His Terms Only

Ghosts Don’t Knock

The ride back to Ava’s apartment was quiet. Too quiet.

Liam hadn’t said much since Caroline left their table. His posture was composed, but his jaw had tensed — the kind of silence that held its breath.

Ava sat beside him in the car, hands folded neatly on her lap, but her mind was anything but calm.

Who was Caroline, really?

An ex? A ghost? Or a warning?

She turned slightly toward him. “You don’t have to tell me anything. But I’d rather know than wonder.”

Liam didn’t answer right away. The city lights flashed through the tinted glass, dancing shadows across his face.

“She wasn’t always like that,” he said finally.

Ava stayed silent, letting him fill the space.

“She was one of the first people who believed in me. Before the suits, before the skyline office.” His voice dropped. “Before I became someone people feared.”

That surprised Ava more than anything. The idea that Liam Hawthorne — cold, calculated, untouchable — had ever needed someone’s belief.

“She was... electric,” he continued. “Sharp, relentless, brilliant. But love’s a funny thing. It doesn’t leave when it dies. It lingers. Rots.”

The car turned a corner. Rain began to patter lightly against the windows.

“She cheated?” Ava asked, carefully.

“No,” he said, almost amused. “She stayed too long. And so did I.”

His words weren’t bitter. They were resigned. Like someone who had made peace with a battle he lost years ago.

The car slowed in front of her apartment. The driver didn’t move.

Neither did Ava.

“So what was tonight about?” she asked softly.

Liam turned to face her. His eyes met hers — unreadable, intense, steady.

“I wanted to see if being around you would undo me the way she did.”

Ava’s breath caught.

“And?” she asked.

“I’m still deciding,” he said.

Then he leaned in.

Not a kiss. Not quite.

But his lips hovered near hers for a second too long. His hand touched her cheek, just briefly — a quiet gesture that said I could ruin us both if I wanted to.

Then he pulled back.

“Goodnight, Ava.”

She stepped out of the car in a daze, barely noticing the driver pull away.

Inside her apartment, she kicked off her heels and leaned against the door, heart pounding like it had something to say.

She wasn’t sure what game Liam was playing.

But whatever it was — she was already in it.

---

The next morning, Ava arrived at the office earlier than usual.

The receptionist gave her a sharp glance. “You’re needed in Conference Room 7. Right now.”

Ava’s heels clicked louder than usual against the marble floors. Her stomach was in knots.

Inside the room, Liam stood by the window, arms folded. A man in a tailored gray suit sat at the long table, a thick folder open in front of him.

“Ms. Carter,” Liam said without looking. “This is Matthew Traynor — senior counsel for Pentrix Global.”

Ava froze.

Pentrix. The tech giant. The one Liam mentioned in passing — the one nearly destroyed by the leak.

Matthew smiled coolly. “Pleasure to meet you. You’re the one who advised public disclosure, yes?”

Ava blinked. “That was part of a strategy meeting—”

“Good instinct,” he interrupted. “We’re moving forward. And Mr. Hawthorne has appointed you liaison for this merger.”

Ava’s jaw nearly hit the floor. “Me?”

Liam finally turned around. “Yes. Effective immediately.”

“Liaison?” she repeated. “But I— I’ve never handled a merger. I’m not qualified—”

“That’s what makes it interesting,” Liam said, his expression unreadable. “You’ll either rise or burn.”

The room fell silent.

And Ava realized — Caroline wasn’t the storm.

This was.

---