Ava’s POV

The sunlight streaming through the restaurant’s glass walls painted an almost serene picture, but the tension at our table was anything but peaceful. I sat stiffly in my chair, trying to focus on the menu, yet my mind lingered on the figure walking toward us. Orion’s entire demeanor had shifted. Gone was the calm, teasing man who had been holding my hand a moment ago. In his place was someone cold and dangerous, his jaw tight and his eyes dark with warning.

I turned my head slightly to get a better look at the approaching figure, but Orion’s hand clamped down on mine, his grip firm but not...