All Chapters of Under His Watchful Eyes : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

I walked out of the hallway of the Vane Oasis Resort . It was like stepping into a world. The flashlights of the agents were replaced by the flashing cameras of the paparazzi. The music had. The people were staring at me in shock. Julian was walking behind me his sleeves rolled up. His eyes fixed on the crowd. He did not touch me. I could feel his presence. It was like he was radiating an aura that drew everyones attention.A reporter from the Nevada Ledger shouted out a question. "Mr. Vane can you comment on the search warrant and the federal agents in the building?" Julian stopped at the top of the stairs. Looked out at the crowd. He spoke in a smooth voice that carried across the room. "The Vane-Montgomery merger has been put on hold due to some issues with the paperwork. The board will meet again on Monday. The party is canceled. Please enjoy the rest of your evening."He turned on his heel, his eyes catching mine for a single, silent beat before he gestured toward the private

The morning sun at Vane Enterprises with a sterile, blinding glare, offering none of the bruised heat of the desert. Jullian had Sarah drive me to work. Sarah’s been trying to rekindle our friendship but I still felt betrayed.By 8:00 AM, the corporate machine was humming as if the foundations hadn't violently shifted forty-eight hours ago.I stepped out of the private elevator, my heels clicking a steady, unhurried rhythm against the charcoal marble. I wore a tailored ivory silk blouse, zipped tight to the throat, and a structured black pencil skirt. The white bandages on my palms were gone, replaced by a pair of fine, breathable lace-backed gloves that masked the raw skin beneath while allowing my fingers full dexterity on a keyboard.I was an analyst. I had data to log, compliance nodes to secure, and an empire to watch.When I reached the threshold of the executive suite, the heavy oak doors were already ajar. The scent of French lavender and expensive leather drifted through the

The keys under my fingers felt heavy.02:14 PM.I had been staring at the Vane logistics papers for four hours. I was trying to find out how Arthur Vane had moved money out of the country. The numbers on the screen looked perfect. I knew what was really going on. I knew which files had custom stamps.My gloves clicked on the keyboard.. My mind was stuck on what happened in Julians office. He had said, "I want the girl who broke my encryption." He wanted to catch me to control me. That made him very dangerous.Someone walked by the glass wall of Sector Two. It was not Julians footstep. It was not Viviennes heels. This person walked lightly with a step.The glass door opened.I did not look up away. "If you have the transport tax papers just leave them on the tray.""Still a machine aren't you El?"The voice hit me like a punch to the chest.My fingers stopped moving on the keyboard. The air in the room felt cold and thick. I could smell the familiar scent. My heart was beating fast. I

The smell of Marks cologne was still in the room after he left. It was like a reminder of the past that I did not want to think about.I stood by the glass wall for a time. I looked at my reflection in the light of the monitors. I wore a skirt and a white shirt. My hair was tied up tight. I looked like I belonged in the office of Vane Enterprises. I did not feel like it. I felt empty inside. My heart was hurting.I put my hand in my pocket. Felt the cold flash drive that Mark had dropped. I thought about what he had done. He used my ideas for four years. He made money from them while I was struggling in Chicago.The door to my office was already open. Julian was standing in the doorway. He was wearing his suit jacket again. His collar was open. I could see his neck. He was watching me. He did not say anything. He just looked at me with his eyes."You are shaking " he said quietly. His voice was low and rough."I am not shaking " I said. My voice was flat and cold. I turned around to f

The big doors of the boardroom closed. The noise of the executives discussion, words of Marcus Montgomery and the sound of Viviennes high heels walking away all went away. All that was left was the space between Julian Vane and me.The silence ensued in the room. The scent of Julians perfume filled the space. The big screens on the wall kept moving, showing numbers and words and casting a glow over the black table. The red light made my white shirt look like I was hurt.Julian did not move away. He stood close to me. So close that I could feel the heat from his body. His fingers were wrapped around my coat holding me in place. His thumb was on my skin above my heart. He was not just holding me he was feeling my heartbeat. I could feel his hand moving like he was trying to measure my pulse.He looked like he was in a trance. His blue eyes were big and scared. They made me feel cold inside. There was no mask on his face, no pretended smile. He just looked hungry like a man who had been