Taking Control
1190 Words
The moment they arrived at Maddox Tech Enterprises, The SUV hadn’t even rolled to a stop before the flashes started.
“Mr. Maddox! Over here! Are you two together? Is it serious? Are the rumors true?”
River cursed under his breath and got out first. He moved fast, opening Jace’s door and holding out his hand.
Jace hesitated, surprised. But he took it.
River’s grip was firm, warm and steady. Jace didn’t realize how much he needed that until their fingers locked.
They moved through the chaos together. River stood in front, shielding him, his hand never letting go.
And Jace... couldn’t stop staring.
It was just a hand. But it was his and for the first time in days, something felt right.
Inside the glass doors, away from the noise, River finally stopped and pulled his hand away.
He cleared his throat. “I just needed to guide you through the crowd.”
Jace blinked. “Right, of course.”
He tried to sound casual. But part of him already missed the warmth.
Sasha appeared at their side, professional and brisk as always. “You two looked good out there, even I was convinced. Come on.”
They stepped into the elevator. The doors slid closed with a soft whoosh.
Jace stood stiffly beside River, trying not to look. But he kept sneaking glances anyway, his eyes drawn to the curve of River’s jaw, the way his shirt fit snugly across his chest, the veins along his forearms.
River didn’t miss it.
He smirked without looking. “Like what you see, Maddox?”
Jace’s head snapped away, cheeks flushing. “I was just… thinking.”
“Uh-huh.”
River’s grin widened.
Jace crossed his arms and looked at the elevator doors like they were the most fascinating thing in the world. “You’re insufferable.”
“And you’re red,” River muttered under his breath.
The elevator dinged.
As the doors opened, the floor was quiet, too quiet.
Workers looked up from desks and paused mid-keystroke. A low wave of murmurs echoed through the hallway.
Their eyes weren’t on Jace.
They were on River.
Tall. Broad-shouldered. Intimidating in black. Standing a step too close to the CEO.
River met their stares head-on.
Just one look. That was all it took.
The hallway went quiet again.
Jace held back a laugh. “You always walk in like that?”
River shrugged. “Old habits. Intimidate first, explain later.”
“Remind me to never take you to a company mixer.”
“Too bad. I already RSVP’d as your plus one.”
Jace gave him a sidelong look. “You didn’t.”
River just smiled.
They reached the office. Sasha opened the door and handed Jace a folder. “Here's your schedule. You’ve got six briefs to review, two internal calls, and a major conference meeting in ten minutes.”
Jace flipped through the pages, frowning. “They expect a full presentation already?”
“You’ve had two weeks to prepare.”
“I’ve also had two break-ins, a fake boyfriend, and a death threat.”
Sasha blinked. “And yet, here you are. A hero.”
She walked out, heels clicking against the tile.
River whistled low. “She’s terrifying.”
“She’s organized,” Jace muttered.
“Same thing.”
Jace stood behind his desk and exhaled. “It’s been a while since I sat in this chair.”
River leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “You nervous?”
Jace nodded once. “Yeah.”
River stepped forward, not smiling this time. “Talk to me.”
Jace looked down at the desk, fingers tapping it lightly. “I know it’s just a meeting. But after everything… I don’t know how they see me now. I don’t want to walk in there and feel like I’m the scandal instead of the CEO.”
River walked over and stopped in front of him.
“I’ll be beside you the whole time.”
Jace looked up.
River’s voice was steady. “You’re still the man in charge. They don’t get to take that from you.”
Jace took a deep breath. “Thank you.”
River hesitated. “If anyone talks down to you in there, I’ll break their chair.”
Jace raised an eyebrow. “That’s...dramatic.”
“You want supportive or subtle?”
“Somewhere in between.”
River smirked. “I’ll take notes.”
Ten minutes later, they walked into the large glass conference room.
The board was seated around the long table. Men and women in dark suits turned their heads as Jace entered, River beside him, his expression calm and unreadable.
Jace took his seat at the head.
River pulled out the chair beside him and sat down, scanning the room with sharp eyes.
The meeting started.
Jace cleared his throat. “Thank you all for coming. I know there’s been...disruption lately. But today, I want to refocus our attention on the future.”
He opened the folder in front of him. “The Maddox Tech Domestic AI Initiative is ready to begin. We’ve developed a prototype robot that can handle essential household functions, cooking, cleaning, security syncing, even elderly care. It learns by behavior and adapts using real-time data.”
Heads nodded and pens scribbled. One of the women leaned forward. “And the privacy protocols?”
“Built-in,” Jace replied smoothly. “Everything local. No external storage unless authorized. We’ve partnered with a cybersecurity firm to prevent breaches.”
Another board member spoke. “Projected market value?”
“By next year, multi-billions. It’s tech with heart. Function with humanity.”
A man in glasses leaned in. “Will there be beta testing before launch?”
“We’ve already begun with a limited trial in five homes,” Jace said. “We’re tracking efficiency, adaptation speed, and feedback response.”
The room buzzed with quiet approval. The idea was sound and the plan was solid.
And Jace was holding his own,until the door clicked open.
Every head turned and Vincent Crane stepped inside.
He was tall and confident, wearing a smirk like he already owned the place.
“I hope I’m not interrupting,” he said smoothly.
He was. Jace sat up straighter. “We’re in the middle of a meeting.”
Crane walked forward without hesitation. “Perfect timing, then. I had a few thoughts to share. About this… AI project of yours.”
River’s eyes sharpened.
Crane stopped across from Jace and folded his arms. “You think you know what the market needs. But you’re too distracted, Jace. You’ve let emotion run the company.”
A few members shifted uncomfortably.
One woman cleared her throat. “Mr. Crane, this isn’t on the agenda….”
He raised a hand. “Then maybe it should be.”
Jace stared him down. “Is there a point here?”
“Yes.” Crane smiled coolly. “I don’t think you’re fit to lead anymore.”
Jace’s breath caught.
River leaned forward, voice low and dangerous. “You want to repeat that?”
Crane didn’t blink. “You heard me.”
- Writer
