Chapter 16

Vaughn’s point of view

I have never been one to pay attention to things or women. But with Orana, it’s hard; I notice even the tiniest things about her.

Like when fucking Callahan insinuated there was a reason behind his mistress trying to hit her. I saw the way her shoulders stiffened, the way her fingers tightened around the edge of the file, like it was the only thing holding her together. And her eyes… God, her eyes gave everything away. That crack that I should see.

He’d done it again.

Callahan fucking hurt her again.

Something sharp curled low in my chest, spreading fast, clawing up my throat. I stood there for a second too long, forcing myself not to move, not to make a scene, not yet. But the longer I looked at her, the harder it got to stay still.

Not anymore.

I turned toward her fully, closing the distance before I could think better of it. My hand lifted, instinct taking over, ready to cup her face, but she stepped back.

Like I’d burned her, and that fucking sting.

My jaw tightened, something bitter settling in my chest. Fine. If that’s what she needed, I’d take it. I wasn’t going anywhere.

She still respected me. I knew she did.

She stepped aside as Callahan took Marissa’s hand, leading her into the office, leaving me with Orana.

“That bad?” I asked quietly, keeping my voice even though everything inside me wasn’t.

She didn’t answer right away; instead, she just looked towards the door where Callahan disappeared into.

“Do you want to get out of here?” I pushed softer this time. “We can walk. Leave them to their mess.”

Her gaze flicked toward the office, toward him, then back to me. She shook her head.

“This deal is important.”

Of course it was. I should’ve left it there, but I didn’t.

“You’re more important to me.”

The words slipped out before I could stop them. She was important to me.

Her eyes widened, surprise flickering across her face, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe. Her lips parted, those soft, pouty lips. How many times have I imagined them? I had to drag my gaze back up before I did something reckless.

“I’ve worked hard to get here,” she said, her voice calm, but I could still hear the strain beneath it.

“It doesn’t matter,” I cut in, my tone rougher than I intended. “Not if it costs you this. Not if you have to deal with that there.”

Her cheeks flushed, that pink spreading across her skin, and in my chest, something twisted tight. She always did that, blushed like she couldn’t help it, and it wrecked me every damn time.

She smiled, but then she shook her head again. “I can get through it.”

“Orana,” I whispered, sucking in a breath.

“Please, Vaughn. You promised, remember?” She asked, her eyes lingering on me for too long.

I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to nod, even though every instinct in me screamed to pull her out of that room, to get her as far away from Callahan as possible and never let her within ten feet of him again.

But this wasn’t just about me. I made a promise years ago, which now I wish I hadn’t, and I hated it, but I followed her lead.

“Fine. But the next time that woman says something about you. I am leaving. Doesn’t matter how much we want this deal.”

She chuckled softly, her hand reaching my face, but she stopped herself. “Let’s get through this drama,” she said, then turned to walk into the office.

Every eye turned to us when we walked in. Callahan was glaring at me, but I pulled her chair, and she settled down. This time, I made sure her chair was closer to mine. I needed to feel her warmth; otherwise, I would lose my mind.

I didn’t hear half of what was said. My focus stayed locked on her, on the way she spoke, and how calm she acted, even though that asshole just hurt with his actions.

She was incredible, and it made me angrier that Callahan took advantage of that.

“Maybe someone competent should look at the figures again? I’m sorry, I just don’t agree with her.” Marissa’s voice cut through again, sharp and fucking unnecessary, laced with that same condescending edge I’d been biting back all morning.

That was it.

“Callahan,” I said, my voice low but carrying enough weight to slice through the room. “Keep her in check.”

I leaned forward slightly, my gaze hard. “I won’t let her disrespect Orana again.”

It should’ve sounded calm, but it came out as a low rumble.

Orana went still beside me, and I felt it without even looking at her. Felt the shift in the air, the way the room stilled, all of them turning to me.

Good. Let them.

“Marissa” Callahan whispered, his eyebrows furrowed.

“What? I was telling the truth. Is she even qualified for this?” She continued with that arrogance that pissed me off.

“Callahan, if she opens her mouth again and interrupts Orana…” I let the words hang while Marissa smiled, looking at Orana.

“Vaughn,” Orana whispered, her eyes on me. With that look that makes me forget everything and just fold to her. Fuck, I hate it.

I inhaled sharply, sitting back with a straight face

The rest of the meeting moved quickly after that. As it should’ve been from the start. We had two more meetings scheduled for the next two days.

Once we concluded, Orana took time to chat with Edward, Nad Nehemiah, and I kept my distance while waiting at the car. I have never waited for anything in my life, but for Orana, I was willing.

Edwards said something to her, and she snorted. Fuck. She sounded so good.

Nehemiah shook his head as he continued talking, and she kept laughing. I couldn’t help but smile; it was good for her to see her friend. He was the only one who made her laugh like that.

“Let’s meet later for drinks?” Edward suggested, but Nehemiah hit his shoulder, scolding him about being a working day tomorrow, and I was there, but Edward muttered something I couldn’t get, and I just heard Kelly gasp.

“Edward,” they all shook their heads. Orana said goodbye to them and then walked over to me, her steps hurried even in her heels.

“Hey, sorry I kept you waiting,” she apologized, sliding into the passenger seat.

“No worries.” I closed the door and then walked around to the driver’s seat. I got in and sat back.

“Thank you,” she said softly once we were inside.

I exhaled through my nose, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter. “Stop.”

She blinked. “What?”

“You don’t thank me for that.” I glanced at her, my expression hard, even if the reason behind it wasn’t. “You don’t thank me for doing what I’m supposed to do.”

Her lips parted again, but no words came out this time.

“Vaughn”

“If you’re really grateful,” I added, my voice dropping, something quieter slipping in, “have dinner with me tonight.”

Her breath caught just slightly, but I noticed.

I always noticed things about her. Things she thought she was hiding well enough.

She was about to say when my phone rang, the sharp sound cutting through the moment.

I frowned, pulling it out.

The name on the screen made my expression darken, my throat tightening. I swallowed the lump in my throat, just staring at it.

Bad timing always had a way of finding me.

I glanced at her once more before answering, already knowing this would ruin my day. “Give me a minute, yeah?” I asked, then stepped out of the car.

“Carla.”

“Hey, baby,” she said with that smoothness to her voice that I hated. I closed my eyes. Fuck. As if my day couldn’t get any worse.