Page 41 of The Sterling Acquisition
Play the game, he reminded himself.Buy time. Survive long enough for better options to present themselves.
Even if those better options came in the form of a different corporate predator who at least wanted him intact. Dante claimed he valued Orion’s defiance, but was that just another form of corporate doublespeak? The man worked for Gensyn, after all—the corporation that perfected compliance through chemical control. His interest in Orion’s resistance might be nothing more than scientific curiosity about a particularly stubborn specimen.
Still, unlike Leo, Dante had been honest about his intentions. Crude and presumptuous, yes, but there had been no pretense of romance or partnership—just raw desire and mutual benefit. It wasn’t trust that Orion felt toward the operative, but rather a calculated assessment of aligned interests. For now.
By the time the credits rolled, Leo worked his way through most of a bottle of wine—apparently celebrating what he saw as a breakthrough in their relationship. His arm was still around Orion’s shoulders, heavier now, and his inhibitions had lowered along with the wine level.
“This has been wonderful,” Leo said, his words slurred. “Really wonderful. I knew Dante’s methods would help, but I didn’t expect such rapid improvement.”
Because sitting through a movie without violence constituted a personality transformation, apparently.
“I’m glad you’re pleased,” Orion said.
“Pleased?” Leo laughed, the sound warm and breathless. “I’m more than pleased. I’m... hopeful. For the first time in months, I’m hopeful about us.”
Us. The word was loaded with nauseating expectations. The apartment felt smaller, the walls closing in with their industrial beige paint and mass-produced SVI motivational posters. The entire space reeked of corporate sterility, barely masked by Leo’s desperate attempts at creating a home.
Leo shifted on the couch, turning to face him more, and Orion saw the intent in his eyes before he moved. The hand on his shoulder slid to cup his face, thumb brushing over his cheekbone with clumsy tenderness.
“Orion,” Leo whispered, leaning closer. “I know this has been difficult, but I really think we could have something special if you’djust—”
“Leo.” Orion caught his wrist gently, stopping the advance without violence. “I appreciate the evening we’ve had, but I’m not ready for... more than this. Not yet.”
The words came out steadier than he expected. Leo blinked, surprised by the lack of hostility in the refusal.
“Oh. I... of course. I didn’t mean to presume.” Leo pulled back, but his expression was more relieved than hurt. “I just thought, after today’s progress...”
“Today was good,” Orion said, surprised to find he almost meant it. Not because he enjoyed any of it, but because he proved to himself that he could play this game when survival depended on it. “But I need time to adjust to... all of this.”
“Time. Yes, of course you do.” Leo’s smile was soft, grateful even. “I’m just so relieved that you didn’t... that you weren’t angry with me for asking.”
Because Leo’s expectation had been violence, scratching, and biting—the kind of response Orion had been giving him for months. The fact that he managed a gentle refusal instead was cause for celebration.
“I’m trying to approach things differently,” Orion said, which was true enough.
“I can see that. And I’m grateful for the effort.” Leo stood from the couch, swaying. “I should let you get some rest. Tomorrow you have another session with Dante, and I’m very interested to see how that goes.”
Another session with Dante. The thought sent an unwelcome spike of anticipation through him, followed by self-disgust. He was supposed to be focused on survival, not on the memory of competent hands and filthy promises. Yet he couldn’t deny the tactical value of these “sessions.” Every moment with Dante was another opportunityto gather intelligence, to solidify their temporary alliance, to prepare for what would come next.
“Good night, Leo,” he said.
“Good night, Orion. Sleep well.”
Leo disappeared into his room, and Orion was alone with his thoughts, left alone in the main apartment for the first time in months.
He’d proven he could play the compliant pet when necessary. Could endure casual affection and domestic expectations without losing his mind. Could even manage gentle refusals instead of violence when Leo overstepped.
But every moment of it had been a lie, a calculated performance designed to buy him time. And the clock was still ticking toward whatever timeline Leo had been hinting at, whatever “new approaches” were being developed to ensure his compliance became permanent.
Three days, maybe four, before his window for escape closed. Before, Project Tether would be used to chemically alter his mind, to make him believe he wanted to be owned. To turn his rebellion into gratitude and his independence into willingsubmission.
Tomorrow, he would learn more about Dante’s plan while continuing to develop his own contingencies. He would appear compliant while gathering intelligence and preparing for violence.
Because he’d rather die fighting than live as the grateful, compliant pet Leo was so eager to create. And if Dante proved as untrustworthy as every other corporate operative, Orion would be ready to handle that, too.
Chapter thirteen
Intelligence Gathering
