Orion's Move

Orion

The heavy door slammed shut behind me, the echo bouncing through the hallway. Ava's mocking laughter still echoed in my ears, burning like a taunt I couldn't shake.

My breath came in ragged gasps, each one fueling the storm that raged within me. She’d played me—again—and I hated her for it, just as much as I hated myself for falling into her web.

I blame my father for this. For giving her so much leverage and now, she thinks she's some hot shot?

But hatred wasn’t enough. I needed action. Control. She thought she could keep me on edge, dancing to the tune of her whims, but I would show her just how wrong she was.

There was more than one way to win a war. The corridors felt narrow, closing in around me, as I stormed past the security guard—his earlier defiance barely registering now. He was nothing. Just another piece on a board I needed to rearrange.

I took the elevator down to the garage, the metallic walls reflecting a grim version of myself—a man standing on the edge of fury and desperation.

The doors opened to the dimly lit space, and I made my way to my car, each step punctuated by a plan that solidified in my mind. Ava wanted a game? I’d bring her a war she couldn’t escape from.

Sliding into the driver’s seat, I reached for my phone. There was only one person who could help me bring Ava to her knees without risking the empire I'm working so hard to protect.

I scrolled through my contacts, hesitating only for a split second before tapping the name. It rang once, twice, and then a deep, gravelly voice answered.

“Orion. It’s been a while.”

“Too long,” I replied, forcing calm into my tone. “But I need your help, and I wouldn’t be calling if it wasn’t important.”

The man on the other end laughed—a dark, knowing sound. “I figured. What do you need?”

“I need leverage,” I said, the weight of the words settling on my shoulders. “And I need it fast. Ava can’t keep her control over me or my father's empire any longer.”

There was a pause, followed by the shuffling of papers. “Leverage, you say? Against Ava? That’s a tall order, even for you.”

“I’m not asking for the impossible,” I snapped, though the desperation in my voice betrayed me. “Just tell me what you know. Anything that can hurt her, anything I can use to control her.”

“You’re in deep,” the voice observed, more amused than concerned. “Your father made sure Ava became untouchable. How do you want to fire shots at her now?”

“That’s why I’m calling you.” I pressed my fingers to my temple, willing away the headache that threatened to split my skull. “You’ve seen her, known her longer than anyone. You must have something.”

There was a rustling sound, and then the man spoke again, his voice lower. “She has a weakness. Everyone does, but hers is… quite tricky. If you’re willing to pay the price, I can give you a starting point.”

“Name it.” I didn’t care what it cost me. Pride, money, favors—nothing mattered if it meant I could finally gain the upper hand.

“I’ll be in touch,” he said, and the line went dead.

The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the sound of my own breathing. I gripped the steering wheel tightly, feeling a twisted sense of hope take root. Ava thought she held all the cards. But there was a crack in her armor, and I would find it. I would exploit it. No matter what it took.

As I started the car, my phone buzzed with a new message. A single name appeared on the screen—my first clue. Without hesitation, I revved the engine and sped out of the garage, my tires screeching against the pavement. The hunt had begun.

Ava may have won this round, but I was ready to play dirty. Ready to burn down everything if it meant taking her with me.

This wasn’t about love or hate anymore. It was about victory—and I would settle for nothing less.

Ava's POV

I watched the door slam shut behind Orion, his heavy footsteps echoing through the hallway. He had left behind a storm—one I knew I’d inevitably have to weather again. I was used to storms; I’d built myself on top of their wreckage.

But this was different.

The heat of his touch still lingered where he had grabbed my wrist, and I hated that it left a mark deeper than skin. I stood there for a moment, steadying my breath, not daring to show the lingering tremor in my fingers.

This was our dance—his fury, my indifference; his need for dominance, my refusal to bend. And despite everything, a dangerous thrill coiled in my stomach at his reaction.

But I couldn’t let it take root.

Turning away from the wall, I glanced back at my desk. The documents I had been reviewing with Rose lay scattered. Important plans, negotiations, the kind of paperwork that dictated power plays on a grander scale.

This was what mattered. Not the impulsive rage of a man trying to prove he had control. Not the games he wanted to play. But then again, it was all connected—the battle lines he drew would ripple through these halls, this city, everything we touched.

I walked over to my chair, sinking into it with deliberate calm. I needed to think, to strategize. There was no room for weakness, no space for distractions. If Orion thought he could manipulate me through rage and intimidation, he was sorely mistaken.

There was a light knock at the door, pulling me from my thoughts. Rose stepped in hesitantly, her eyes searching mine for any signs of vulnerability. She wouldn’t find any.

“Are you alright?” she asked softly.

I nodded, my expression carefully neutral. “Just another day.”

I leaned back in my chair, tapping my fingers lightly on the armrest, a smirk tugging at the corners of my lips.

Despite the chaos Orion tried to drag me into, last night had been the best night I’d had since he and Chloe had clawed their way back into my life. For once, I’d felt a semblance of peace—one I hadn’t tasted in far too long. It was the kind of night that left me refreshed, clear-headed, and ready to fight back.

Rose hovered by the desk, waiting for instructions.

“Did you call the hospital?” I asked, my tone softening slightly. “Is everything set for me to bring my sister home for Thanksgiving?”

“It’s been arranged,” Rose replied smoothly, a hint of warmth in her voice.

I nodded, a wave of relief washing over me. “And the security at the hospital? Have there been any visitors?”

Rose shook her head. “No one unexpected. The guards have been vigilant.”

“Good,” I said, exhaling slowly. My sister’s safety was non-negotiable. If anything happened to her, I’d burn the world down and make sure everyone responsible paid dearly.

Satisfied, I shifted gears, diving back into the day’s tasks. Rose and I discussed logistics and meetings, weaving through plans carefully. The rhythm was familiar, comforting in its own way.

Until it wasn’t.

My phone vibrated on the desk, the faint buzz cutting through our conversation. I picked it up absentmindedly, prepared to dismiss whatever trivial message had come through. But as my eyes scanned the screen, I felt the blood drain from my face.

One text. One line. Enough to freeze the air around me.