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20. Discovery
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Saving Ava 21. Gone
Ava's disappearance left a silence in the penthouse, a void that seemed to grow with each passing second. She'd told Peyton she was going to the roof to work, and at first, nobody questioned it. Five, six hours passed, but she was nowhere to be found.Carver's initial worry turned into a gnawing panic. Something was wrong. Deep in his gut, he felt it. He knew Ava. He was beginning to know her in ways he hadn't expected. In ways that confused and excited him. She was different, not like the others. Not like his former submissives. There was something in her eyes, something in her smile that tugged at his heart. Something that scared him.He couldn't shake the feeling that something had happened, something terrible. His breath came in short, sharp bursts as he pulled up the surveillance videos, his hands shaking as he traced her movements through the penthouse the night before.He watched her in the office, her face pale, her hands shaking as she looked at the files. He watched her pack
Saving Ava 22. Understanding
Ava's heart was still pounding as she stumbled through the unfamiliar streets of New York, clutching her bag tightly. Her mind was a whirlwind, the shocking images she had discovered in Carver's office replaying in her mind's eye over and over. She needed answers, and there was only one person she could think of who might provide them. Her fingers trembled as she dialed Arry's number.Arry answered on the third ring, her voice tinged with concern. "Ava? Is everything all right?""I need to see you," Ava blurted, tears welling in her eyes. "Can I come over?"Arry had been kind enough to take her in when she'd shown up at her door, disheveled and tearful.Arry settled into her favorite armchair, her eyes focused on Ava's distraught face. The soft glow of the lamp illuminated her kind and wise features as she patiently waited for Ava to speak.Ava's hands were shaking, and she clenched them tightly, trying to gather her thoughts. Finally, she began, her voice breaking with emotion."Arry
Saving Ava 23. Falling
Ava's heart pounded in her chest as the door to the penthouse closed behind her. The elegant space, which once felt like a realm of luxury and intrigue, now seemed to close in on her, tainted with secrets and half-truths. Carver stood at a distance, his usually dominant and controlled demeanor replaced by a silence that felt oddly vacant. Peyton's eyes, filled with concern, met hers as he guided her to sit.The three of them settled into an uncomfortable triangle, a trinity of tension and confusion. Carver's eyes were distant, his jaw set tightly as if holding back a storm of emotion. Ava's glance shifted between the two men, her mind reeling from the whirlwind of events.Peyton cleared his throat and began to explain, his voice gentle but firm. "Ava, what you saw in those files, those images, it's all part of something we call 'total control'. It's a dynamic, a relationship built on trust, consent, and understanding.""You tie women up and photograph them? What's the purpose of those
Saving Ava 24. Total Trust
In the dimly lit intimacy of Carver's bedroom, the world was reduced to the space between Ava and him. She drew him toward the bed, her lips locked onto his, a kiss filled with the kind of fervor that bridged the chasm between fear and desire. Her fingers danced along the buttons of his shirt, quickly unfastening them, while her other hand shrugged off her coat, her eyes never wavering from his. All the while, their lips continued to explore, each kiss a step deeper into uncharted territory.Carver's heart pounded in his chest, and his mind a raging storm. For all his usual control, he was now in a place he had never been before. He could feel the pressure building, the acute awareness that this was a precipice from which there was no turning back. His thoughts raced with conflicting emotions. Desire tangled with anxiety, longing marred by the fear of failure.He knew he wanted Ava, more than he had ever wanted anything. But his past, the intricate web of his desires that had defined
Saving Ava 25. Pacing The Floor
Peyton's steps were restless as he paced the floor near the bedroom door, his mind a storm of conflicting thoughts and emotions. The muffled sounds of movement behind the door did little to ease his anxiety. The night had been an emotional roller-coaster. Now he was left to his own devices, trapped in his thoughts and memories.He knew Carver, understood him in a way that no one else in the world did. He had seen the darkness that lurked beneath the surface. The need for control that sometimes manifested itself in ways that were cold and harsh. Carver's need for dominance could be overwhelming for everyone near, even terrifying. It was this aspect of his personality that Peyton knew all to well.A shudder passed through Peyton, dragging him unwillingly into the dark recesses of his mind. The place where a memory he'd been trying to escape lay in wait. The room was dimly lit, shadows casting eerie patterns on the walls, and a chill permeated the space, sinking into his very bones. It w
Saving Ava 26. Old Rules
The gentle morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the intertwined bodies of Carver and Ava. They lay wrapped in each other's arms, cocooned in a world that seemed to have shifted on its axis. There was a tranquility, a profound contentment that settled over them as they woke to the new day. A connection had been forged, one that transcended their previous roles and expectations, and they both sensed that something profound had altered between them.Stirring from the bed, they shared a tender smile, communicating volumes without words. The connection that had blossomed overnight felt like a revelation, a secret understanding that had dawned in the most intimate of moments. It had washed away uncertainties and fears, replacing them with a newfound trust and tenderness.Together they made their way to the bathroom, still wrapped in the aura of intimacy that had enveloped them. As they filled the tub, the scent of fragrant oils mingled with the rising steam, t
Saving Ava 27. What Are The Rules Here?
The warmth of the bathwater had slowly ebbed away as Carver and Ava stepped out of the tub, a tangible symbol of their newfound intimacy. Each droplet that slid down their bodies seemed to wash away remnants of the past, leaving them both feeling cleansed and invigorated.They dressed in comfortable silence, their eyes meeting now and then in unspoken understanding. The world outside was calling them back, but in these precious moments, it felt like nothing else mattered. It was a connection that went beyond words, a connection forged in vulnerability and trust.As they walked out of the bedroom together, the delicious smells of breakfast wafted toward them, surprising them both. Peyton stood at the stove, flipping pancakes with a mischievous grin on his face."You two lovebirds might be late for work, but I figured you'd appreciate a proper breakfast," he said, his eyes twinkling.Carver feigned annoyance, although his smile betrayed him. "Peyton, you know we can't be late."Peyton t
Saving Ava 28. Seeing. Security Systems.
Ava's arrived at the top floor to a scene of intense discord. The large conference table at the center of the room was covered in papers, models, and samples, reflecting the size of the ongoing debate. Peyton's sharp words could be heard from the hallway, his voice raised in frustration over some unresolved issue. As Ava entered, she found Peyton and Carver engaged in a fervent discussion over the new high rise being built uptown. Their faces were tight with concern, their expressions serious. Carver's eyes were narrowed, and his brows furrowed as he leaned over a sheet displaying the costs associated with adding in new security systems in each unit. "What do you mean, 'cost overruns'? We have to make sure this system is flawless!" Peyton's voice was full of anger, his body rigid with tension. "We can't cut corners on security. People will pay for good security." Carver's face turned a shade paler as he mentioned the price of installing his particular system. "I know, Peyton, but w
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