Chapter 263
The tent was opulent enough to forget it had any business calling itself “outdoorsy.” Billowing white fabric walls trapped the afternoon sunlight and softened it into something warm and golden, like the world had been filtered through expensive champagne. At the center of it all, Eliana lay sprawled across a king-sized bed, wrapped in silk sheets so smooth they felt vaguely illegal for a supposed wilderness retreat.
Three hours had vanished since they’d arrived—three blessed, uninterrupted hours of sleep. The kind that didn’t come with dreams or guilt or sudden jolts of anxiety. The mountain air drifted in through discreet vents, carrying the scent of pine and wildflowers, nature carefully curated and piped in like background music. Peaceful. Convincing. Almost believable.
Eliana stirred, stretching beneath the plush comforter as consciousness crept back in. Her honey eyes fluttered open, and for a brief, fragile moment, she forgot where she was—or who she was supposed to be. The weight of the day lingered faintly in her chest: the stares, the smiles that cut too sharp, the performance everyone expected her to nail flawlessly. Sleep had dulled it, not erased it.
She pushed herself upright, silk whispering against her skin, long curls spilling over her shoulders in a dark, unruly cascade. Her gaze drifted around the tent, taking in the absurd luxury of it all, before settling on Rafael.
He sat in an armchair near a small library nook, a leather-bound book open in his hands. His steel-grey eyes moved across the page, but his posture gave him away—too alert, too controlled. The man could be “relaxing” in a fortified bunker and look exactly the same. Always calculating. Always watching.
A soft knock sounded at the entrance flap.
Eliana’s pulse jumped instinctively, but Rafael didn’t even look up. “Come in, James p>
The flap parted, and James stepped inside, neat as ever. Dark hair perfectly in place, wire-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, and that calm, capable energy of a man who knew everyone’s secrets and kept them filed alphabetically. In one hand, he held a sleek tablet—the modern equivalent of a dagger, really—glowing with the conference itinerary.
“Good afternoon,” James said, voice warm and refreshingly sincere. He glanced between them and smiled. “Judging by the silence, I’m guessing the nap was successful. Eliana, you look… less like you want to flee into the woods. Progress p>
Eliana let out a quiet laugh, tugging the sheet up as she swung her legs off the bed. “It helped. A lot. This place is… impressive. And mildly intimidating. But sleep makes everything slightly more survivable.” She tilted her head. “So. What’s next? Another round of pretending p>
James’s lips twitched as he handed the tablet to Rafael. “Always pretending. But next up, we have a group hike starting in about an hour. Very ’casual.’ Very ’organic.’ Nothing too intense—just a scenic mountain trail designed to encourage bonding p>
He paused, then added dryly, “Which, of course, means CEOs pretending to unplug while quietly negotiating mergers through their smartwatches p>
Rafael smirked as he scrolled through the schedule, jaw tightening just enough to signal he was already ten steps ahead. Even dressed down in a crisp button-down and slacks, he radiated control like a second skin. “A hike,” he said. “Excellent. Fresh air and premium hypocrisy.” He looked up at Eliana. “You up for it? We can skip if you’d rather stay here and enjoy the aggressively expensive sheets p>
Eliana met his gaze, resolve flickering behind her uncertainty. “No. I’m okay.” She hesitated, then added, softer, “It might actually be nice. I just… worry people will start asking questions again. About us p>
James stepped in before the doubt could fully take hold, his voice steady, reassuring. “You’ll be fine. Rafael’s got security on high alert, and your love story is solid. Devoted caregiver turned wife. It’s elegant, believable, and just dramatic enough to discourage curiosity.” He offered a small smile. “No one digs deeper unless we give them a reason p>
Eliana exhaled slowly, nodding. For now, that would have to be enough.
Rafael nodded, setting the tablet aside and rising to his full height. He crossed to Eliana in two strides, his hand gently cupping her cheek. “James is right. And if anyone pushes, I’ll handle it. Now, let’s get ready. James, rally the men. We’ll meet at the trailhead p>
As James nodded and exited, Eliana sighed, leaning into Rafael’s touch. “I just… I don’t want to let you down p>
“You won’t,” he murmured, his voice softening in that rare way reserved only for her. “You’re my strength, princess. Not the other way around p>
The hike kicked off beneath a cathedral of towering pines, their branches knitting together overhead as the trail curved gently upward. The mountain air was crisp and clean, the kind that made people sigh dramatically and say things like “I needed this”—usually right before checking their notifications.
The group itself looked like a luxury brand’s idea of ruggedness. Billionaires paraded down the path in pristine designer hiking boots that had never known the indignity of mud. Their “low-effort” outfits probably cost more than a modest house, complete with breathable fabrics engineered for discomfort they’d never actually endure.
Rafael had resumed his role, settled neatly into the wheelchair for appearances. James pushed him along the accessible trail with practiced ease, all calm efficiency and quiet vigilance. Eliana walked beside them, close enough that her hand occasionally brushed Rafael’s arm—a small, grounding gesture that looked tender enough to sell the illusion and real enough to steady her.
The rest of Rafael’s team dissolved into the scene like they belonged there. Oliver faded into the periphery, present and invisible all at once. Will strode ahead, broad shoulders and relaxed smile hiding enough hardware to start a small war. Liam’s sharp gaze flicked constantly, reading tensions and alliances in the slightest shifts of posture. Kai moved soundlessly, predatory grace wrapped in casual indifference. Viktor scanned the terrain with steady patience, and Jax—somehow—managed to coordinate it all while looking like he was genuinely enjoying the hike.
Rafael leaned slightly toward Eliana, his voice low and amused. “Look at them,” he murmured. “CEOs pretending to disconnect. See that one over there—the tech mogul with the smartwatch? I’d bet good money he’s closing a multimillion-dollar deal right now while pretending to commune with nature p>
Eliana followed his gaze discreetly and had to bite back a laugh. The man in question was tapping furiously at his wrist, his face arranged into an expression of profound appreciation for the view, as though the mountains were personally inspiring his profit margins.
“You’re not wrong,” she whispered back. “And listen to the kids p>
Ahead of them, a small pack of preteens—clearly born into privilege and confidence—bounded along the trail. Their voices carried easily.
“My dad’s NFT collection is worth more than yours p>
“Oh please. I traded a Bored Ape for two CryptoPunks last week. It’s basically like trading cards. Just… better p>
To be continued p>