27.The Control Room973

The Phenix Tower loomed overhead, its sharp, polished angles cutting through the skyline like a blade.

Leah stepped into the private access corridor, the soft hiss of the security doors sealing behind her. The hum of comm traffic buzzed through the polished halls, a quiet symphony of encrypted transmissions and tactical whispers.

She didn't have to ask for directions. Ava was always at the heart of the action. So she just turn right and followed the noice.

But before she could reach the central wing, a figure stepped into her path—

James.

His tall frame blocked the corridor with effortless confidence, arms crossed, dark hair slightly tousled from too many hours at work. His sharp, amused gaze swept over her like he was already five steps ahead of the conversation.

James's lips curled into a smirk.

"Look who's back in the lion's den."

Leah arched a brow, her voice clipped but edged with humor.

"Didn't know you were on greeting duty."

James's voice, smooth, laced with dry charm:

"Not exactly. Just came from the docks."

Leah's gaze narrowed slightly. "Why? Thought you had people for that."

James's smirk sharpened, but something flickered behind his gaze—something purposeful.

"I do."

A pause.

"But Voss doesn't trust anyone's eyes more than his own. So... he's there. Double checking shipments himself."

Leah's expression tightened, a flicker of something sharp beneath her usual control.

"He's what?"

James's grin deepened, sensing the edge in her voice.

"Boss is hands-on. You should know that by now."

Leah's jaw tensed. "He doesn't need to be down there. That's a risk."

James tilted his head, too amused for his own good.

"And you care."

Leah's gaze snapped to his, cold and pointed.

"I care about people doing stupid things."

It wasn't a real answer but they both knew what this was really about.

James's chuckle was low, knowing.

"Sure you do."

Before she could fire back, another voice cut in, smooth and brimming with attitude—

"Are you two flirting, or did you actually come here to see me?"

Leah turned just as Ava strolled in, all effortless confidence and silk-clad arrogance.

Her amber eyes sparked with delight at the sight of Leah, but then—

She spotted the Victor's Reserve box in Leah's hand.

Her lips curved into something slow and wicked.

"Is that what I think it is?"

Leah held up the box, voice dry.

"Maybe. Depends on how nice you are to me."

But Ava was already there, fingers curling around the box, sliding it out of Leah's grip with the speed of a trained thief.

She popped the lid just enough to glimpse the gold-wrapped chocolates inside and let out a soft, satisfied sigh.

"You do love me."

Leah's tone was flat, but amused.

"I regret everything."

Ava grinned, then her eyes flicked to the second bundle in Leah's hand. The silk pajamas as per request.

Her lips parted in delight.

"Is that—"

Leah, already resigned: "Yes, it's for you."

She tossed the silk pajamas over, and Ava caught them with a soft laugh, immediately rubbing the fabric against her skin. Looking so much happier.

"Oh, you absolute gem." Ava turned, inspecting the deep jewel tones. "You even picked my color."

Leah's brow arched, dry and knowing.

"You're predictable."

Ava flashed a wicked grin.

"And you like it."

Leah rolled her eyes, but before she could reply—

Ava grabbed her wrist.

"Come with me. I have one last thing to show you."

Ava led her through a restricted corridor, past the primary command hub, through an unmarked door—

And then, Leah stopped dead.

The room was filled with screens, the walls lined with servers humming under soft light. Lines of code and data waved through.

And in the center—a pull-out bed.

Not just any bed.

Ava's bed.

Leah blinked twice, completely speechless for a full three seconds.

"Ava."

Ava grinned, smug as hell.

"Welcome to my kingdom."

Leah dragged a hand down her face. "You sleep in the control room?"

"Where else would I be?" Ava flopped onto the mattress, stretching her arms behind her head. "You think I'm gonna walk back to my apartment when I could just—" she waved at the screens, "monitor the entire tower from bed?"

Leah stared at her, torn between exasperation and grudging respect.

"I should be surprised. But I'm not."

Ava smirked. "You admire it, admit it."

Leah shook her head.

"I admire the audacity."

Then—

Ross's comm buzzed. A subtle vibration in his earpiece.

His relaxed posture shifted, sharp focus sliding into place.

He pressed a finger to his ear, voice low and clipped.

"Ross. Go ahead."

A response—too low for Leah to catch.

But Ross's expression sharpened, something tight and unreadable flickering through his eyes.

Then, his voice, steady and absolute:

"Understood."

The connection cut, and he turned to Leah.

"You're going to the docks."

Leah's gaze flashed with suspicion. "Why?"

Ross's lips pressed briefly, his voice dropping lower:

"Voss is there. He wants you—now."

Leah's mind raced, scanning through possibilities—security breach? Sabotage? A deal gone bad?

Ava, from the couch, sighed dramatically.

"Of course he's still at the docks. Does the man ever delegate? No. No, he does not."

Leah's hands curled into fists, her voice low and controlled.

"And no one thought to drag him out?"

James huffed a short laugh, shaking his head.

"You think anyone can drag Voss anywhere? Make him do anything?"

Leah gritted her teeth.

"Fine."

She turned on her heel, striding for the exit.

James, voice trailing after her—

"Try not to kill him before launch."

Ava, grinning, added—

"But if you do, call me first. Make sure I get a front-row seat."

Leah ignored them both, already dialing into her comms as the doors sealed shut behind her.

Whatever was happening at the docks—

She was about to find out.