The Thief in His Shadow: He Protects the Powerful. She Steals Their Secrets. Enemies to Lovers Romance

Adrian Mercer is paid to notice threats before anyone else does.

Then Elara Quinn walks into a ballroom, and suddenly he cannot look anywhere else.

Adrian works elite private security, moving through the world of billionaires, charity galas, private estates, and people wealthy enough to believe danger happens only to someone else. Elara moves through those same rooms for a very different reason.

She steals.

At least, that is what Adrian thinks at first.

Their paths keep crossing at high-profile events, and every encounter leaves him with more questions. Elara changes appearances, avoids cameras, tracks security schedules, and chooses her targets far too carefully for a simple pickpocket. One night she is carrying a stolen USB she cannot afford to lose while Adrian is standing close enough to expose everything.

He should turn her in.

Instead, he keeps protecting her.

Their attraction grows alongside Adrian's suspicion that Elara is involved in something much larger, something aimed at powerful people who may be far more dangerous than she admits.

Adrian has spent his career keeping people safe.

Now the woman he wants most may force him to decide who actually deserves his protection.