rst Me

er Drax-Whoosh There Goes

cking

f settled on the desk

gle m

X.

asant, no i

name: a

This morning I had spent thirty-six minutes in his office, and from then I

wanting me back

k a deep breath. Concentrate.

d glass doors, my hands had stea

gle k

pa

h

nt

-

Man at

ht compared to the rest of the building. It's not only the silence or th

head lights. His suit was impeccable, and every inch of him was composed and c

with curious intensity as if I

behind me and said after m

nod.

m, forcing myself to keep my gait slow.

he leaned forward slightly, s

nger than I exp

on neutral. "It's

on't make i

"I assume you love

ed in his eyes-in

keeping," he corrected. "I d

d and pulled. Again, he was

ng my voice calm, "

ant of

h

t y

-

First C

ir and surveyed me with an expr

"what do you know abo

rate giant, a man who realized his fortune by buying out tech companies in a kille

a reputation for hostile takeovers. He's currentl

ed slightly. "Go

ed. Anoth

ly. "There are rumors he's

now he stooped slightly, the tension shiftin

ly paying attent

swallow. "I guess I have to be if I

d people was unsettling-like he was peeling off lay

a folder acr

said. "Find out what leverage he ac

ned convulsivel

ho

uldn'

he desk before the deadline

ed in his eyes on

ow smirk.

-

e Che

ready in my hand. But when I went f

Sinc

d back.

me-an almost embarrassing,

xpected," he

ad. "And what

e predi

ed. "Disa

pa

almost dang

t y

efore he could see me shu

-

ne-Hour

lings, and industry reports. My head was running in overdrive at the

rty-five-minute ma

a corporate coup. He had insider connections, backdoor

ights was Dr

I walked back into Alexander Drax's office

n't look right a

oked

s fast,"

line," I said casua

little. "I

nd of silence at once pregnant with meaning, speaking

n the air hissing and bub

th

y opened

sappeared fr

-

Shift i

canned. His jaw tensed, the flex of the muscle

he pattern of deceit, crafted snares choicely place

ed slightly over th

ked up

s were sharp

sure ab

ed with no hes

nce, measur

h

he muttered un

een a seam rip open in his armor. A mere sha

quick, the m

onto the desk. "Miss Sinclair," he starte

ut maintaining my voice steady,

p, bark-like sound, a

leaned back

You've just assured you will

etween us felt electri

, my heart poun

l happen beyo

me back slow

ll s

I walked into his office, a

ust passed

tured his

e far more dange