Bound by Honor *2ND DRAFT*

XV

November 10

Malakai POV

The boardroom was too loud. Too many voices, too many opinions from people who didn't understand the stakes. I stood at the head of the table, hands resting on the back of a leather chair, eyes fixed on the presentation screen. They all talked at once, throwing out half-baked solutions and buzzwords that meant nothing to me.

"Quiet," I said evenly. My voice wasn't loud — it didn't need to be. The room went still in seconds.I scanned each face, reading them like I always did — the nervous tapping fingers, the darting eyes, the ones pretending to understand what they clearly didn't. I'd learned a long time ago that people revealed everything in their silence.

"We're not improvising," I said, calm but sharp. "We're strategizing. There's a difference. The merger only works if operations and logistics align — otherwise, we're bleeding money by the second."A junior executive cleared his throat, glancing nervously at a stack of printouts. "Sir, the projections—""Are wrong," I interrupted, not even looking up. "Run them again with a six-month forecast and recheck your baseline data. I don't deal in guesses."

A woman at the far end tried to interject, her pen tapping against her pad. "We could try integrating the systems in phases—""No," I cut in, keeping my tone calm but final. "Half-measures are how you end up with twice the mess. We move when the groundwork is airtight, not before."A hush fell. I could see the frustration in a few faces, the relief in others.

I let the silence linger, making sure my point hit home.No one argued. They never did. I didn't give them a reason to.When the room emptied, I stayed behind. The noise faded, leaving just me and her.She was sitting at the edge of the table, her hand idly tracing the rim of a coffee cup.

"You know," she said, voice soft but teasing, "you terrify half the staff."I finally looked up, letting the cold edge in my expression soften for her — only for her. "That's because half the staff doesn't know what they're doing, baby."She arched a brow. "And the other half?""They're faking it better."

Her lips twitched, fighting a smile. "You could at least try to be nice.""Nice doesn't get respect," I said simply, walking closer until I was standing right in front of her. "Results do."She tilted her head, eyes glinting. "You really believe that?"I brushed my thumb across her jawline, letting my touch linger. "I believe in getting things done. And keeping you out of the crossfire while I do it."

A soft laugh escaped her. She tried to play it off — she always did — but I saw it. I always saw it."You make it sound like I need protecting," she murmured, but she leaned into my hand all the same.I leaned closer, smirking. "Not protecting, baby. Guarding. There's a difference."She looked away with that flustered grin of hers, muttering, "You're impossible.""Maybe," I said, lips curving slightly. "But you love me for it."She grinned, looping her arms around my neck. "I do. But you have to admit, you enjoy scaring them just a little."

I pretended to consider it. "Maybe. Keeps them on their toes."She laughed, her fingers playing with the collar of my shirt. "And what about me? Should I be scared?"I leaned in, my voice dropping to a murmur. "Never. You're the only one who gets under my skin."She smiled, soft and a little proud. "Good. I like having the upper hand."I chuckled, letting my forehead rest against hers for a moment.

"Don't let it go to your head."She kissed me quick — a brush of lips that steadied something wild in me. "Too late."Later that evening, Easton called me into his office. He stood behind his desk, papers spread out in front of him, a glass of scotch untouched by his hand."You've done more for this merger in a month than my old team did in a year," he said.

"You've got my full trust, Malakai."That meant something — coming from him. I gave a single nod. "Appreciate that. You know I don't take it lightly."He glanced down, then up again, almost smiling. "I know. You're family. You've proven that.""Doesn't mean I'll go easy on your numbers."

He laughed quietly, shaking his head. "Wouldn't expect anything less."When I stepped out of his office, the halls were quiet again. Just the way I liked them. People moved out of my way, offering quick nods or avoiding eye contact altogether. I didn't mind. Let them keep their distance — they weren't my concern.

She was waiting by the elevator, the glow of the overhead lights catching the soft gold in her eyes. She was scrolling through her phone, but looked up the moment I approached."Everything alright?" she asked, voice gentle."Handled," I said simply."Of course it is," she teased, stepping closer. "You're you."I smiled faintly, reaching out to tuck a curl behind her ear.

"And you're trouble, you know that?"She laughed, brushing my hand away. "I'll take that as a compliment.""It is."She eyed me, grinning slow. "You going to tell me what Easton wanted, or do I have to pry it out of you?"I leaned closer, lowering my voice. "He said I'm family. Gave me his trust."She softened at that, slipping her hand into mine. "He's right, you know. You're the reason this whole thing hasn't fallen apart fully."

I squeezed her fingers gently. "Not alone. You keep me sane."She nudged me with her shoulder as the elevator doors opened. "That's a full-time job."I grinned, following her inside. "Lucky for me, you're overqualified."When the elevator doors closed, I took her hand — not because anyone was watching, but because I needed to feel her there. My world had narrowed down to a small circle: Easton, family, and her — my baby.Everyone else? Just static in the background.And if they were smart, they'd keep it that way.