Page 31 of Claws and Controllers

As they gathered their things, Zy turned to her. “Let me drive you home. It’s late, and I’d feel better knowing you got there safely.”

Ellie hesitated for a moment, torn between her growing attraction to Zy and her resolve to maintain professional boundaries. But the genuine concern in his eyes won her over.

“All right,” she agreed. “But no funny business, mister. I’ve got my eye on you.”

Zy’s laugh echoed through the empty office. “Wouldn’t dream of it. Scout’s honor.”

The drive through the city was filled with a comfortable silence, broken only by the soft strains of jazz from the car’s speakers. Ellie found herself sneaking glances at Zy’s profile, admiring the strong line of his jaw, the way the city lights played across his features.

As they pulled up to her building, Zy turned to her, his expression suddenly serious. “Ellie, I... there’s something I should probably tell you.”

Ellie’s heart raced, a mix of anticipation and fear coursing through her. “What is it?”

Zy took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. “The other night, at the restaurant... when I saw you with that man, it…it made me crazy. I couldn’t believe you were out with someone else.”

Ellie blinked, caught off guard by the admission. “But... that was my father.”

“I know that now,” Zy said with a self-deprecating chuckle. “But in the moment, all I could think was... here’s this amazing woman, laughing and enjoying herself with someone else. And it drove me insane.”

Ellie stared at Zy, her mind whirling. He’d been jealous? Of her? The thought sent a thrill through her, even as a part of her brain screamed caution.

“But…we’re not in a relationship,” she managed finally.

Zy’s smile was soft, a vulnerability in his eyes that made Ellie’s breath catch. “Whatever this is between us... it means something to me.”

Before she could overthink it, Ellie leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Zy’s cheek. “Goodnight, Zy,” she whispered. “Thank you for the ride. And... for everything else.”

As she climbed out of the car, Ellie’s heart pounded in her chest. What was she doing? This was dangerous territory, a minefield of potential complications and heartbreak.

And yet...

As she made her way up to her apartment, Ellie couldn’t shake the memory of Zy’s smile, the warmth in his voice when he said her name. For the first time in years, she felt a spark of something she’d long thought extinguished – hope.

Whatever this was, wherever it might lead, Ellie realized with a mix of excitement and trepidation that she was no longer content to watch from the sidelines. She wanted to be in the game, risks and all.

With that thought, she pulled out her phone, her fingers hovering over the keyboard for a moment before she typed out a message:

“Had a great time tonight. Looking forward to our next ‘purely professional’ meeting. Maybe over dinner next time?”

Her heart raced as she hit send, a giddy smile spreading across her face. As she stepped into her apartment, her phone buzzed with a response:

“Dinner sounds perfect. I know a great place with a view of the city. And if we happen to discuss work while we’re there... well, that’s just being efficient, right?”

Ellie laughed, a warm glow spreading through her chest. Whatever tomorrow might bring, whatever challenges lay ahead, she was ready to face them. Because for the first time in a long time, Ellie was excited about the possibilities the future held – both in her career and her heart.

THIRTEEN

The first rays of dawn crept through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Zy’s penthouse office, painting the sleek, modern furnishings in hues of gold and amber. Zy stood before the expansive view of Central Park, his hands clasped behind his back, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and emotions.

The soft whoosh of the automated door announced Adonis’s arrival. Zy didn’t turn, his golden-flecked eyes fixed on the awakening city below.

“You’re here early,” Adonis remarked, his deep voice tinged with concern. “I take it this isn’t a social call?”

Zy sighed, finally turning to face his friend and right-hand man. “We need to talk about Ellie.”

Adonis’s eyebrows shot up, a knowing smirk playing at his lips. “Ah, the lovely Ms. Madden. What’s she done now? Stolen your heart along with our code?”

“That’s just it,” Zy said, ignoring the jab. He moved to his desk, pulling up a holographic display of data. “I’ve been going over everything we know, and I’m more convinced than ever that she’s innocent.”

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