Beneath the Veil of Shadows

Chapter 17

Sapphire stepped out of the courthouse, her heels clicking sharply on the stone steps as she descended. The weight of the courtroom's victory still lingered on her shoulders, though it didn’t feel as triumphant as it used to. She had won the case, just like she had always done, but something about her life outside the courtroom made her victories feel hollow now. She once thrived on these moments of success, feeling the rush of adrenaline as she delivered the final blow to her opponent's argument. Now, it felt as though she was going through the motions—another case closed, another name on her long list of wins.

Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag, and she instinctively reached for her car keys before stopping herself. She wasn’t going home—not to her apartment filled with the quiet peace she used to treasure. That apartment, once a sanctuary, had become a symbol of a life she no longer led.

No, she was heading to his house.

Logan was already waiting for her by the black SUV, leaning casually against the side as though it was the most natural thing in the world to be sent as her personal escort. Elias had become more possessive in subtle ways—never directly confining her but always ensuring his presence was felt through people like Logan. It was a reminder that, no matter how much space Elias gave her, he was always watching. Always in control. She hated it, the invisible leash he kept her on, but she also knew better than to complain. Logan was just following orders, after all.

She approached him, her movements deliberate, trying to mask the frustration brewing under her calm exterior. “I could have taken a cab, you know,” she said with a tight smile.

Logan arched a brow, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Did you forget I am your shadow. Wherever you go, I go." His smirk deepened.

Of course, he was. Sapphire exhaled slowly, reminding herself not to take her irritation out on Logan. He was loyal to Elias, and she was just another person under his care. Without another word, she opened the back door and slid into the seat, the luxurious leather cold against her skin. It was a strange contrast to the heat that simmered inside her—a mixture of anger, frustration, and something she couldn’t quite name.

The drive back to Elias’s house—the penthouse she now resided in—was uneventful, though her thoughts were anything but. She stared out the window, watching the city blur by in flashes of concrete and metal. Once, she had found peace in these drives, reflecting on her day or quietly celebrating her courtroom victories. Now, she felt trapped, even in motion. Ever since Elias had forced his way into her life, nothing had been the same. He had turned everything upside down, and she wasn't sure if she would ever find solid ground again.

Her phone buzzed in her lap, the message from Rachel lighting up her screen: Drinks tonight?

The simple question reminded her of the life she had before all of this—the life where she could go out with her friends, unwind after a long day, and laugh about things that had nothing to do with crime or dangerous men. She stared at the message, her thumb hovering over the screen, but she couldn’t bring herself to respond. She wanted to say yes. She wanted to escape, even if just for a few hours. But she knew she couldn’t. Not with Elias. Not with everything hanging over her head.

The SUV pulled through the gates of Elias’s penthouse, and the sight of the tall iron barriers, the looming stone walls, sent a shiver down her spine. She hated this place. It was grand, opulent, and luxurious in every way, but to her, it was nothing more than a cage. The security cameras, the thick walls, and the constant presence of Elias’s men—it all felt like it was designed to trap her, not protect her.

Logan brought the vehicle to a stop, and Sapphire let out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding. She nodded her thanks to him—though it was more out of habit than genuine gratitude—and stepped out of the car. The air was cool, a stark contrast to the heated thoughts swirling inside her mind.