Mine to Protect

Orion’s POV

“Take me to the office.” My voice was sharp, cutting through the silence of the car like a blade. The driver glanced at me through the rearview mirror and nodded, pulling away from the curb.

I leaned back, resting my elbow against the window, fingers brushing my jaw. Last night played on repeat in my head, refusing to quiet down. I had lost it. Completely.

Mason.

The thought of his name alone sent a slow burn through my veins. If that bastard even thought of taking another step toward Ava—of breathing the same air as her—I’d make sure he learned a lesson he’d never forget. No one touched what was mine.

Ava.

My chest tightened, softening the sharp edge of my anger. How had it come to this? How had I fallen so damn hard for her? It was beyond logic, beyond anything I could explain.

Her smile—when she actually allowed herself to let her guard down—lit up every dark corner of me. Her fire when she snapped back at me, the way she challenged me instead of cowering, only pulled me closer. And last night, when I saw Mason with his hands too close to her, something inside me snapped. I couldn’t stand the thought of anyone else near her, looking at her like I did.

And God help anyone who tried.

The car slowed as the company’s towering structure came into view. My face hardened, the softness Ava brought out disappearing behind steel. I had business to handle.

I stepped out of the car, my shoes hitting the ground with purpose. The air shifted as I entered the building, a current of nervous energy spreading like wildfire through my employees. People straightened papers, fingers flew across keyboards, and hushed whispers faded into silence as I walked through the lobby.

“Mr. Miller,” the receptionist said as I passed her desk, holding out a few messages. I barely glanced at them, taking the papers without breaking my stride.

“Call Peter and Colin to my office,” I ordered coolly, my tone leaving no room for argument.

“Yes, sir.”

The elevator ride was quiet, save for the hum of the machine pulling me upward. My reflection stared back at me in the mirrored doors—a man with a plan, a man on the edge of controlled fury.

By the time I reached my office, I was ready. I dropped the messages onto my desk, the papers scattering across the mahogany surface. Moments later, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

Peter stepped inside, his usual smug confidence faltering when he saw me. Colin hovered behind him.

“Colin, wait outside,” I said curtly. Colin nodded and shut the door as he left, leaving me and Peter alone.

Peter shifted uneasily under my stare. I let the silence drag, savoring the way it unsettled him. Finally, I spoke, my voice low and deadly calm.

“Sit.”

Peter obeyed, dropping into the chair opposite me. I leaned forward, resting my forearms on the desk. My eyes never left his.

“I’m going to ask you a question, and I expect the truth.” My tone was ice, and Peter swallowed hard. “What’s your history with my wife?”

His eyes widened briefly before he quickly masked it, attempting to look innocent. “Orion, I—”

“Don’t lie to me,” I cut him off, my voice sharp. “Don’t you dare feed me that bullshit about Ava being the class slut. We both know that’s a damn lie, so save your breath and start talking. What. Happened?”

The blood drained from Peter’s face as he stared at me, the weight of my fury pinning him in place. “We were kids…” he started, voice trembling. “Stupid kids messing around. Some of us bullied Ava. I—I tried to stop it sometimes, but it was…”

He trailed off as my expression darkened. My fists tightened against the desk, every muscle in my body coiling like a predator ready to strike.

“You bullied her?” I said softly, dangerously. Peter’s lips parted, fumbling for an answer, but I was already on my feet. I stormed around the desk, grabbing him by the collar before he could react.

“Is that what you did, Peter?” I snarled, slamming him back against the wall. The impact made the room shudder. “You humiliated her? Made her feel worthless? And you think you can look her in the eye now?”

“Orion—please—I—”

I tightened my grip, my forearm pressing against his throat. “You listen to me,” I growled, my voice low and venomous. “If you so much as breathe in Ava’s direction again—if you even think about being near her—I will destroy you. Do you hear me?”

Peter’s face flushed, his hands clawing at my arm. “I’m sorry—I swear!”

“Sorry won’t save you.” My voice was a promise of violence. “One step. One look. That’s all it’ll take, and I will make you regret the day you were born.”

I released him, flinging him to the floor like the pathetic waste of space he was. He coughed, gasping for breath as I turned to the door. “Colin!”

The door opened instantly, and Colin stepped in. I pointed to Peter without sparing him a glance. “Relieve him of his duties.”

Peter scrambled to his knees, his voice breaking. “No—please, Orion—I can’t lose this job. I have bills to pay. I—”

I turned back, my cold gaze cutting through him. “Is that so?” I paused, a cruel edge to my tone. “Will you do anything to keep this job?”

“Yes!” Peter crawled toward me, grabbing at my shoes. “Anything—please!”

I stared down at him, disgust twisting my features. “Fine.” I straightened. “You’ll take on a new role. Maintenance. You’ll scrub floors, clean bathrooms, and answer to every staff member here. Step out of line once, and you’re done.”

Peter’s face crumbled in humiliation, but he nodded vigorously. “Thank you—thank you!”

I sneered, stepping around him. “Colin, get his access card and start reporting directly to me. And be ready in an hour—we have a meeting.”

Colin nodded sharply, already pulling Peter to his feet. I didn’t look back.

—

An hour later, Colin and I stepped out of the car at the meeting venue. I adjusted my shirt and ran a hand through my hair, my mind still restless.

As I glanced across the parking lot, movement caught my eye. A woman slipped into a black car with a man, her profile visible just long enough for my breath to catch.

Ava? With Mason Brown?

I blinked, my pulse quickening.

“Ava…” I muttered, the word slipping from my lips. The car sped off, leaving me standing there, watching.

I think it’s about time I put an end to this. I turned to Colin sharply, my voice cold. “Call Theo,”