Shadows between us

he lingering warmth of the room. Maya's heels clicked sharply against the polished marble floor as she navigated the crowded space, her eyes scanning for an opening, for th

d been years in the making. She was a journalist, and more than that, an activist with

ly's empire, rumors of corruption, shady deals, and dark secrets had long circulated. Maya had spent months working her way into the right ci

l laughing and talking in that way only the wealthy seemed capable of. His presence was magnetic, effortlessly commanding attention without even trying. His dark h

e information she needed. But there was something about him that unsettled her, something about the way he carried himself, the confidence in his

e subtle way he turned toward her, as if sensing her presence before she even spoke. His eyes - dark,

e was smooth, like velvet, but there was an edge

y the way he stood there, exuding charm and e

polite smile, keeping the distance she needed. "I'm Maya," she added, giving him her first name

a fraction, as if he already knew somethin

her appearance tonight was one that blended in - no flashy outfits, no bold statements. She was just another guest, another fa

se to him, and not feel like he was already reading her like an open book? His ey

ontinued, his voice low and inquisitive, his ey

directly. "I could ask you the same thing," she replied smoothly, though the words felt sharp even to her o

cond, there was a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "Fair

guard. What was she supposed to say? "I'm just here to enjoy the evening," she said after a bea

of his gaze on her. He was waiting for her to crack, to reveal something - anything - that would give him an advantage

ing upward in the faintest smile. "You're a hard one to

though she didn't know why. She shouldn't be feeling th

s small, but it felt charged, like an electric current waiting to surge. "Tell me, Maya," he s

dreading. The truth was, she wasn't sure what she

hrough the tension. A well-dressed woman appea

, and without missing a beat, she wrapped her arm aroun

e more, this time with an unspoken challenge hanging b

ring her a tight, polite smile. "I

er heart still racing, unsure of what had just happened. The encounter had been brief,