The mountainside to the right began to turn into a sheer face that towered over them as the left side fell away down to a strong moving stream below. At one point Parker looked up and pointed at the sheer rock wall. “See those small metal bits on the wall?” Kerrigan strained her eyes but noticed the metal glinting. “What are those?” “Anchors. Some of the more adventurous climbers have been out here and did everyone a favor by drilling those into the wall. Now anyone with the knowledge and skill can try to climb that wall with much more confidence. It is actually becoming a popular sport in some circles. Perhaps I can requisition some ropes and quickdraws from Colonel Eli. You two will likely need to visit an outfitter to get some proper shoes if we come back out here,” Parker explained. “You climb that? All the way up there? What if you fall?” Kerrigan asked in trepidation. “Ropes. It’s the same method we use for special operations. Of course, the stakes are much lower, and it's h
Evelynn picked out a spot on the large flat rock near Kerrigan and set down her own backpack, laid out a towel, and then glanced around for Parker before stripping off her shirt, revealing her bikini underneath. She then took a running leap and dove into the depths of the pool. “Well, that is one way to brave the cold.” Conor chuckled as Evelynn broke the surface halfway across the pond. He stood and stripped off his own shirt revealing an impressive set of abs. Kerrigan realized that since they had been training together, Conor had developed a lean, powerful build with his naturally wide shoulders and strong arms having been concealed so often beneath his business suits. “You going to join us?” Conor called to everyone else. Gabriella shook her head with a smile. “Not today, sir. I will keep an eye on the path, but you all go ahead.” Parker nodded at Gabriella in acknowledgment before stripping off his own shirt and diving in. Kerrigan hesitated for a moment, “What about this sur
“Or what? You were sticky and needed a rinse.” Parker quipped, popping another chip ladened with chicken salad. “You knew perfectly well that a dunk in cold water is not what I was after,” Evelynn said, snatching the chicken salad from Parker and taking a scoop for herself before passing it to Kerrigan. “I wasn’t done with that. As for you, if that is what you wanted, you could have just asked me back to your place AFTER work. Perhaps there I could have given you a proper shower.” Parker said straight-faced. Evelynn squirmed uncomfortably, “You know perfectly well that I am stuck in the barracks at Volkrizin. Colonel Eli doesn’t tolerate ANYTHING.” “So am I. You likely didn’t realize it as our entrance is from the other stairwell, but I am under the same roof as you, just on the other side of a wall,” Parker explained. “Wait, Conor, ALL of our guards are housed at Vokrizin? Why doesn’t Parker have a home of his own?! Colonel Eli? The other 100 or so I see around?” Kerrigan asked i
Monday morning Conor looked around the Vokrizin office before going downstairs to find Mr. Nuri. When he knocked on his office door, Mr. Nuri jumped up and came over to greet him. “What can I do for you, Mr. Brantley?” “Has a new real estate team lead been assigned to replace Anna?” Mr. Nuri considered Conor’s demeanor before saying, “Miss Brooks has a list of potential agents who are well versed in real estate law and have excellent skills that she believes will be a good fit for the main office. She informed me before she left that the three candidates would be available any time this week to meet. Should I call for them?” Conor sighed; memories of Anna’s meticulous attention to detail and ability to predict his needs flooding him. He knew, however, that her desire to head up the southern Targu office was likely more than just a location move. Too much had happened between them to simply be coworkers in the same office. “If you would, Miss Lokir and I would like to discuss some
Conor made his way back through familiar employee-only halls to Mr. Matthew’s office. When he knocked on the door, Mr. Matthews voice greeted him. “Come in!” Conor opened the door to find Mr. Matthews leaning over the shoulder of a man in his late thirties. “Ah, Conor, my boy. Come on in and meet Marcus Grady. He will be my new general manager.” “Are you not planning to be here anymore?” Conor asked. “Ah, well, my second granddaughter is due to be born next week and I really want to spend more time with them. Don’t worry. I will still be keeping an eye on Marcus here.” Conor nodded to the thin gentleman seated at the desk. Mr. Grady had short brown hair and smooth tan skin. He carried himself like a professional and had an air about him that made someone want to trust him just by looking at him. Conor held out his hand, “Mr. Grady.” Mr. Grady stood and eagerly shook Conor’s hand, “It’s great to meet you! Mr. Matthews has told me some about you. Honestly, I didn’t realize you w
The next morning, Conor found Kerrigan already waiting in the conference room with Faolan laying at her feet under the table. “Thank you for being here. I think it will be good to have your input as I try to find Anna’s replacement.” He took a seat beside her and pet Faolan between the ears before flipping open a notepad. “Of course! Besides, if we can find a good agent, perhaps I can borrow them for some of my own projects with Dragon Corporation once that whole mess is settled,” Kerrigan said. “And any you don’t pick, I might just poach,” She said teasingly. Conor shook his head, “I never know if you are my friend or my biggest competition.” Kerrigan smiled at him, “Perhaps friendly competition? Iron sharpens iron after all. Think of me as being the one you test your mettle against. I promise you this, I have no intention of harming you or Vokrizin, even if Dragon Corporation is your competition.” Conor smiled back in acknowledgment and waited patiently for Mr. Nuri, Jarad, and
Then Moss’s voice rose several levels, “Hin Sil Oblivion! Oblaan Fin Lo!” His hand flicked and a small knife flew at Parker, another at Evelynn. Parker slid to the side, slapping at the spinning dagger. It embedded itself in the wall a hairs breath from where his ear had been. Evelynn tried to spring for Kerrigan but the dagger tossed at her had pinned her shirt collar to the wall and the blade sunk deep into the drywall behind her. As the assassin drew more daggers, Faolan darted under the table and bit the man’s leg as he took aim at Kerrigan. Moss let out a howl of pain and the blade flew wide. Conor heard a scream to his left and spun toward Kerrigan only to see Jarad fall backward out of his chair clutching his chest, a small blade sticking out. The assassin pulled another blade, doing his best to stabilize himself with Faolan tearing into his leg. As he pulled back for a toss, Conor grabbed the table and shoved all his weight against it, sliding it across the floor into the
Conor heard the door close softly and turned as he heard Kerrigan’s soft voice behind him. “Why?” The word was barely a whisper as her legs shook and lost all strength. Conor caught her in his arms, startled at her sudden distress. He carefully lowered them both into an oversized chair, pulling Kerrigan into his lap, “What do you mean, Eibhlin?” She looked up at Conor with pleading eyes. “Why are people always trying to kill me?!” Kerrigan curled up against his chest, pulling her knees up as the tears flowed, “I try to help people, I try to make their lives better. I thought my staff loved me and what I was doing for them and the people of Targu, but people keep trying to kill me!” Conor had never been this close to Kerrigan before. She fit perfectly on his lap, like she was made for him. It was difficult to focus on what she was saying when all he wanted to do was kiss her tears away and hold her close. As her words finally registered, he fought a wave of rising anger at the thou