His Terms Only

Under His Terms

The marble lobby of Hawthorne Global swallowed Ava Carter whole. She stood frozen a moment, the echo of her heels ricocheting off the glass walls as if mocking her nervous heartbeat. This was it — the pinnacle of ambition, and she felt like a stray dog on the wrong side of town.

Her hand trembled as she adjusted the strap of her too-tight blazer. Business casual, the coordinator had said. Easy. But walking past a parade of perfectly tailored assistants and poised executives, Ava felt anything but prepared.

You don’t belong here.

She pushed the thought aside and jabbed at the elevator button, willing the machine to move faster.

When the doors slid open, she stepped inside, eyes fixed on the panel. Floor six. Editorial department. The elevator lurched upward, but before it reached her floor, it stopped abruptly at the top — floor forty-two.

Two men in sharp suits entered, their voices low but charged with urgency.

“If this leak hits the press, we’re finished.”

“Liam’s handling it. He always does.”

Ava’s pulse quickened. She tried to shrink into a corner, but one of them caught sight of her and frowned.

“This elevator is reserved.”

Her cheeks flamed. “I’m sorry. I’m new. Just an intern.”

Before the tension could escalate, a voice cut through like a blade.

“Let her stay.”

The world seemed to slow.

Liam Hawthorne.

The man who owned this empire, whispered about in boardrooms and gossip columns alike, stood just inside the elevator. His charcoal-gray suit fit like armor, and his eyes, sharp as broken glass, fixed on her with unsettling focus.

“You’re lost,” he said, his voice low and unyielding.

Ava swallowed hard, words caught in her throat. “Yes, sir.”

He stepped into the elevator beside her, ignoring the other men.

“Come with me.”

Her chest tightened. “Sir?”

“You disrupted a meeting meant for my executives. You need to understand what that means.”

The elevator doors slid open to reveal a penthouse office drenched in sunlight. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed a dizzying view of the city — a kingdom Ava had only ever dreamed of entering.

“Sit,” Liam said, motioning to a leather chair across from his massive black desk.

Ava lowered herself onto the edge, clutching her folder like a lifeline.

Liam leaned forward, fingers steepled beneath his chin. “Why are you here, Ava Carter?”

“To prove I’m more than where I come from,” she said, voice steady despite the pounding in her chest. “To make a life I can own.”

A flicker of something almost like approval crossed his face. “Good.”

Then his gaze hardened.

“But you don’t get to places like this by barging into private meetings.”

Her breath caught.

“I’m willing to work harder than anyone,” she said.

He studied her, eyes narrowing, as if weighing her soul.

“I’ll give you a chance,” he said slowly. “But on my terms.”

Ava felt a chill. “What terms?”

“You become my personal assistant. Completely loyal, completely available. You get access to everything — but it’s a price.”

She hesitated, the weight of his offer settling over her like a storm cloud.

“This isn’t just a job,” Liam said, voice darkening. “It’s a commitment. And I don’t tolerate half-measures.”

Her mind raced. This was no ordinary internship. It was a gamble. But it was the chance she’d been waiting for.

“I accept,” she said, meeting his gaze without flinching.

Liam gave a curt nod. “Good. Welcome to Hawthorne Global, Ava. Your real work begins now.”

The elevator doors slid shut behind her, sealing her fate.