Chapter 2 A Dangerous Introduction

The ballroom sparkled like a dream. Golden chandeliers hung above the crowd, casting light over people dressed in silks and diamonds.

Laughter filled the air.

Every face smiled, but none of them were real.

Ava Montgomery stood near the edge of the room, a glass of champagne in her hand.

Her gown shimmered softly under the lights, red like a drop of fire in a sea of gold.

Her hair fell in loose waves, and her smile was calm.

She looked every inch the perfect heiress.

No one would guess that only last night, she had been climbing rooftops in a black mask.

Her eyes scanned the room.

She already knew who she was looking for.

And then she saw him.

Leo Kane.

Tall, calm, and confident.

He moved through the crowd like he owned it, and maybe he did.

His black suit was sharp, and his gray eyes were colder than the glass in his hand.

He was talking to a group of older businessmen when his gaze found her.

Their eyes met, and time seemed to slow.

Ava felt a strange twist in her chest, part fear, part curiosity.

His expression did not change, but she could tell he recognized something.

For a moment, she thought he might walk away.

Instead, he began walking toward her.

Her fingers tightened around her glass.

She whispered softly, "Stay calm."

"Miss Montgomery."

His voice was smooth and quiet, exactly like she remembered.

Ava turned, keeping her polite smile. "Mr. Kane."

"It is nice to finally meet you," he said. "Your family speaks highly of you."

"That must be rare," she said lightly.

He smiled faintly. "I can see they were not lying when they said you have spirit."

Ava tilted her head slightly. "You seem familiar too. Have we met before?"

He looked at her for a moment longer. "I was about to ask you the same thing."

Her heart skipped.

She forced a soft laugh. "Maybe we both just have memorable faces."

"Maybe," he said quietly, though his eyes did not look convinced.

Before she could think of what to say next, her mother appeared with a bright smile.

"Mr. Kane, what a pleasure. I see you have met my daughter."

"Yes," Leo said politely. "She is quite... remarkable."

"Thank you," Margaret Montgomery said proudly. "Ava has always had good taste in people."

Her father joined them, holding a drink.

"Leo, I am glad you could make it. I have been wanting to speak to you about our next project."

Leo smiled. "I look forward to it."

Ava stood between them, pretending to listen.

Her mind was spinning.

When the music changed, Leo turned back to her.

"Would you care to dance?"

Ava hesitated. "I am not sure I should."

"Then you definitely should," he said softly, offering his hand.

For a second, she thought of refusing.

Then she smiled and placed her hand in his. "Alright."

They moved to the center of the ballroom.

People stepped aside as they began to dance.

Ava's gown brushed lightly against the floor.

Leo's hand rested gently on her waist.

"You dance well," he said.

"So do you," she replied.

"Are you always this calm?"

"I have to be," she said.

He smiled slightly. "That sounds like a lie."

She looked up at him, meeting his gray eyes. "You do not know me well enough to say that."

"Not yet," he said. "But I plan to."

The music slowed.

Their steps stayed perfectly in sync.

Ava could feel his heartbeat close to hers.

Every word, every look between them felt like a secret waiting to break.

"You do not seem like the kind of woman who enjoys parties," he said quietly.

"I do not," she replied. "But I am good at pretending."

"Pretending can be dangerous."

"So can the truth," she said softly.

He smiled again. "We have that in common."

The music ended, and they stepped apart as the crowd clapped.

Ava gave him a polite nod. "Thank you for the dance, Mr. Kane."

"The pleasure was mine," he said. "Although I think you enjoyed it too."

"Do not be so sure," she said, but her smile gave her away.

Later, Ava escaped to the balcony for air.

The night breeze was cool against her skin.

The city lights glittered far below.

For the first time that evening, she could breathe.

She touched her earpiece and whispered, "Nina, are you there?"

"I am always here," Nina said. "So, how did the fancy party go?"

"Interesting," Ava said softly.

"Interesting means dangerous," Nina replied. "What happened?"

"I danced with him."

Nina gasped. "You did what?"

"It was part of the act."

"Oh, sure," Nina said teasingly. "And did the act include staring into his eyes?"

Ava smiled faintly. "He looked at me like he was trying to remember something."

"Maybe he does remember," Nina said. "You have to be careful, Ava. If he connects you to The Night Fox, everything falls apart."

"I know," Ava whispered. "But there is something about him."

"Something bad?"

"Something dangerous," Ava said. "And I cannot decide if I want to run or stay."

When Ava went back inside, her father was already talking with Leo near the stairs.

They looked friendly, almost too friendly.

Her father laughed, shaking Leo's hand.

Ava's stomach tightened.

She walked toward them with a calm smile.

"Father," she said, "you and Mr. Kane seem to be getting along."

"Of course," her father said. "Leo is sharp and reliable. I have a feeling we will be working together soon."

Ava's chest felt heavy. "That sounds sudden."

Leo looked at her with that same calm smile. "Business moves fast, Miss Montgomery."

"Sometimes too fast," she replied.

He smiled but said nothing more.

Her father changed the subject, but Ava could feel Leo's eyes on her the entire time.

When the gala ended, Ava sat in her car, staring out the window.

Her reflection in the glass looked calm, but her mind was restless.

She had wanted to avoid Leo Kane.

Now he was suddenly everywhere.

Her father trusted him, her mother liked him, and she was the only one who knew the truth.

He was dangerous.

And she had no idea how much he already knew.

The next morning, sunlight filled the Montgomery mansion.

Ava sat at the breakfast table, stirring her tea.

Her father entered with a smile, holding the morning newspaper.

"Good news," he said. "Our company is officially partnering with Kane Enterprises."

Ava froze. "You are what?"

"It is a strong business move," her father said. "Mr. Kane and I will sign the documents this week."

Her mother looked delighted. "This will make our family stronger. You should thank your father, Ava."

Ava forced a smile. "Of course."

But inside, her stomach twisted.

This partnership meant she would have to see Leo again.

Over and over.

There would be meetings, events, and endless chances for disaster.

She pushed away her cup and stood. "I need some air."

Her mother frowned. "You just sat down."

"I am not hungry," Ava said, already walking toward the door.

Outside, she took a deep breath.

The garden was quiet, filled with sunlight and roses.

She closed her eyes and whispered, "You are in trouble, Ava."

Her phone buzzed.

It was a message from Nina.

Nina: Did you see the news?

Ava: Yes. My father and Leo are working together.

Nina: That is bad. Really bad.

Ava: I know. But maybe I can use it.

She put her phone away and looked back toward the mansion.

Her heart felt heavy, but her eyes were sharp.

She would not run from this.

She had come too far.

If Leo Kane wanted to play, she would play too.

Only one of them could win.

That evening, Leo sat in his office, reading the same newspaper headline.

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

He traced his finger over Ava's picture printed beside her father's name.

"Montgomery Industries joins hands with Kane Enterprises," he read softly.

He leaned back in his chair and smiled to himself.

"So, we meet again, Miss Montgomery. And this time, I will find out who you really are."

The city lights reflected in his cold gray eyes.

Outside, thunder rolled softly over Halston City.

A storm was coming, and both of them were standing right in the middle of it.