Lone Wolf Tech buzzed at noon—then shouts broke through. Leo and Mia, the office's favorite couple—sweet, always tight—were splitting. Leo stormed past, face red. "We're done!" he yelled. Mia sat at her desk, crying, papers scattered. Ava frowned—then saw Ethan step out, his dark hair sleek, green eyes bright, dressed in a black jacket, black shirt, and black pants—looking sharp. He grinned wide, proud.
"What's up?" Ava asked Riley, voice low.
Riley leaned in. "Ethan—sent Mia a fake text from Leo, breaking them up. Thinks it's a laugh."
Ava's stomach churned. *He loves this?* Ethan leaned on a desk, chuckling with someone, thrilled he'd wrecked them. Hatred flared in her—not just a flirt, a jerk who toyed with feelings. Tara, Claire, now Leo and Mia—he smashed love for fun.
She stood, went to Mia. "Hey, calm down—what happened?"
Mia sobbed. "Leo thinks I cheated—a text. I didn't!"
Ava glared at Ethan—he smirked back. She turned to Mia. "It's fake—Ethan did it. Let's fix it." She started toward Leo.
Ethan cut her off—grabbed her arm, pulled her to his cabin. "Come here," he said, flirty, shutting the door.
Ava yanked free, furious. "Hands off!" she snapped, staying to shout. "You're awful! Playing Tara and Claire at once—now Leo and Mia? You're trash!"
Ethan laughed, cold. "Girls and boys are made for sex—Tara's boring, Claire's needy. That's all." Sophie flashed in his mind—March 2021, highway rain, her blood, his deal with a stranger to save her, claws by dawn. She'd left in 2022, calling him "not human"—love's scam stayed silent in his head.
Ava's anger boiled over. "You're sick! Breaking people for fun—it's disgusting!"
He stepped close, voice sharp. "Don't act so pure! You're like everyone—wanting a man, like a prostitute chasing flesh." He grabbed her hand, pulled her near, eyes glinting. "Don't you want it?"
Ava's gut twisted—rage and hurt mixed. She swung—her hand cracked his face hard, leaving a red mark. "You're nothing," she spat, eyes wet, and stormed out, door slamming.
Ethan touched his cheek, stinging—anger sparked, small but real. He glared after her, hate flickering. She hits me? Ava's fire had drawn him, but now it stung wrong. No feelings—just a game gone sour.
Ava stumbled back to her seat, her face twisted in pain—anyone could see she hurt. Her dark hair fell messy, freckles dark on her pale skin. Ethan's words—prostitute, chasing flesh—cut deep, like a knife stuck in her chest. Hatred burned hotter—he wasn't just a flirt or player, he was poison.Riley looked up, worried. "Ava—what's wrong? You look bad."Ava shook her head, lips tight. "Nothing," she mumbled, sitting hard. She couldn't say it—Ethan's trash talk choked her. Her hands shook—anger, hurt, all mixed up.
In his cabin, Ethan rubbed his cheek, red from Ava's slap. The door creaked—Marcus walked in, scruffy and grinning. "What's with your face, man? Looks like a fight."Ethan's green eyes flashed hate. "Ava—stupid girl hit me. Yelled at me for Tara, Claire, breaking Leo and Mia. Acted all high and mighty—slapped me and ran."Marcus raised a brow. "Whoa—calm down, dude. She's mad, huh?"Ethan smirked, mean. "She's just my employee—I'm her boss. I'll show her my power." His voice turned cold, vengeful. "Mark my words, Marcus—she'll serve me soon. Body and all—not far off."Marcus frowned. "Hey, chill—it's not that big. Let it go."Ethan laughed, dark. "No way—that silly idiot girl? I'll handle her tomorrow. Tonight, Claire's waiting—I'm gonna enjoy." He leaned forward, green eyes sharp under his black jacket, black shirt, and black pants—still looking sharp. "Marcus, do one thing—book the most expensive hotel room tonight."Marcus nodded, pulling his phone. "Got it—top spot for you and Claire. You're wild, man."Ethan grinned, leaning back. Ava's slap stung, but Claire's night loomed
To be continued...
To be continued...
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