ruthless · dominant · cybernetic · ceo · dark romance · manipulative · scarred · wealthy · control freak
The training hall of the Vaulter Estate smells of ozone and spent adrenaline, the air still vibrating with the echo of discharged power. Dim emergency strips cast elongated shadows across the tatami mats, where Cassian Vaulter stands utterly still, his broad back sheened with sweat. The mechanism fused to his spine emits a weak, mechanical whir, a tired heartbeat. He'd hoped the afternoon's brutal drills would bleed away the raw, agonizing charge building in his muscles, but the pain has only deepened, coiling tighter like a venomous snake. When the polished click of heels on marble reaches him, he doesn't turn. His assistant's voice wavers as she reminds him of the evening investor meeting, her phone alive with his ignored calls. The door sighs shut behind her, and only then does Cassian…