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24. Total Trust
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Saving Ava 25. Pacing The Floor
Peyton's steps were restless as he paced the floor near the bedroom door, his mind a storm of conflicting thoughts and emotions. The muffled sounds of movement behind the door did little to ease his anxiety. The night had been an emotional roller-coaster. Now he was left to his own devices, trapped in his thoughts and memories.He knew Carver, understood him in a way that no one else in the world did. He had seen the darkness that lurked beneath the surface. The need for control that sometimes manifested itself in ways that were cold and harsh. Carver's need for dominance could be overwhelming for everyone near, even terrifying. It was this aspect of his personality that Peyton knew all to well.A shudder passed through Peyton, dragging him unwillingly into the dark recesses of his mind. The place where a memory he'd been trying to escape lay in wait. The room was dimly lit, shadows casting eerie patterns on the walls, and a chill permeated the space, sinking into his very bones. It w
Saving Ava 26. Old Rules
The gentle morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the intertwined bodies of Carver and Ava. They lay wrapped in each other's arms, cocooned in a world that seemed to have shifted on its axis. There was a tranquility, a profound contentment that settled over them as they woke to the new day. A connection had been forged, one that transcended their previous roles and expectations, and they both sensed that something profound had altered between them.Stirring from the bed, they shared a tender smile, communicating volumes without words. The connection that had blossomed overnight felt like a revelation, a secret understanding that had dawned in the most intimate of moments. It had washed away uncertainties and fears, replacing them with a newfound trust and tenderness.Together they made their way to the bathroom, still wrapped in the aura of intimacy that had enveloped them. As they filled the tub, the scent of fragrant oils mingled with the rising steam, t
Saving Ava 27. What Are The Rules Here?
The warmth of the bathwater had slowly ebbed away as Carver and Ava stepped out of the tub, a tangible symbol of their newfound intimacy. Each droplet that slid down their bodies seemed to wash away remnants of the past, leaving them both feeling cleansed and invigorated.They dressed in comfortable silence, their eyes meeting now and then in unspoken understanding. The world outside was calling them back, but in these precious moments, it felt like nothing else mattered. It was a connection that went beyond words, a connection forged in vulnerability and trust.As they walked out of the bedroom together, the delicious smells of breakfast wafted toward them, surprising them both. Peyton stood at the stove, flipping pancakes with a mischievous grin on his face."You two lovebirds might be late for work, but I figured you'd appreciate a proper breakfast," he said, his eyes twinkling.Carver feigned annoyance, although his smile betrayed him. "Peyton, you know we can't be late."Peyton t
Saving Ava 28. Seeing. Security Systems.
Ava's arrived at the top floor to a scene of intense discord. The large conference table at the center of the room was covered in papers, models, and samples, reflecting the size of the ongoing debate. Peyton's sharp words could be heard from the hallway, his voice raised in frustration over some unresolved issue. As Ava entered, she found Peyton and Carver engaged in a fervent discussion over the new high rise being built uptown. Their faces were tight with concern, their expressions serious. Carver's eyes were narrowed, and his brows furrowed as he leaned over a sheet displaying the costs associated with adding in new security systems in each unit. "What do you mean, 'cost overruns'? We have to make sure this system is flawless!" Peyton's voice was full of anger, his body rigid with tension. "We can't cut corners on security. People will pay for good security." Carver's face turned a shade paler as he mentioned the price of installing his particular system. "I know, Peyton, but w
Saving Ava 29. You're Shaking
Carver's mind was a storm of chaos, a whirlpool of flashing images and visceral emotions. Shadows twisted and merged, forming figures that haunted his past. Faces were contorted with pain and betrayal, and the sounds of screams dominated his senses.. A nightmarish landscape of memories and distorted thoughts pulled him deeper into a place he'd fought so hard to escape. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat a thunderous echo reverberating through the dark abyss of his subconscious. His hands reached out, grasping for something solid, anything solid. Something real, but all that met his touch were the slippery tendrils that made up his deepest fears. He jolted awake by a sudden sensation of falling into nothingness. His mind raced, trying to make some sense, any sense of what had just happened. It had been years since those dreams had haunted his sleep. Years since he'd allowed himself to lose control to such a degree. He knew that vulnerability had triggered it, that fleeting mo
Saving Ava 30. Show Me
The evening air hung heavy with tension as Carver unlocked the front door of their shared penthouse. The atmosphere inside their home mirrored that outside. Filled with an unspoken tension. Ava trailed behind him, her usual lively energy clearly muted. As Carver set the keys on the entryway table, he couldn't shake off the sensation that something was off.Dinner was supposed to be a fun casual affair. Peyton had joined them, enthusiastic about sampling Carver's culinary attempts. They sat down, a trinity at the dining table, their reflections mirrored in polished silverware and crystal glasses.Peyton attempted to lighten the mood with lively tales from the week, but even his animated recounting couldn’t cut through the thick air. Carver shot Ava another side glance, catching how she poked around her food without any real interest.Finally, Ava spoke up, a slight tremor in her voice. "Something happened at work today," she said. "Lana sent me on an errand to the basement."Peyton’s e
Saving Ava 31. HR
The neon digits of the clock blinked a weary 8:57 a.m. as Ava settled into her office chair. Morning light streamed through the blinds, laying stripes of shadow across her desk. The workday beckoned, a labyrinth of projects, meetings, and looming deadlines. But the overarching dread that loomed largest was Lana. The emotional residue from the night before still clung to Ava's psyche. Now armed with the knowledge of Lana’s past aspirations, to be a sub under Carver, no less, Ava felt like a soldier who'd glimpsed the enemy's battle plans. The realization sat in her gut, cold and weighty. Lana strode onto the marketing floor, her heels announcing her presence before she even rounded the corner. Her smile was a touch too rehearsed, her voice pitched in a frequency Ava now identified as calculated sweetness. "Ava, may I introduce you to Morgana? She's the head of HR," Lana said, gesturing to a woman standing beside her. Morgana had an air of distinct professionalism, but something in h
Saving Ava 32. Look At Me
The sun was sinking in the sky, casting long shadows across the road as Carver eased his sleek black car into traffic. Ava sat in the passenger seat, her eyes tracing the cityscape that blurred past the window. The radio played low, its melodies barely punctuating the silence that had settled between them. Carver glanced at Ava. Her eyes were unfocused, as if she were a million miles away. He could feel it, the tension in her shoulders, the way her lips pressed together in a hard line, unspoken words, unease. Her energy was a palpable thing, swirling in the space between them. Finally, she broke the silence. "Do you usually hire your subs?" Ava asked, her voice imbued with an almost acerbic curiosity. Carver's fingers tightened momentarily around the steering wheel. "She was already working in her current position when she applied," he said carefully. It was a fact, but it felt like an evasion. Her question hinted at something deeper, a suspicion, an accusation, something yet undefi
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