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2024-10-29 19:42:56Conor awoke to a strange buzzing. He rolled over and his hand found the lamp. As he clicked on the light, he didn’t recognize the room he was in. A red light blinked next to a toggle. He clicked it and a familiar voice filled the room through a speaker.
“Well, where is he? Jess said that turd worked here.”
“Yes, Mr. Brantley works here but it's early sir. I don’t believe anyone else is in yet.”
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Rejected Billionaire 55: Targu Province, Temple of Abrasax
“Come along, Kerrigan, Dear,” sneered Prima Zadok Sudeas, the newly appointed high priest of the Dragon Thunder. Kerrigan Lokir slogged along in his wake, glowering at his tone. Before his ascension three years ago, Kerrigan was favored by all of the servants and monks any time she was in the temple of Abrasax. Somehow, this prick of a man had wormed his way to the top of all dragon worship from the dregs of Pinon Province of all places. Kerrigan cringed at the memories of Zadok all the way back when he was still a lowly priest, and she, just a small girl, orphaned at six.
Rejected Billionaire 56: Shine brighter
As Conor finished up his shift on Tuesday at Jackson’s furniture, he stopped in to see Mr. Matthews. “Sir, do you have a minute?” “Of course, Conor. Come on in. Are you in a tight spot again? Need another advance?” Conor chucked, “No, but I want to thank you for doing that for me. Actually, several of my long-term plans are starting to pan out. So, if it is alright with you, I will likely stay with just part
Rejected Billionaire 57: When did you grow a spine?
When Tuesday night spice and salsa night rolled around, Conor found himself in a chipper mood as he placed the salsas on the table. “Well, there is a smile I haven’t seen before,” came a cheerful greeting from Peter as he walked hand in hand with Cara. Conor chuckled, “Well it's been one hell of a week and it's only Tuesday.” “Last we saw you it was the end of the world. How did we get from that to this che
Rejected Billionaire 58: Celia trains
After Anna left, Conor sealed himself in his room. “Celia. Any advice you care to share.” ‘Don’t feel like you are going mad anymore by talking to me?’ “Well, I may be mad, but you seem to still offer solid advice, even if I am talking to myself.”
Rejected Billionaire 59: Targu Province
Targu Province - Kerrigan's POV Kerrigan stormed her way through the temple complex. “What the hell does that blasphemer want with Celia anyway? If she doesn’t choose him, he will never be able to do anything more than wear the medallion.” A deep growling male voice retorted ‘He is a coward who seeks power. He falsely thinks possession grants the wielder power and might. He does not understand the true meaning of the power Celia grants to those she has blessed.”
Rejected Billionaire 60: Franchise
Conor dressed in his Jackson’s uniform shirt and prepared to head out when a gentle purr greeted him from the bed. “You are still going to work at Jackson’s?” Anna asked from beneath the sheets. “We have things in hand here, you shouldn’t have to labor like that anymore.” “The exercise is good for me, and for now call it a cover. People love to underestimate someone doing such work. For me, it continues to be an opportunity to meet new people and to view them in a unique light. How they treat the floor s
Rejected Billionaire 61: Spice of Life Spreads
Conor arrived at the Spice Emporium to find the shop bustling with customers, the air thick with the rich aromas of exotic spices. He barely had time to take in the familiar surroundings before spotting Cara and Peter approaching, their faces alight with excitement.“Well, you two look pleased with yourselves. What’s going on?” Conor asked, raising an eyebrow at their enthusiastic expressions.Cara's face practically glowed as she glanced up at Peter, who smiled down at her. “Peter has asked me to go with him on a trip to Targu Province.”“Targu? What’s taking you there?” Conor asked, genuinely curious. The province was known for its historical sites, but it wasn’t the typical destination for a romantic getaway.Peter stepped in to explain, “I’ve got an opportunity to visit the Temple of Abrasax. There are some incredible spots for photography out there, and it’s a great chance to expand AperturePhoto. Plus, we might find some new angles for the brand.”Conor nodded thoughtfully but co
Rejected Billionaire 62: Deinmaar Kendov
When the evening wrapped up, Conor headed for his SUV parked around back. As he reached to open the door, a shadow loomed over him. “Hand over the pendant, Roviin Felkir,” a gruff hand tightened on his shoulder. Conor panicked, but images of his short training with Celia flooded his mind. He ducked and spun, trying to process the odd words the man had spoken. “What do you want? And what did you call me?” Conor backed toward the Spice Emporium hoping to draw attention. Four more figures appeared, one was
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S3 Chapter 22: Train rides
Monday morning broke with a cool spring breeze showing the last vestiges of winter before summer’s heat. Conor tossed his suitcase into the back of the SUV and hopped into the passenger seat.Parker drove them to Kerrigan’s house, pausing briefly to acknowledge the gate guard. Conor recognized him as one of Colonel Eli’s men he had seen around Vokrizin.“Jamison is a good man. He will make sure nothing happens to Miss Lokir’s house while you all are away,” Parker said.Conor just nodded.They pulled up to Kerrigan’s house and Parker honked twice.Conor jumped out when he saw the four ladies exit with several bags each. He and Parker quickly moved to help and filled the back of the SUV with bags, nearly completely blocking any hope of looking out the back window.“Guess you are moving out. No plans to return?” Conor asked.Kerrigan replied smoothly, “I am sure I will be back. This isn’t a fraction of what is in that house.”Parker closed the trunk and addressed everyone, “The Colonel do
- Rejected Billionaire
S3 Chapter 21: Kelan
Targu Province. Saturday night “A toast! To our good brother Kelan, for without him, many of us would still be scrapping the bottom of the barrel here in Velyki!” declared Darren Krellis. “Here, here!” chorused the room. "My family thanks you for letting us take over this place and turn it into the exclusive club Velykie can be proud of!" Darren declared. Kelan Benedict stood and saluted the room with his wine glass and took a swig. “Brothers and lovely guests,” he began, eyeing the ladies around the room dressed in tight-fitting evening gowns. “Tonight, I thank you for this gracious meal. Hopefully, the future will bring mutual benefit as the Benedict family begins its absorption of Velyki and then Targu!” There was a round of cheers and Kelan slumped back into his seat, wrapping his arm around Clarise, a tall attractive blonde dressed in a red dress that did wonders for her figure. “Brother Kelan,” came a grading voice beside him as someone sat down on the couch. Kelan took h
- Rejected Billionaire
S3 Chapter 20 : Visiting the Spice Emporium
“That was crazy,” Conor said as they headed across the street. Kerrigan slipped up beside him, slipping her hand into his, “I get the feeling that our lives will always attract crazy.” Conor sighed, “It does seem that way. Let’s see how Mr. Arroz is doing.” Conor gave Kerrigan’s hand a gentle squeeze as they crossed the street and stepped into the spice shop. A small bell sounded as they walked in. “Be right up!” came the bellow from the back room. Conor pointed to the glass case that protected the world from the hottest spice known, Abrasax’s wrath. “Now, any idea how we can get Kelan and perhaps Nyman to swallow that whole jar?” Kerrigan giggled, “I have a few I would like to feed it to. Think Mr. Arroz will part with the whole jar?” “Depends if he thinks he can replace it,” Conor said as Faolon brushed past him. “Hey, Faolan! Sit! PRALL!” Faolan came back and sat at his feet. Kerrigan looked up at him, “She just wants to sniff. This whole place is full of new smells.” “I k
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S3 Ch19: Entitlement
Conor and Kerrigan rode in companionable silence for most of the trip back to town, content to rest from the day’s climbing. They sat, each leaning against opposing car windows, but their legs met, touching from knee to heel. Conor felt their fingers brush and gently laced his with hers, enjoying how her hand fit so perfectly with his.It was near dinner time when they finally turned onto the street near the Spice Emporium. As Parker pulled into a parking space at the far end of the street, Conor noticed the Grizlehut. It had been a long time since he had thought about his old job. While his condominium home was at the far end of the street, he never come down this way anymore. Too often, Parker would be waiting for him, and they would simply drive the other direction to get to Vokrizin.Conor reached for the door and realized Kerrigan was completely passed out against her window. He leaned over and gently shook her shoulder. As she came awake, Conor saw a flash of panic cross her face
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S3 Ch 18: Trust building
He changed his hand position and reached, finding the quickdraw dangling from its anchor. He clipped the rope in and began his attempt to crest the bulge in the rock. As he pivoted, he realized the angle he was moving to would erase any grip he had on that hold. As he thought this, he felt a weightless sensation as he began to fall away from the rock. The rope went taught and jerked him mid-air as Kerrigan was pulled off her feet, flying fifteen feet in the air. She managed to hold the rope in its breaking position but her head was dangerously close to his feet. When he had caught his breath, Conor looked down into Kerrigan’s terrified green eyes. “Fancy meeting you up here. Think we could meet up again, once we are safely on the ground?” Kerrigan gawked at him for a second before smiling, “I suppose I could let you down, but You are at my mercy. I might just have to leave you up here like a pinata.” Conor chuckled as he watched her slowly release tension, lowering herself back dow
- Rejected Billionaire
S3 Ch 17: Rock climbing
“OK, now it's time for you to try. Who is up first?” Conor volunteered. “Fine, Kerrigan, you are on belay. I will back you up and walk you through each step. I want you both to understand, Lead climbing like this places your life in the hands of your partner. If you don’t trust each other and learn not only to communicate but to anticipate each other’s needs, you will fail and likely hurt each other.” Kerrigan looked dubiously at Parker. “Conor is easily 50 pounds heavier than me!” Parker eyed Conor’s muscular but toned form, “You are what? 200 or 210 pounds these days?” “Last I checked, yea, right at 205.” “Should be fine. Kerrigan, you just have to learn to brace yourself correctly. You could go for a ride but if you use the skills I taught you earlier you could even belay me, and I am 230 pounds these days. Climbing is about technique as much as it is about skill. Now, let's get Conor tied in.” Parker tied the end of the climbing rope to Conor’s harness and showed Kerrigan.
- Rejected Billionaire
S3 Ch16:
Conor leaned against the SUV with Parker standing across from him checking through a few bags of gear. “We have three ropes, harnesses for everyone, belay devices, and four full sets of quickdraws. I am also bringing a few crash pads. I don’t plan on you needing to use them but we will put them along the base just in case. Here, try these on.” Parker tossed a pair of strange shoes to him. Conor looked at the shoes that had a sharp curve to the toe and the sole was a flat rubber that followed the arch curve. The tan material seemed to be some sort of soft doeskin or very supple leather. Conor tried to pull the shoe on but his toes cramped and they were shoved into the tight shoes. “Umm, I think these are too small.” Parker walked over and check them. “your heal fits right?” “Yea, but my toes are all curled” “Painfully curled or just uncomfortably curled?” Conor considered before finally replying, “just uncomfortable. My shoes are normally a bit loose.” “Then they fit perfectly.
- Rejected Billionaire
S3 Ch 15: Issues at home
Kerrigan spent the next day walking around the property at her house with Faolan. It had been a while since they had been able to just play, and she took this opportunity to play fetch. Thankfully her right arm still functioned, though being it was her off-hand, it was a bit awkward to throw. She figured this was good training for anything that might injure her dominant arm. Mercifully she had awoken almost entirely pain-free. The pills the Colonel had given her had truly worked wonders overnight and she had to admit, she was looking forward to being able to learn to climb the sheer rock faces near the waterfall tomorrow. The day passed rather uneventfully, and as the sun set Kerrigan found herself curled up on the back porch on one of their outdoor couches, with Faolan warming her feet with her furry mass. Reilynn stepped out a few minutes later with two glasses of wine and handed one to Kerrigan as Gabriella come out behind her. the girls each sank into chairs and leaned back, look
- Rejected Billionaire
S3 Ch 14: Kerrigan's Family revelations
The next morning Kerrigan arrived on the roof of Vokrizin for their daily training session. Colonel Eli strode over to her but before he could start setting her to drills she decided to interject, “I actually wanted to talk to you.” “Oh?” “two things really. First, do you think tomorrow I could take the girls climbing? Perhaps Conor will join us?” The Colonel glanced to where Parker was sparing with Conor, “I don’t see why that should be a problem.” He looked to Reilynn, “You feel confident in training them?” “Yes, sis.” “Fine, I will requisition the gear. What size shoe do you were, Miss Lokir?” “Umm about 23.5 cm.” “Hmm ok. I will make sure to get you and Conor some. Be warned, they will be tight. These are not meant for walking, they are designed for grip. Don’t be surprised if they feel a size or two smaller than is comfortable. What was the other thing?” “I am returning to Dragon Corporation at the end of the week.” “Ah, I see. I will begin redeploying a detail. We still
