Steel Meets Silk [Commander Colt x F!OC]

3- Mapped Destinies

I couldn't remember the last time I felt this drained. The investors had been all business, their smiles polished, but there was an underlying tension in the room. It wasn't just about the market anymore; something else lingered in the air—something I couldn't quite name. Maybe it was the war, maybe the way they kept eyeing Colt like they were trying to figure him out. Or maybe it was just the pressure of being thrown into this world without any real preparation.

Colt hadn't said much since we left the investors' office, and I was grateful for the silence. The stress from the presentation, the strained conversations with my father's partners, and the sense of unease all combined to leave me feeling like I was unraveling. As we approached my estate, the sleek gates opened with a soft whoosh, and the transport slowed to a stop.

I stepped out, turning to see Colt trailing behind. As I moved up the steps toward the front door, I glanced back at him.

"Where are you staying, by the way?" I asked, breaking the quiet.

"I'll be staying in the guest quarters next door," he said, his voice steady. "I'm close enough to respond if needed, but it also gives you space to adjust to the situation."

I nodded, feeling reassured by the arrangement. Having him close enough to step in if needed brought some comfort, but his constant presence was still something I wasn't quite used to. Everything had changed, and it was happening so fast.

I reached for the door handle but paused, turning back to him. "You want to come inside for dinner?"

His gaze flickered toward the door, then back to me. 

"I'm fine just standing guard, ma'am," Colt said with a slight tilt of his head. Then, after a beat, he added, "But I'll join you."

"Make yourself at home," I said, stepping inside, already thinking of the bottle of wine waiting in the kitchen.

I poured myself a glass, watching the deep red liquid swirl in the crystal. The familiar scent of wine wrapped around me, a comforting escape in the midst of everything. I lifted it to my lips but hesitated, glancing over at Colt. "Want one?" I asked, holding the glass out.

He shook his head. "I'm on duty, ma'am. I'll pass."

I shrugged, lifting my glass with a faint smile. "Suit yourself," I said.

I took a sip, letting the warmth of the alcohol ease some of the tension in my chest, and glanced back at him again. "I've been meaning to ask you something," I began, choosing my words carefully. "How do you know so much about that war-related technology? During the meeting, you sounded... almost like one of my father's associates."

He didn't flinch. Didn't even look surprised by the question. Instead, he held my gaze, his brown eyes steady. "I've been trained on more than just combat," he said quietly. "There's a lot I've had to learn along the way. Strategy, technology... things that go beyond just fighting."

I blinked, caught off guard by his answer. "So... you're not just some soldier," I murmured, more to myself than him. "You've really worked with people like my father?"

He nodded, his jaw tightening slightly. "It's part of my training." he said quietly. "They don't want us to be just weapons. Some of us are trained to blend into situations, to understand things that... go beyond the battlefield."

"Like business?" I asked, a hint of disbelief in my voice.

"Yes. Like business," he replied with a faint smile, the first I'd seen from him. A crack in his steely exterior.

"I've spent years working alongside engineers, strategists, even diplomats," he continued. "Protecting you isn't just about being a guard. It's about understanding everything that could affect your safety. That means knowing a lot more than just how to fire a blaster."