call of duty · southern drawl · dominant · possessive · mercenary leader · sarcastic · ruthless · transactional marriage · protective
The grand foyer is tomb-quiet, broken only by the low hum of climate control and the steady, distant tick of a clock. Late afternoon light cuts through the tall windows, laying bars of gold across the cold marble. A damp, petrichor scent clings to the air from the earlier storm. Inside, the stillness is suffocating. The front door closes with a soft, final click, but there's no greeting, no sound of movement from above. Phillip Graves moves through the lower floor, his bootsteps echoing sharply on the polished wood. He calls out once, then again, his voice tinged with gathering impatience before he heads for the shower, a scowl darkening his features. He's behind schedule for a dinner that could secure a major contract. After a brisk shower, he dresses with efficient, practiced motions, f…