2022-01-07 00:01:17Kelan sat in the Prima’s office looking at a cute young waif of a girl. “I suppose she will do. she looks like she would break as soon as you touch her.”
“You will have to be the judge of that, Kelan. Go on, Alina. Go get ready. You will train with Kelan for a while, understand? Learn well from him, and do not disappoint me.”
“Yes, Prima.” She said and bowed. “Is there anything I need to be aware of to pack properly?”
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
Rejected Billionaire 99: Dagdon's reply
Kerrigan Lokir paced around her office. Katie had made it in this morning safely but something had to be done about Kelan. What Kerrigan needed was more information from Dagdon. Katie’s story would only go so far. Natalie had the foresight to help document all of the injuries and bruising, but pressing any sort of charges against Kelan would be a challenge. They needed more. Kerrigan wanted to see Kelan’s world collapse around him. Let him suffer piece by piece for his transgressions. Perhaps Bayan Rail would be the thread that began to unravel it all. She looked down at several maps and figures Natalie had prepared. Bayan Rail was a blade that Kelan had sunk deep, but it could cut both wa
Rejected Billionaire 100: spies and counter spies
Across the street in a dark corner, a man laid atop a roof, camera pointing towards the parking lot. He snapped a series of photos and looked down at the screen. A lady in a white scarf and pink hat matched a similar photo he had of the girl he was to be tracking. He snapped a few more photos as she handed a man a wad of cash. “Well, that’s interesting. What are you buying, little miss?”He pulled out his phone and dialed a number. “Sir.”“Go ahead.”“I tracked the car you asked me to follow. The girl matches that photo you sent, pink hat and everything. She is meeting some guy. I cannot get a shot of his face, but she handed him a wad of cash.”“Little bitch. Didn’t take you long. Well no point in waiting to find out when this contractor plans to strike. Go ahead and take her out. She has served her purpose. And make sure its clean. I don’t need the dragon queen coming after me for t
Rejected Billionaire 101: Into the Mountains
~Kerrigan Kerrigan struggled at a cloth clamped around her mouth. She desperately tried to recall her training and slammed an elbow back, but the fumes made her motion sluggish. Whoever held her had an iron grip. She gasped for breath, which was a mistake. The fumes on the rag choked her, nearly making her vomit with its sickly sweet smell. The night around her closed in as she felt her body go limp. Small prick in the side of her neck before unconsciousness claimed her. Kerrigan’s eye’s opened as Abraxas roared in her mind. ‘GET UP, KERRIGAN! FIGHT!’ She found herself being dropped into a trunk, her head smacking the hard metal of the trunk floor. She glared up at the man, but was still to groggy to form words, her head swimming from the impact.
Rejected Billionaire 102: escape
Kerrigan pulled herself to the edge of the bed and rummaged through her jacket to find her phone. She felt her strength ebbing as she pressed the speed dial for Breanna. “Miss? Is something wrong? Why are you calling so late?” “Breanne. Track my cell. Gah. Bring. Bring the emergency kit. I am up the mountain somewhere.” “Miss?! Kerrigan?! Are you ok?” “Hurry.” Kerrigan felt the last of her strength leaving her as she pulled herself onto the bed. She lay out trying to quiet her racing heart. As the shock of the evening hit in full force, she slipped into unconsciousness. Kerrigan awoke to Breanna shaking her awake and sliding onto the bed behind her, cradling her head. “Kerrigan? What the hell did you get yourself into? Stevic, search the grounds, make sure no one else is in the area. Lear, search that man, and figure out who he is. Reilynn, help me with Kerrigan.” A fiery looking young woman dressed in what could only be described as dark stealth armor came over and opened a kit
Rejected Billionaire 103: Uncle Eli
Jinstain – Bayan Province ~ Conor BrantleyAs winter began to thaw in Bayan Province, Conor found new life in working with the kids at the community center. Cara and Peter were an amazing pair as they helped him prepare for the spring Gala with the help of Amber Morrison. Amber organized the kids into teams based on where they lived and set them on scavenger hunts with photographers from Peter’s team. They were each to seek out members of the community and ask them what one activity they would want to have at a community center. Then they had to get a photo with them whereever they currently did that activity.Conor couldn’t help but laugh when he followed Cara and her gang of little girls up to a couple of old men playing a board game in the old park. When the girls fearlessly hoped up on the bench next to the men and asked them what they were playing the transformation on their faces was priceless. At first Cara snapped photos of grumpy
Rejected Billionaire 104: the pledge
When the trio arrived back at Vokrizin, Conor led them to his office. Parker pealed off and stood guard near the elevators. Conor half suspected it was because Kayle was working the reception desk today. Eli poked around the office while Conor sat in his chair behind his desk. “You are welcome to take a seat Colonel. I do appreciate you coming. I hope this means you are at least willing to consider my offer to come back to active duty. Though if you have been out of the country, perhaps you have not been as retired as people may believe.” Conor said, as the idea crossed his mind. He eyes the Dragoon speculatively. “You are sharp. I will grant you that. The nature of my work was less for the temple and more along the lines of my royal appointment in the king’s army. I still review troops and conduct training for th
Rejected Billionaire 105: Apple Blossom and Cinnamon
After several hours in the field Parker dropped Conor off back at Vokrizin.“I am going to shower and change then head home. Go ahead and enjoy the rest of your afternoon.” Conor said.“Are you sure?”“It should just be security here today, everyone else is gone for the weekend. I will text you when I am heading home.”“Sounds good sir. Have a good rest of your weekend.”Conor turned and spotted a female guard at the front of the office. He turned back to Parker, “New guard? I don’t recognize her.”Parker squinted at the entrance and said, “I don’t recognize her either. Colonel Eli said he brought on three new female guards this morning, maybe she is one?” Parker pulled out his phone and flicked open a text from Eli with the images of each guard. He held it out to Conor.“Maybe… looks like this Second Lieutenant Gabrielle. There is a capta
Rejected Billionaire 106: Discussing futures
It took longer than he expected for the knock to come, but when it did, he opened the door to find Kerrigan with long baggy pants. A white blouse loosely hung over her shoulder which he could see was still bandaged. She did not at all look like the finely dressed queen of Dragon Corporation he had seen on several occasions prior. She seemed to be favoring her left leg.“Do you need a coat or jacket?”“Please.” She said simply.He slipped back into the room and grabbed one of his coats and helped gently drape it across her shoulders. He led them back out into the office and pulled out a chair for her. She dropped into it heavily, her left leg propped gingerly out to the side.“What day is it?”“Umm, it’s Sunday afternoon. March third if that helps any.”“Shit.”Conor watched as she rubbed more sleep from her eyes. As he assessed her, he saw numerus bruises and cuts every
Latest Chapter
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
