Page 14 of Claws and Controllers

Adonis studied him for a long moment. “You’re not just protecting the company here, are you? This is about her.”

Zy’s tiger wanted to tear his best friend a new one. That alone made Zy extra cautious. Zy’s jaw clenched. “This is about doing what’s right. Ellie is talented and innovative. If she knowingly stole our tech, she needs to be held accountable. But if she’s an unwitting pawn in someone else’s game, she deserves a chance to explain.”

Before Adonis could respond, a familiar voice cut through the buzz of the convention.

“Zy? Do you have a moment?”

Zy turned to find Ellie herself standing there, a hesitant smile on her face. His heart did a traitorous little flip even as his mind raced with suspicion.

“Ellie,” he said, keeping his voice warm and neutral. “Of course. What can I do for you?”

She fidgeted slightly, a charming blush coloring her cheeks. “I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed our match earlier. You handled the game incredibly well, especially the tiger shifter. I was impressed.”

Zy allowed himself a small smile. “Thank you. Your game is truly remarkable. The level of detail in the character customization is outstanding.”

Ellie beamed at the compliment, and Zy felt a pang of guilt. How could someone who radiated such genuine passion and pride be a thief?

“Actually,” Ellie continued, “I was hoping to pick your brain about something. I’ve been having some trouble with the finer points of the shapeshifter mechanics, especially for the big cats like tigers. You seemed to navigate it so effortlessly. Any tips?”

Zy’s mind raced. Here was an opportunity handed to him on a silver platter. He could get closer, gain her trust, and maybe uncover the truth about how his code ended up in her game.

“I’d be happy to help,” he said, his smile growing more genuine. “I have some experience with similar AI systems. Perhaps we could set up a time to go over it in more detail?”

Ellie’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really? That would be amazing. I... I know we’re technically competitors, but I really appreciate your willingness to help.”

Zy waved off her concern. “In my experience, a rising tide lifts all boats. The gaming industry thrives on innovation and collaboration. Besides,” he added with a wink, “I’m always up for a challenge.”

Ellie laughed, the sound warm and infectious. “Well, in that case, I accept your offer. And... I wanted to apologize if I came across as rude before. I’ve just….”

“No apology necessary,” Zy assured her. “I understand completely. How about we start fresh?”

He extended his hand, and Ellie took it without hesitation. The moment their skin touched, Zy felt a jolt of electricity race up his arm. His tiger, which had been restless and agitated since he’d discovered the code issue, suddenly went very still.

“A fresh start sounds great,” Ellie said, her voice slightly breathless. She held on to his hand a moment longer than strictly necessary before pulling away. “I should get back to my booth, but... I’ll be in touch about that collaboration.”

Zy nodded, struggling to maintain his composure. “Absolutely. I’m looking forward to it.”

As Ellie walked away, Zy couldn’t help but watch her go. The sway of her hips, the confident set of her shoulders, the way her dark red hair caught the light... she was captivating in every sense of the word.

“You’re playing a dangerous game, Zy,” Adonis’s low voice broke through his thoughts.

Zy turned to his friend, his expression resolute. “I know. But it’s necessary. We need to know the truth, and this is the best way to get it.”

Adonis sighed heavily. “Just... be careful. Don’t let your heart overrule your head. Remember what’s at stake here.”

Zy nodded, his gaze drifting back to where Ellie had disappeared into the crowd. “I know exactly what’s at stake,” he murmured. “More than you realize.”

As the convention continued to buzz around them, Zy felt the weight of his decision settling on his shoulders. He was walking a tightrope between protecting his company and following his instincts about Ellie. One wrong move could send everything crashing down.

But as he remembered the spark in Ellie’s eyes, the passion in her voice when she talked about her game, Zy knew he had to see this through. There was more to this story, more to Ellie, and he was determined to uncover the truth - no matter the cost.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of demonstrations, meetings, and networking. But through it all, Zy’s mind kept circling back to Ellie and the mystery surrounding her game. He found himself watching her from afar, noting the way she interacted with fans and industry professionals alike. Her enthusiasm was infectious and her knowledge impressive. It made the idea of her knowingly using stolen code even harder to swallow.

As the convention wound down for the day, Zy retreated to a quiet corner of the Ashford Entertainment booth. He pulled out his tablet, fingers flying over the screen as he pulled up the notes he’d made about the code similarities.

“Still obsessing?” Adonis’s voice broke through his concentration.

Zy looked up, a wry smile on his face. “Just being thorough. We can’t afford to miss anything.”

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