Unlawful Shadows | +18

Chapter 37

Elowen's POV

The soft glow of candlelight flickered between us, casting warm shadows across the polished table. I sat across from Zephyr in one of the fanciest restaurants I had ever been to, and my heart raced not just from the exquisite atmosphere but from the revelations of the day. The air was thick with the smell of gourmet food, but all I could taste was the weight of what had happened earlier.

As I picked at my food, my mind drifted back to our earlier encounter. I couldn't shake the image of the tortured man, the realization that Zephyr was capable of such brutality. He had gone above and beyond to ensure my safety, eliminating my sleazy landlord without a second thought. Even though I had planned to leave that life behind, he had stepped in and taken care of it for me, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

I glanced up to meet Zephyr's intense gaze, and my breath caught in my throat. There was a storm of emotions behind his eyes—anger, protectiveness, and something deeper that I couldn't quite decipher. I felt a flutter in my chest as I remembered his words, his actions, how he had obliterated that man with a level of ruthlessness that made my stomach churn. The thought that he would go to such lengths for my safety made me appreciate him even more.

Zephyr's fierce determination and willingness to protect those he cared about struck me deeply. The sheer intensity of his actions made his words resonate within me in a way they hadn't before. I realized he could have easily hidden that side of himself from me, pretended to be someone he wasn't, but instead, he had laid bare his reality—the darkness he carried and the lengths he would go to protect those he loved, even me.

I couldn't help but admire him for it. This was more than just a man trying to impress me; this was a guardian shaped by a difficult childhood, molded by the need to protect those he loved. I marveled at how someone so capable of violence could also be so caring, so gentle in moments that mattered.

My heart ached at the thought of the sacrifices he made, the burdens he carried to keep his family safe. I had entered into this complicated world without fully understanding the depth of the ties that bound them together, and now I found myself longing to understand it even more.

As dinner continued, I stole glances at him, trying to memorize every detail of his face—the strong jawline, the dark hair falling just above his piercing eyes, the way he focused so intently on me as if I were the only thing in the world.

As we finished dinner, the clinking of silverware faded into the background, and a sense of satisfaction settled within me. I could still feel the warmth of Zephyr's gaze as we walked out of the restaurant, and I was lost in my thoughts, replaying the moments we had shared.

But just as we stepped onto the sidewalk, my thoughts were interrupted. A stunning woman approached, her figure draped in a sleek dress that hugged every curve. Her smile was dazzling, but the way her eyes landed on Zephyr sent a surge of jealousy through me.

"Zephyr! Is that really you?" she cooed, her voice dripping with flirtation as she stepped closer, closing the space between them. "It's been ages! I thought you'd forgotten about me."

He stiffened beside me, a subtle tension running through his body as he tried to sidestep her advances. "I'm busy," he replied curtly, his tone flat.

But the woman was relentless, leaning closer and batting her eyelashes. "Oh, come on! Just a quick drink? We used to have so much fun together."

I felt my heart race, anger bubbling just beneath the surface. Who did she think she was? I could see the annoyance on Zephyr's face, but it was mixed with something else—something darker. He didn't want her attention, and yet she persisted.