Kelvin's POV
Eve walked in.
I looked at her once and nodded.
"Good job."
She stood straight. "Thank you, sir."
"Clean work. No mistakes."
"Yes, sir."
I paused, then added
"Get some rest. You'll need it."
"Yes, sir."
She turned and left.
Aron glanced at me. "She handled it well."
"I know," I said.
---
Eve's POV
I got to my room and shut the door.
The mission was done.
Everything went as planned.
So why was I still thinking about him?
I leaned against the wall.
Ethan Cross.
The way he looked at me…
Too sharp.
Too aware.
It didn't feel like I fooled him.
It felt like he let it happen.
That wasn't normal.
And I didn't like it.
I pushed off the wall.
I needed to clear my head.
---
Ethan's POV
The car was quiet.
I removed my suit jacket—the bug was still on it.
I threw it out the window.
"Has she been found?" I asked.
"No, sir," Speed replied.
"Who do you think did this?"
"We don't know, sir."
I leaned back.
"Seems I was someone's target tonight."
Interesting.
"Any update on the dealers?" I asked.
"I need to meet them, but it has to look natural."
"Not tonight, sir," Speed said. "They're probably bugged too. Tomorrow is better."
"I agree."
Silence.
Then my mind went back to her.
The waitress.
The eyes.
The control.
"I'll find you," I muttered.
I cursed under my breath.
---
Kelvin's POV
We tapped into the bugs.
Aron and Jane stood with me.
We listened.
Every conversation.
Clear.
Foreign voices.
Careful words.
Then it became obvious.
Dealers.
Not locals.
They needed help moving goods into the country.
And they were willing to pay big for it.
I let out a short laugh.
"What makes them think Mister Winchester is the right man for that?"
Jane smirked slightly.
"They're desperate."
"Good."
Aron suddenly spoke, tense.
"Sir… the one on Ethan Cross."
I looked at him.
"It's no longer at the party."
I didn't react.
"Location shows it's still close to the area… but not inside."
I nodded once.
"He found it."
Aron swallowed. "What do we do?"
"Send someone to check."
"Yes, sir."
He moved immediately.
I looked back at the screen.
Ethan Cross.
Ethan's POV
By the time I got back to the mansion, I was already irritated.
The night had dragged longer than expected.
I walked straight into my room, and stopped.
Claire was on the bed.
Completely naked.
Waiting.
I frowned.
"Welcome, honey…"
The moment she spoke, my skin crawled.
"Every time I come home," I said flatly, "you find a way to send me right back to where I came from."
"Ethan, no, please"
"You had better put on a dress."
My voice didn't rise. It didn't need to.
"I'm moving into another room. A servant will come in to pick a few things for me."
I adjusted my cuff, already turning away.
"I don't have time for this."
I started walking out.
"Don't you dare walk out on me, Ethan!
I didn't stop.
"Stop forcing me, Ethan!"
That made me pause.
Slowly.
"What can you do, Claire?" I asked without turning.
Silence.
Then
"I could break you, Ethan."
That made me still.
For a second.
Then I let out a quiet breath.
"I dare you, Claire."
My voice was cold
And I walked out.