Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Into Her Territory

[Evening, Iron Lantern]

The Iron Lantern was quiet that evening.

Low amber lights covered the worn wooden floor, while a blues song played softly in the background.

Orion pushed through the heavy door and scanned the room.

Scott was already waiting in a booth near the back.

The man was in his mid-forties, with broad shoulders, tired eyes, and a thick layer of stubble along his jaw. A half-empty glass of bourbon sat in his hand.

“Took you long enough,” Scott said.

Orion slid into the booth opposite him.

“You're lucky I came.”

Scott chuckled.

“Fair enough.”

For a moment, neither spoke. Then Scott looked him over.

“Still carrying that attitude?”

“Still breathing,” Orion replied, and Scott smiled.

“I heard you're driving cabs now.”

Orion's expression didn't change.

“Never thought I'd see you behind a wheel,” Scott continued.

Orion remained silent, and Scott leaned forward.

“You know why I called you.”

Orion glanced at him.

“I want you back at the workshop.” Scott spoke, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

“I have no fuckin' reason to go back.” he replied, deadpanned.

Scott sighed.

“Still remember Klein's deed?”

Orion said nothing.

“They blamed you for that missing alloy,” Scott continued. “I knew you didn't take it. I fought for you, but you wouldn't defend yourself.”

“Didn't see the point.” He rolled his eyes.

“You packed your tools and walked out.” Scott said.

“Just did the right thing.” Orion shrugged.

Scott nodded.

“Klein set you up. I found the paper trail later and fired him.”

Orion finally looked at him.

“The shop is clean now,” Scott said. “He's gone. Nothing like that will happen under my roof again.”

Orion leaned back. “Still not interested.”

Scott studied him.

“You got fired from the cab company this morning.”

Orion's gaze sharpened.

“So?”

“You think I don't hear things?”

A humorless laugh escaped Orion.

“You think I'm going to crawl back because I'm broke?”

“I'm not offering charity.” Scott leaned forward, and continued. “You're Orion. You've never worked because you were desperate.”

Orion stared at him. “Then give me one good reason.”

Scott smiled.

“You left custom builds unfinished. And you're still the best welder I've ever had.”

Orion remained silent, and Scott continued.

“Come back, and work on your own terms.”

A long silence followed.

Finally, Orion spoke. “Temporary.”

Scott waited.

“Strictly contract,” he continued, and Scott’s grin widened.

“I'll take it.” he said, and Orion stood.

“Don't get comfortable,” he muttered, and Scott laughed.

“Wouldn't dream of it, kid.”

Orion walked out, leaving Scott alone with his drink.

[Santa Anita Racetrack]

Beckett stood inside his private jockey room, surrounded by trophies from races across the world.

He wore his navy-and-white racing suit, his gloves resting beside him as he chewed a piece of gum.

Rowan sat nearby, watching him with quiet amusement.

“You know,” Beckett said, “when I win today, that's trophy number twenty-four for the country this season.”

Rowan raised an eyebrow.

“Twenty-four?”

“Exactly.”

Beckett grinned.

“Europe, Asia, Dubai, and every track I hit, the American flag goes up.”

Rowan shook his head.

“And you're still chewing gum like you're nervous.”

“Habit.” Beckett shrugged.

A lady appeared at the doorway.

“Five minutes to the paddock, Beck.”

“Got it.”

Beckett's phone buzzed on the counter.

He glanced down.

His mother's message read:

Good luck today, Son. Show them how it's done.

He smiled.

“Even Mom knows I'm taking the purse.”

Rowan folded his arms.

“You say that every time.”

“And I'm usually right.” Beckett pulled on his gloves.

“Let's go.”

Rowan stood and followed him out.

[Liberty Plaza]

The evening sun filtered through the glass atrium of Liberty Plaza as Indigo, Piper, and Remi walked through the shopping center.

Piper was in the middle of complaining about a leather jacket while Remi carried a small shopping bag.

They entered a designer boutique.

Piper immediately spotted a handbag.

“Indigo, look at this.”

Indigo smiled. “If you like it, we'll get it.”

Before they reached the display, the atmosphere inside the store changed.

Shoppers turned, and phones came out.

Indigo glanced toward the entrance.

Zinnia had arrived with Harper, Charlotte, Willa, and Sage.

Piper rolled her eyes. “Great. Look who just walked in.”

Remi stayed quiet. Her attention, however, shifted toward Sage. Their eyes met, but she quickly looked away.

Zinnia stopped at the display.

“I'll take this.” she said, pointing her painted nails at the handbag.

Piper stared at her. “Excuse me? I was about to buy that.”

Harper laughed. “Please. You can't afford it.”

“Don't embarrass yourself.” Charlotte smirked.

“Say that again.” Piper spoke, stepping forward.

Willa moved between them. “You sure you want to pick a fight you can't win?”

Indigo calmly placed a hand on Piper's arm.

“Piper, it's fine.”

Piper glared at Willa before stepping back.

“Fine.”

Zinnia took the handbag, and a small smile crossed her face.

“Wise choice. It looks better on me anyway.”

Indigo met her gaze.

“Enjoy it.” she smiled slightly. There was no anger in her voice.

Zinnia's group turned and left.

Piper watched them go. “Why is she so insufferable?”

Indigo laughed softly.

“Some people need an audience.” Remi finally spoke. “And some people don't even need to speak to disrupt a room.” she added

Piper looked at her. “What?”

“Nothing.” Remi quickly said, looking away.

Her eyes followed Sage until he disappeared through the glass doors.

Indigo linked her arm through Piper's.

“Come on. We still have shopping to do.”

[Santa Anita Racetrack]

The crowd erupted as Beckett guided his horse toward the starting gates.

“Beckett! Beckett! Beckett!”

The chant rolled through the grandstands.

Beckett smiled as he tightened his gloves.

He had raced in Tokyo, Paris, Dubai, and London, but competing at home still felt different.

Rowan watched from the paddock rail.

“Looks like they still believe the hype.”

Beckett laughed before speaking. “It isn't hype if you fuckin' deliver.”

His horse pawed at the dirt.

Beckett leaned forward and ran a gloved hand along its neck.

“Easy. Time to work.”

The announcer's voice boomed across the track.

“Jockeys, to your gates!”

Beckett's expression changed, and the smile disappeared, his focus settled.

The gates opened, and the horses exploded onto the track.

[Hartman Mansion]

After dinner, the staff cleared the last plates from the dining room.

Ophelia leaned back in her chair.

“I'm bored, Aunt Marlow. Willa wouldn't let me go with her today.”

Marlow smiled. “Your cousin has always been stubborn.”

“That's one word for it.” Ophelia nodded, and Marlow laughed softly.

“Speaking of the house, Cullen and his daughter will be moving in soon.”

Ophelia's face brightened. “Really?”

“Yes.”

“Do you think his daughter and I will get along?” Ophelia asked.

“I'm sure you will. She's very sweet.” Marlow smiled, and Ophelia smiled too.

“I can't wait.”

Later that night, after Marlow left, Ophelia slipped into the living room and turned on the television.

The Santa Anita race was already underway.

Her eyes lit up. “Finally.”

She curled up on the sofa and pulled a blanket over herself.

Beckett appeared on the screen.

To Ophelia, he wasn't just a famous jockey.

She had known him for years.

The roar of the crowd filled the room as the horses raced toward the finish.

Ophelia leaned closer to the screen, completely absorbed.

[Orion & Liam's Apartment]

Orion pushed open the apartment door.

Liam was sitting on the floor in front of the television, a half-empty bag of chips resting in his lap.

The Santa Anita race was still on.

“Hey,” Liam said without looking away. “You're just in time.”

Orion gave a quiet grunt.

He had no interest in horse racing, so he walked toward the bedroom.

Then Liam suddenly jumped to his feet.

“Yes! He took the first leg!”

Orion stopped, and he turned his head.

Liam was still celebrating in front of the television.

Orion glanced at the screen.

For a moment, he saw Beckett's blue racing silks crossing the finish line.

Then he turned away and continued toward the bedroom.

Liam didn't even notice.

[1:00 AM, Steele Estate]

The mansion was silent beneath the moonlight.

Zinnia quietly made her way toward the kitchen.

She was craving the dark chocolate éclairs she kept for late-night snacks.

When she opened the kitchen door, she stopped.

Vesper stood beside the island.

A small tray sat on the counter with two éclairs and a glass of milk.

“I had a feeling you'd come down,” Vesper said.

Zinnia frowned.

“Mom, it's one in the morning. Why are you here?”

She ignored the tray and headed toward the refrigerator.

Vesper didn't stop her.

“I know they're your favorite.”

Zinnia paused, but didn't turn to her mom.

“And I wanted to apologize again, Silver.”

Zinnia's hand remained on the refrigerator handle.

“I shouldn't have stepped out of line.”

Zinnia slowly turned around.

“You never do what I actually want, Mom. You just do whatever you think is best for me.”

Vesper nodded. “I know.”

She glanced at the tray before continuing.

“I'm trying to listen more.”

Zinnia stared at her for a moment. Then she walked over and picked up an éclair.

She took a bite, and Vesper's face softened with relief.

“Thank you.”

Zinnia chewed before looking at her mother.

“Fine.”

A faint smile appeared.

“Apology accepted, for now.”

“For now?” Vesper asked.

Zinnia gave her a small smirk. “Yeah, for now.”

Vesper laughed quietly.

Zinnia took another bite, but her thoughts had already moved to Monday.

The new semester was beginning. And this time, she wasn't returning alone.

Her friends had already dug up information about Orion.

The arrogant cab driver was a student at her university.

Zinnia's smile slowly returned.

He had embarrassed her. He had challenged her.

And now he had walked straight into her territory.

She couldn't wait for Monday.

Orion had no idea what was coming.

She was going to make his life on campus hell.