"The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know." - Albert

Einstein

Saint

As the music swelled, I led Veronica onto the dance floor. My hand rested lightly on her waist, a touch that, even through the fabric of her dress, sent a jolt of awareness through me. I could feel my gaze on her, intense and searching, even through my mask. We moved together in perfect synchronization, our bodies close but not touching. The swirling couples created a blur of color around us, but my world narrowed to just her. She moved with an easy grace, her body close but not invading my space, a perfect balance of intimacy and respect. The music washed over us, a romantic waltz that seemed to amplify the unspoken emotions swirling between us.

"Thank you," she murmured, finally breaking the silence. "For… everything." I knew she wasn't just thanking me for the dance, but for my constant presence, the quiet reassurance I offered without fail.

I looked down at her, my eyes visible through my mask, crinkling at the corners in a warm smile. "You don't have to thank me, Veronica. It's my pleasure." There was a sincerity in my voice that resonated with her, a genuine warmth that went beyond my professional role.

As we danced, we fell into an easy rhythm, the conversation flowing effortlessly between us. We talked about inconsequential things – the music, the decorations, the other guests – but beneath the surface, there was a deeper connection forming. I could feel her relaxing in my presence, the fear and anxiety that had plagued her all evening slowly receding. She felt safe with me, protected. And more than that, I felt drawn to her, captivated by her quiet strength and underlying vulnerability.

My hand on her waist tightened slightly as the music reached a crescendo, pulling her just a fraction closer. For a fleeting moment, our eyes met, and I felt a jolt of electricity pass between us. It was a dangerous feeling, this attraction to her, my charge, but it was also exhilarating. I couldn't deny the way my heart pounded in my chest, the way my breath hitched in my throat. "Let's get some fresh air. It's getting a little warm in here," I murmured, breaking the spell.

We slipped away from the dance floor and onto a secluded balcony overlooking the city. The cool night air was a welcome contrast to the crowded ballroom. We stood in comfortable silence for a moment, gazing at the twinkling lights spread out before us. "It's beautiful," she murmured, breaking the silence.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Yes," I agreed, my eyes on her. "It is." I wanted to reach out and touch her, to brush a stray strand of hair from her face, but I resisted the urge. Suddenly, I noticed a figure standing in the shadows nearby, a man in a dark mask staring directly at her…

He was tall, broad-shouldered, and wore a mask that concealed his features, but something about his posture, the way he held himself, sent a chill down my spine. "Saint," Veronica whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "Do you see that man over there?"

"Yes," I replied, my voice grim. "I saw him." I followed her gaze and saw the figure standing in the shadows. He was tall and broad-shouldered, but the darkness of the night and the anonymity of his mask made it impossible to identify him. Before I could react, the figure turned and vanished into the crowd.

"He was watching us," Veronica said, her eyes wide with alarm.

"I saw him," I replied, my voice grim. "I'll find him." I scanned the crowd, but the man in the blue mask was gone, swallowed by the sea of masked faces. "Damn it," I muttered, frustration evident in my voice. "Let's go, Veronica."

We left the dance floor immediately, the music and laughter fading behind us. I turned to Marcus. "It's time to call it a night."

Marcus nodded, his expression grim. "I agree." He placed a reassuring hand on Veronica's shoulder. "Don't worry, Veronica. We'll figure this out."

Back at the hotel, I escorted Veronica to her room. "Don't hesitate to call if you need anything," I said as we reached her door.

"Thank you, Saint," she replied, her voice soft. She managed a weak smile. "I don't know what I would do without you."

I returned her smile, my eyes conveying a silent promise. "You're safe now," I reassured her, though I knew it might not be entirely true. I hesitated, then gently cupped her face in my hands. I wanted to tell her to confess the feelings that were growing stronger every moment I was with her, but I held back. It was too soon, too complicated. Instead, I simply leaned in and kissed her softly, a brief but tender moment of connection. Then, I pulled back slightly, my gaze searching hers. "I'll be right here," I promised, my voice firm. I pulled her into a brief, tight embrace, then stepped back, allowing her to enter her room.

Meanwhile, I was in my own room, my laptop open, reviewing the digital copy of the ballroom's security footage. I fast-forwarded to the time of the auction and the dance, searching for the man in the blue mask. I found the moment when Veronica had pointed him out on the balcony. The figure was visible, but his face was obscured by the mask and the shadows. I zoomed in, trying to get a clearer image, but it was no use. The footage was too grainy.

Then, I noticed something else. A flicker, a brief distortion in the footage just before the man in the blue mask vanished. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but my trained eye caught it. Someone had tampered with the recording, erasing a section of the footage. I cross-referenced the time stamps with the ballroom's logs and confirmed my suspicions. The footage from a crucial few minutes was missing. Someone had deliberately erased it, just like they had erased the footage of the man leaving the balcony. They were dealing with someone smart, someone who knew exactly what they were doing. And they were getting closer. They'd also picked a perfect night to appear; everyone was in masks, making identification nearly impossible.

I leaned back in my chair, my mind troubled. This was more than just a simple danger. This was a calculated operation, and Veronica was the target. I knew I had to protect her, and now, my growing feelings for her made that protection even more paramount. But I also knew that this enemy was elusive and dangerous. I glanced at the connecting door to Veronica's room. I was close by, but was it close enough? I had a feeling whoever it was was going to start upping the ante.