Eric paced back and forth across the penthouse living room like a caged animal.
The renovation wasn't finished yet, and the smell of fresh paint mixed with the cold air conditioning.
He checked the clock every two minutes.
Elena had left early—
Just like she had been doing since the hospital argument.
Leaving before sunrise.
Returning late, when the city was already glowing with night lights.
As if she were avoiding him.
He stopped in front of the panoramic window and clenched his fists.
Emir's brother was dead—
Eric had seen him fall from the balcony, his neck pierced by a bullet fired by one of his own men.
But that wasn't enough.
The mercenary group he had previously hired could still have remnants.
Loyal men.
People who wanted revenge.
And the police…
Inspector Pedro Lopez was not a fool.
If he was watching Eric—
He was definitely watching Elena too.
Paradoxically, that gave Eric a disturbing sense of security:
As long as the police were watching—
No one would dare attack her in public.
Still—
The unease wouldn't go away.
The urge to keep her from walking alone was almost physical.
He wanted to send a car.
Security.
Anything.
But he couldn't.
Elena still didn't know the truth about the Midas System.
To her, the gold was just… "a mysterious business."
He kept it completely secret.
Lucía, on the other hand, preferred not to know—
She provided legal support without asking questions.
It was better that way.
Less weight for them.
The private elevator chimed.
Eric froze.
His heart sped up.
The doors opened—
And Elena stepped in.
Delicate features.
Sharpened by anger.
And exhaustion.
She wore simple jeans and a light blue shirt—
Practical.
Unadorned.
Her scent filled the room:
Light perfume mixed with old paper, antique books, machine oil, polished metal.
The smell of a pawn shop.
The smell of reality.
She stopped when she saw him.
"You were waiting for me?" she asked, tense.
"I was."
Elena shut the door harder than necessary.
Her eyes held restrained anger—
And fear.
"Can we talk?" Eric asked.
She hesitated.
Then nodded.
They sat on the couch.
Silence.
Heavy.
"I know you're angry," he began. "And you're partly right. Everything changed after I walked into your shop. I just wanted to help with the loan sharks… and I dragged you into all of this."
Elena crossed her arms.
"Dragged?" she replied. "You paid the debt, saved the shop, protected me… but you also brought death, police, invasions. I wake up every night hearing gunshots."
Eric swallowed.
"I know. And I'm sorry. But Emir's brother is dead—I saw it. Still… I'm afraid there are people left from that group. That's why I want you to wait until Black Fox arrives."
She looked down.
Her shoulders trembled.
"I don't know what to think anymore, Eric. You appear out of nowhere with gold, fix everything… and then the world collapses. I… I'm afraid of you."
A pause.
"And at the same time…"
She didn't finish.
Eric moved closer.
The tension between them was unbearable.
"Elena…"
He kissed her.
Soft.
Hesitant.
Warm.
She reacted instantly.
Pushed him away.
"What are you doing?!"
Her eyes burned.
Confusion.
Anger.
Something else.
Eric didn't back away.
The tension exploded.
He pulled her back.
Kissed her again.
More intense.
His hand slid to her thigh, gripping over her jeans.
Elena let out a soft sound.
For a moment—
She responded.
Then pushed him again.
Harder.
"Eric… stop. This could be a mistake."
Her voice broke.
He stepped back.
Breathing heavy.
Forcing control.
"Sorry…"
She touched her lips.
Before anything could escalate—
The interface appeared.
Blue.
Cold.
Nearby users detected: 1
Distance: 89 meters
Eric clenched his jaw.
Immediate anger.
Always at the worst moments.
"What is it?" Elena asked.
"Nothing…" he lied. "You're right. This could be a mistake. I need to take care of something."
He stepped away.
Walked to the window.
The city was a sea of lights.
He analyzed everything.
Buildings.
Reflections.
Shadows.
Nothing.
No visible presence.
But he knew.
Someone was there.
Watching.
—
Across the street.
Inside a darkened penthouse.
She was watching.
The same woman who had visited Prince Amir.
Sitting calmly.
High-precision binoculars in hand.
Eyes locked.
"So… he learned to use detection," she murmured.
A faint smile.
"He's evolving fast."
She raised her glass of wine.
"Faster than he should."
—
Eric pressed his fist against the glass.
Frustration.
Irritation.
Helplessness.
Behind him, Elena watched silently.
"Good night, Eric," she said.
"Good night."
She walked into her room.
Paused before closing the door.
Looked at him.
The kiss still burned.
Then closed it.
Eric remained still.
The city before him.
The invisible threat around him.
Across the street—
The woman took a slow sip of wine.
Smiling.
"Now…"
She adjusted the binoculars.
"The hunt begins."