No one ever noticed the staff.
Hiding as a server carrying trays of food and drink, moving invisibly through crowds of conference goers. Posing as volunteers with clipboards and name tags could easily become part of the background scenery, trusted and ignored simultaneously.
They'd been everywhere. At the keynote speech yesterday, standing to the side near the door to the kitchen in a catering uniform and holding a tray of water glasses, close enough to hear every word Rose said about the power of storytelling. Close enough to see the elegant curve of her neck as she leaned toward the microphone and the way the stage lights caught the gold in her hair.
Today at the book signing, they'd worn the volunteer’s T-shirt and badge, moving freely around the perimeter of the packed hotel conference room. Like so many of the readers, theyused their cell phone to capture Rose's gracious smile as she signed books for hundreds of adoring fans. The security team barely glanced at someone with proper identification.
Hidden in plain sight. Invisible among the army of people required to make such events function smoothly.
The euphoria was intoxicating. To be so close, to watch her animated conversations with readers, to see her pleasure at connecting with people who appreciated her work. It was everything they'd imagined and more.
But then reality intruded, souring the perfect moment.
The bodyguards. Not just Aldo Caspani anymore, but three additional men who moved through the crowds with the kind of professional awareness that made invisibility more challenging. Their eyes constantly scanned faces, looking for threats, for anything out of place.
They'd positioned themselves strategically around Rose like satellites orbiting their sun, close enough to respond to danger but far enough back to give her the illusion of normalcy. Professional. Competent. Utterly infuriating.
"Why is he still around her?" they hissed into the empty hotel room, hands clenching the camera strap until knuckles went white. "She's mine, and I just need to let her know that it's finally our time together."
Months of careful planning, weeks of patient surveillance, years of devotion, and this stranger remained obstinately present in Rose's life. What should have been a simple matter of revealing themselves as her devoted admirer had become complicated by his protective interference.
But tonight would be different. Tonight, at the awards ceremony, they would finally act.
"And I can do it," they murmured, reviewing the carefully memorized layout of the convention center ballroom. "Right under Aldo Caspani's stupid nose."
Big, tough man with his military bearing and watchful eyes. He thought he was so smart, so capable of protecting her from every threat. But he was looking for strangers, for obvious dangers, for people who didn't belong.
He wasn't looking for someone who had every right to be there.
"I'll show him," they whispered, turning back to the detailed plans spread across the hotel desk. Floor layouts, security protocols, staff schedules, emergency exits… everything needed for the perfect execution. "I'll show them all."
Tonight, Rose would finally understand that her true protector had been watching over her all along. Tonight, the charade would end, and their real life together could begin.
The camera sat on the dresser, memory card full of beautiful images from the past two days. Soon, those would be joined by pictures of their reunion, of Rose's face when she realized who had always loved her.
Everything was ready. Everything was perfect. All that remained was waiting for darkness to fall.
36
The Screenwriters Association Awards Ceremony transformed the same ballroom where Willow had delivered her keynote speech into something altogether more intimate and theatrical. The overhead lights had been dimmed to create an atmosphere of elegant sophistication, while flickering candles on each round table cast dancing shadows across the faces of the 400 attendees. The effect was reminiscent of the Academy Awards, though on a much smaller scale and without the parade of A-list celebrities that dominated Hollywood's biggest night.
Willow had chosen a midnight-blue evening gown for the occasion. Her dress was a flowing silk chiffon creation that skimmed her curves without being overly revealing, with delicate beading along the neckline that caught the candlelight beautifully. She had pulled her hair in a low chignon with soft tendrils framing her face. Dangling silver rose earrings hung from her ears, and a matching bracelet encircled her wrist.
As she’d applied her makeup for a more dramatic look than her usual understated application, she was grateful the daily time expenditure was no longer part of her routine. But now, with smoky eyes and rosy lips, she smiled at her reflection in the ladies' room as she chatted with a few fellow presenters.
Stepping out of the room, she wasn’t surprised to see Casper standing just outside in the hallway. He was on edge, which made her more nervous. And then that made him more nervous. Todd had noted their cycle of anxiety, but assured her that she would be safe with them. She didn’t need his assurance. All she had to do was look at Casper, and she knew he would move heaven and earth to keep her safe.
The lighthouse pendant Casper had given her rested against her collarbone, hidden beneath the gown's modest neckline, yet providing the reassurance of a constant connection to the security team. She touched it absently as she and Casper walked into the ballroom, drawing comfort from its presence even as her nerves continued to build. His hand rested on her back as they weaved through the tables to where she had been directed to sit.
Earlier in the evening, attendees mingled during the cocktail hour, sampling heavy hors d'oeuvres ranging from Kansas City's famous barbecue sliders to more elegant offerings such as smoked salmon canapés and stuffed mushrooms. The social atmosphere had been warm and collegial, with screenwriters, producers, and industry professionals catching up on projects and sharing war stories from the trenches of the entertainment business.
Instead of moving among the attendees, she stayed near the side, with Casper close by, so others could move over to her if they wanted to chat. It felt unnatural to be somewhat standoffish, but it would allow the stalker to see how close she was with Casper.If they’re here.Glancing at the men and women moving around, she realized how easy it would be for someone to be hiding in plain sight.
Now, as the formal ceremony began, Willow was seated at a table near the front in the center section. The position of honor made her highly visible to the entire audience but also separated her from Casper's immediate protection. She couldsee him nearby, standing with his back against the wall. Her breath hitched at the vision. He was devastatingly handsome in his dark suit, which allowed him to blend seamlessly with the venue's staff, while his alert posture and scanning gaze marked him as anything but ordinary hotel personnel.
Every time she caught sight of him, her heart rate increased in ways that had nothing to do with security concerns and everything to do with the way he looked. Transformed for the formal occasion, Casper cut an imposing figure in a tailored black suit. The formal wear emphasized his broad shoulders and athletic build, lending him an air of sophisticated danger. His hair maintained the edge of military precision, with the darker hair on top complementing the suit jacket's sharp lines.
The contrast between his rugged features and the refined formal wear was striking. She dragged in a deep breath, enraptured by the idea of a wolf hiding in a gentleman's clothing. His intense dark eyes traveled around the room, constantly returning to her. To anyone looking, he simply had the appearance of a bodyguard, but as their gazes met and their lips curved slightly, she knew he was much more. He was everything.
