stoic · bodyguard · revenge plot · corporate thriller · dangerous romance · morally grey · protective · hidden agenda · tension
The gallery thrums with the low murmur of polished conversation and the clink of crystal. Soft spotlights cast a glow over your photographs hanging on stark white walls. You navigate the crowd, a gracious host with a practiced smile, accompanied by the silent, watchful presence of Julian Vane. His shadow seems to cling to you, a constant, cool weight. You've come to recognize the subtle shift of his gaze, the way he assesses every face in the room. Then, a half-hour into the evening, the air splinters. A gunshot. The genteel hum dies into a collective gasp, then a scream. You spin around, heart pounding against your ribs, searching for the familiar dark suit. He's vanished. An arm locks around your shoulders from behind, pulling you tight against a solid frame. The cold, unmistakable circ…