The last glass touched the table softly.
A quiet end.
Ethan rose, slow and composed, his presence alone enough to shift the room.
"Gentlemen," he said, voice even, "we'll continue when necessary. For now… enjoy the rest of your evening."
They didn't linger.
Didn't celebrate.
Chairs moved. Jackets straightened.
And one by one, they left.
Not toward the music.
Toward the exit.
Ethan watched them go, eyes calm, mind already moving ahead.
The door shut.
Silence followed.
Then it changed.
Because now it was just her.
Eve.
Ethan picked up his glass, rolling it slightly between his fingers, gaze sliding toward her without fully turning.
"You should enjoy the night," he said.
A pause.
"No need to stay."
Eve looked at him, studying something beneath the words.
"Are you asking me to leave, sir?"
His eyes lifted to hers.
Direct.
"No."
"Then I'll stay."
Something in him tightened.
Small.
Irritating.
Unnecessary.
He looked away first.
"Miss."
The interruption came smooth.
Ethan's gaze shifted immediately.
The man approaching her didn't hesitate. Confident. Relaxed.
Too relaxed.
"I was hoping for a dance," he said easily.
Eve didn't answer immediately.
Ethan noticed that.
Not just the pause.
But the choice inside it.
Then she smiled.
"I suppose one dance wouldn't hurt."
Ethan's grip on his glass tightened just slightly.
One dance.
He leaned back, masking it.
"Enjoy," he said.
But his voice had dropped.
Lower.
Sharper.
Eve didn't look back.
She placed her hand in the man's.
And walked away.
That was what stayed with him.
Not the dance.
Not the man.
The fact that she didn't look back.
From where he sat, Ethan had a clear view.
And unfortunately, so did his mind.
His eyes followed them the moment they stepped onto the floor.
The man's hand settled on her waist.
Too easily.
Too comfortably.
Ethan's jaw tightened.
His thumb dragged slowly along the rim of his glass.
Again.
And again.
He didn't move.
Because control meant staying still.
But inside, nothing was still.
"You took your time," Aaron murmured under his breath, his lips barely moving.
Eve's expression remained soft. Relaxed.
"I had to be careful."
They moved in rhythm, seamless, close enough to sell the illusion.
"Was he suspicious?"
"No," she said lightly, following his lead as they turned.
A small pause.
"But he notices everything."
Aaron exhaled quietly.
"Then we don't get a second mistake."
Ethan's eyes narrowed slightly from across the room.
The man leaned closer.
Too close.
Ethan's grip tightened again.
"And the meeting?" Aaron asked.
"Nothing finalized," Eve replied, her tone still light enough for anyone watching. "They're still building structure."
"What kind?"
"A system," she said. "One without patterns."
Aaron's eyes flickered.
"Smart."
"Yes."
Eve's gaze shifted just for a second.
Toward Ethan.
Still watching.
Always watching.
"And they trust him," she added.
"How much?"
Ethan's fingers stilled against the glass.
"Enough to let him lead," Eve said.
Aaron processed that quickly.
"And timelines?"
"None," she replied. "No movement yet."
Good.
That meant time.
Ethan's gaze darkened slightly.
The man's hand adjusted at her waist.
Not inappropriate.
But not distant either.
And Ethan noticed that.
Of course he did.
"They don't see me yet," Eve continued.
"But he does?"
A beat.
Eve's voice softened just slightly.
"Yes."
That shifted something in Ethan's chest.
He didn't hear the words.
But he felt the moment.
The way she looked.
The way she held herself.
It wasn't empty.
And that unsettled him more than anything else.
The music slowed.
Perfect.
Aaron stepped back just slightly, the illusion loosening.
"I should at least get your number," he said, louder now.
Casual.
Public.
Eve let out a soft laugh.
"Of course."
She gave him something believable.
Not real.
Aaron nodded, playing along perfectly.
"I'll call you."
"I'll be waiting." A lie wrapped neatly.
Then she stepped away.
"Excuse me."
And just like that, strangers again.
Ethan hadn't moved.Not once.
But the glass in his hand was empty.
Again.
He didn't remember finishing it.His gaze followed her return.Every step.Measured.
Calm.unaffected.That irritated him.
More than the dance itself.
She stopped in front of him.
"Sir…"
"Did you enjoy the dance?"
He cut in.
Too quickly.
Too directly.
Eve met his eyes.
And answered simply.
"Yes."
Something in him tightened.
Sharp.
Controlled.
But there.
Yes.
He leaned back slowly, eyes still locked on hers."Dance with me."Not a request.Not this time.Something else.Something heavier.
Eve held his gaze.
Then...
"I'm tired."
Silence.
Real silence.
Ethan didn't move.
Didn't blink.
Just looked at her.
Tired.
But not for him.
His jaw shifted slightly.
Controlled.
"Tired," he repeated.
"Yes."
A pause stretched between them
Then Ethan nodded once.
"Of course."
But this time, he didn't look away.
And the air between them wasn't the same anymore.
Not after that.
Not after him watching her in someone else's arms and realizing...
he hadn't liked it.
Not even a little.
I took her hand. "Excuse me," I said, already leading her outside. The night air hit cool and quiet.
Speed was waiting by the car. I walked straight to him. "You can find your way back to the mansion. I'll see you later." He hesitated.
"But sir… Madam Claire will—" "Tell her anything." A pause. "Speed… I don't care. Now go." That was enough. He nodded once and left without another word. I turned back.
She was still standing where I left her. Watching. "Come here." She walked toward me, calm and careful. "Get in the car. I'll take you home." "Okay, sir." We got in and I took the wheel.
The drive was quiet. Too quiet. I shouldn't have been looking at her, but I was. Every few seconds. Without meaning to. Without stopping. She sat like nothing was happening, like she couldn't feel it. That made it worse. Streetlights passed over her face in soft intervals, shadow then light, each time pulling my attention back. By the time we got to her place, I hadn't said a word.
"Here we are," she said softly. I stopped the car. She turned slightly. "Thank you, sir." "You're welcome.
" She stepped out, closed the door gently, and walked toward the building.
I watched her. Didn't realize I had gotten out until I was already standing outside.
"Eve." She turned. "You're not going to invite me in?" A pause. Then she smiled, soft and almost teasing. "Of course…come she said.
She led the way and i followed.