Page 33 of Claws and Controllers

Before Zy could formulate a suitably cutting response, a commotion near Ellie’s group drew his attention. A man he didn’t recognize had approached, his body language aggressive, his voice rising above the general murmur of conversation.

“Well, well,” the man sneered, loud enough for those nearby to hear. “If it isn’t Elliot Madden, gaming’s latest ‘it girl.’ Tell me,sweetheart, whose dick did you have to suck to get your game so much attention?”

Zy’s blood ran cold, his tiger snarling in rage. He started forward, but Adonis’s hand on his arm held him back. “Wait,” his friend murmured. “Let’s see how she handles it.”

Ellie’s spine stiffened, but her voice remained calm and level. “Grant. I see divorce hasn’t improved your manners. Or your vocabulary.”

The man – Grant, Ellie’s ex-husband, Zy realized with a jolt – laughed bitterly. “Oh, come on, Ellie. We both know you’re not capable of creating something like Infinite Odyssey on your own. So what is it? Are you sleeping with one of the big boys now? Ashford, maybe?”

Ellie’s eyes flashed with anger, but she kept her composure. “I’m proud of my work, Grant. Unlike some people, I don’t need to resort to theft or manipulation to succeed.”

“No?” Grant sneered. “That’s rich, coming from the ice queen herself. Face it, Ellie. You’re nothing but a frigid, boring?—”

That was all Zy heard before the roaring in his ears drowned out everything else. He moved without conscious thought, crossing the room in long strides. His fist connected with Grant’s jaw with a satisfying crunch, sending the smaller man stumbling backward.

“I believe the lady asked you to leave,” Zy growled, his voice low and dangerous. He turned to the nearest security guard, who had rushed over at the commotion. “Please escort this... gentleman out. He’s no longer welcome here.”

As Grant was led away, still shouting obscenities, Zy turned to Ellie. Her face was pale, her eyes wide with shock. “Are you all right?” he asked softly, resisting the urge to pull her into his arms.

Ellie nodded, though her smile was shaky. “I’m fine. Thank you, Zy. You didn’t have to do that.”

“Yes, I did,” Zy said firmly. He glanced around, noting the curious stares of the other guests. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

Ellie hesitated for a moment, then nodded. As they made their way out of the ballroom, Zy caught Adonis’s eye across the room. His friend’s expression was a mixture of concern and resignation. They’d have to deal with the fallout from this later, but right now, all that mattered was Ellie.

The drive to Ellie’s apartment was quiet, the silence broken only by the soft purr of the car’s engine and the occasional sniffle from Ellie. Zy’s hands clenched the steering wheel, his knuckles white with the effort of restraining his anger. Not at Ellie, never at her, but at the world that had hurt her, at the man who had tried to diminish her brilliance.

As they pulled up to her building, Zy finally broke the silence. “He’s wrong, you know. About all of it.”

Ellie turned to him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “Is he? Sometimes I wonder if?—”

“No,” Zy cut her off, his voice firm but gentle. “You’re beautiful, brilliant and funny. Your work speaks for itself. Grant is just a small, bitter man trying to tear you down because he can’t stand to see you succeed.”

A tear escaped, rolling down Ellie’s cheek. Without thinking, Zy reached out, brushing it away with his thumb. The contact sent a spark of electricity through him, and he saw Ellie’s eyes widen in response.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

He followed her to her door. “Do you want some coffee?”

He knew better. He should leave. But how could he leave her when she clearly needed his company? “Coffee sounds good.”

She smiled and he followed her inside. Zy was greeted by a stunning and spacious living area that reflected her varied interests. The loft was designed with modern aesthetics,featuring high ceilings and large windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline.

The main living space was a sleek blend of technology and comfort. There was a massive, ultra-high-definition television mounted on the wall, surrounded by the latest gaming consoles and VR equipment. Adjacent to this setup, there was a high-end computer rig with multiple monitors much like his own in his home office.

The decor had a chic, minimalist feel but he was surprised by the vibrant pops of color and collectibles. Shelves and display cases were artfully arranged with an impressive collection of anime figurines and limited-edition merchandise. Framed posters of iconic anime characters and artwork from popular games added a personal touch to the walls. A special massive frame of Infinite Odyssey took up most of a brick wall.

“Do you mind starting a fire?” she asked him. “I’ll make the coffee.”

He lit a fire and watched her as she stood in front of an espresso machine, staring at it while the coffee brewed. He marched up to her and squeezed her shoulders. He didn’t expect her to lean back into his body. Then she turned around, her eyes full of sadness.

“Ellie…”

She glanced at his mouth and lifted a hand to his neck, her hand tentative as it moved into his hair.

“You have the most beautiful eyes,” she said so low it was as if she were talking to herself.

They stood there for a moment, the air between them charged with unspoken emotions. Then, slowly, giving her plenty of time to pull away, Zy leaned in.

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