieve!"
Raven actually laughed.
Charlotte's eyes widened.
"Oh my God."
"What?" Raven asked.
"You laughed."
Raven's expression immediately became serious again.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Charlotte grinned.
"I like you."
Eleanor shook her head.
"I apologize for my friends."
"Don't," Raven said. "They're entertaining."
Genevieve smiled.
"I think we'll get along."
Across the ballroom, Andrea continued searching.
The masked man had disappeared.
She checked the eastern corridor.
Nothing.
The balcony.
Nothing.
Then her phone vibrated.
A message from her contact.
He left through the private entrance.
Andrea frowned.
She immediately sent a response.
Follow him. Don't engage.
She returned to the ballroom.
Her eyes went directly to Raven.
Raven noticed.
Andrea subtly shook her head.
Nothing.
Raven understood.
She turned back toward Eleanor.
"Are you enjoying yourself?"
"More than I expected."
"Good."
Eleanor smiled.
"I think it's because you're here."
Raven went silent.
Eleanor realized what she'd said.
"I mean…"
"I know what you meant."
Eleanor looked away.
Her cheeks warmed.
Raven noticed.
For once, she didn't tease her.
Later that evening, Eleanor stepped outside onto the balcony.
The city stretched beneath her.
Chicago looked beautiful from this height.
She rested her hands against the railing.
A few seconds later, she heard footsteps.
She didn't need to turn around.
"Raven."
"Yes."
Eleanor smiled.
"You always know where I am."
"It's a habit."
"You say that a lot."
Raven stood beside her.
For a while, neither spoke.
Then Eleanor looked at her.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Yes."
"Why do you wear the mask?"
Raven became still.
Eleanor continued.
"You don't have to answer if you don't want to."
Raven looked out over the city.
"There are things about my past that I'm not ready to talk about."
Eleanor nodded.
"I understand."
"You don't have to."
"I know."
Eleanor smiled.
"But I won't force you."
Raven looked at her.
That answer surprised her.
Most people wanted something from Raven.
Money.
Power.
Information.
Eleanor simply respected her silence.
"Thank you," Raven said.
Eleanor smiled.
"You're welcome."
Inside the ballroom, Andrea approached Raven.
"We need to talk."
Raven looked at her.
"Now?"
"Yes."
Eleanor immediately stepped back.
"I'll give you two some privacy."
Raven looked at her.
"I'll find you."
Eleanor smiled.
"Okay."
She walked back inside.
Andrea waited until Eleanor was out of earshot.
"The man from earlier was definitely connected to the group we've been watching."
Raven's expression hardened.
"Did you identify him?"
"No."
"Where did he go?"
"Private entrance. One of my people followed him."
"Anything else?"
Andrea lowered her voice.
"He wasn't watching the guests."
Raven stared at her.
"What was he watching?"
Andrea looked toward Eleanor.
"Her."
Raven's eyes immediately followed.
Eleanor was speaking with Charlotte and Genevieve.
Raven's expression became cold.
"Find out why."
Andrea nodded.
"I will."
The gala eventually began to wind down.
Eleanor said goodbye to Charlotte and Genevieve.
As she walked toward the exit, she noticed Raven waiting.
"You're still here."
"I told you I'd find you."
Eleanor smiled.
"You did."
They walked toward the entrance together.
Outside, Raven's car was waiting.
Eleanor stopped.
"Are you taking me home?"
"Yes."
"You don't have to."
"I know."
Eleanor smiled.
"Then I'll let you."
Raven opened the door for her.
Before Eleanor entered, she looked at Raven.
"Tonight was nice."
Raven nodded.
"It was."
Eleanor smiled.
"Goodnight, Raven."
"Goodnight, Eleanor."
The car drove away.
Raven remained outside for several seconds.
Then Andrea approached.
"We found something."
Raven turned.
"What?"
Andrea handed her a photograph.
It showed the masked stranger standing beside a black vehicle.
On the back was a single symbol.
A symbol Raven had never seen before.
Raven stared at it.
"Who are they?"
Andrea shook her head.
"We don't know."
Raven closed her fingers around the photograph.
"Then find out."
She looked toward the road where Eleanor's car had disappeared.
Her expression darkened.
Because one thing was becoming clear.
Someone was watching Eleanor.
And Raven intended to find why before they got close enough to hurt her again.