le when Ethan finally ca

ive of the morning's

Izzy. She helped me when I

one he used when he wanted t

side his office via a discreetly

o manage Izzy,

t

ting to possessive affection. "You know how I g

Ethan replied, the words soundin

olumns, from the subtle cues she'd observed,

alliances and societal

was absolute, bord

r greates

would ex

sted on meeting

Tech, all smiles an

d Ava's desk, he

, a fresh wav

nds from the phone cal

Ava in the suite. To

le. The towel. I

take a shower," Av

was still in yesterday's clothes,

snagged in

office after a b

again at

yping diligently, the pic

aid no

e for a moment, rad

she sw

reath she hadn't rea

ade was

like a dog

't let thi

ld, precise. Izzy's suspicion

r, Ethan buzzed Av

ion carefully neutral, p

. R

is monitor, a sligh

for this morning. And

It's quite alright, Mr. Reed. I unde

oice soft, a l

ly. I'm sorry if I caused any trou

lifted them to his, were

, though his tone was still clipp

g can be...

pe... I hope this won't affec

arefully calibrated anx

it means ever

icult to say, "After my brother... well, I've bee

kstory, delivered for ma

p pang, but she push

on softened almo

't entirely immune to a damsel in distress, es

re, Ava. You're a

of si

a said, relief flooding h

turning back to his s

her heart a ste

oor, he spoke again,

d six. If you're working late,

r this time. It w

all

enuine, almost invisible s

o see her. Not ju

o