Beneath the Veil of Shadows

Chapter 29

Sapphire sat on the edge of the bed, stretching languidly. She glanced across the room where Elias was already dressed, adjusting his tie in the mirror, the faintest smirk playing on his lips as if he could sense her gaze.

“You are staring, Sapphire,” he murmured without turning, his voice low and amused. “Careful, or I might get ideas.”

She rolled her eyes, feigning nonchalance. “As if you don’t already have too many of those.”

Elias chuckled, finally glancing over his shoulder. “I wasn’t the only one with ideas last night.”

Sapphire’s cheeks flushed despite herself, but she shot back, “Are you planning to gloat all morning, or do we actually have somewhere to be?”

He moved toward her, reaching out to run a hand along her jawline. “Patience, Sapphire. I like to take my time.”

She shivered slightly under his touch, feeling a heady mixture of anticipation and irritation. “You are really impossible.”

“Only with you,” he replied smoothly, pressing a brief but lingering kiss to her forehead before stepping back. “Now, get dressed.”

A spark of curiosity lit her eyes. “So you are finally trusting me enough to let me see this mysterious office of yours?”

Elias tilted his head, a glint in his gaze. “Trust has nothing to do with it. I feel relieved knowing where you are.”

Despite the possessiveness in his tone, Sapphire felt a thrill at the thought of accompanying him. There was something about Elias’s world, dangerous as it was, that captivated her curiosity. She wanted to see more, to understand what he kept so carefully hidden.

After a quick shower, she dressed in a fitted black dress with a high neckline and added a pair of stiletto heels—an ensemble both chic and understated. As she fastened her earrings, she noticed Elias watching her, his gaze dark with approval.

“Perfect,” he murmured, offering her his arm. “Shall we?”

They descended to the parking garage, and Elias opened the car door for her with a courtly gesture that never failed to catch her off guard. She slid into the seat, watching as he moved around the car with his usual effortless confidence. Once inside, he started the engine, the deep rumble echoing through the space, and placed his hand on the wheel. For a moment, the only sound between them was the soft hum of the car as he expertly navigated the streets.

As they merged into the flow of traffic, Sapphire couldn't resist testing his calm demeanor. She turned to him, a sly smile playing on her lips, ready to tease him. But before she could say a word, Elias reached over, his fingers brushing hers before capturing her hand in his.

The gesture was unexpected but deliberate. He didn’t look at her, his eyes fixed on the road, but his grip was firm, grounding. Sapphire glanced down at their joined hands, her teasing forgotten as warmth crept up her cheeks.

“So, what kind of meeting are we headed to?” she asked, feigning innocence. “Are you planning to close a deal, or will there be a bit more… persuasion involved?”

Elias’s lips quirked in amusement. “Persuasion, hmm? I think you have seen enough of my methods to know they vary based on the company.”

“Meaning you can be civilized or—”

“Ferocious,” he interjected, a flash of something dark in his eyes. “But only when necessary.”

She smirked, unphased. “Oh, I remember.”

He shot her a sidelong glance, his tone dropping. “You shouldn’t find it so entertaining, Sapphire. This world isn’t a game.”

Her smile faded slightly, though she held his gaze. “Who says I think it is a game?”