Arete Technologies wasn’t always the powerhouse it is today. Nathan didn’t build the company on his own, either; Janine and Albin played vital roles. But how did Nathan and Janine meet to start this fierce pack?

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Chapter 1

Invite

Lonely Man – Elvis Presley

2010—

Nathan stepped into the windowless office he shared with his adviser, business partner, and friend, Albin Conrad.

Cell phone to his ear, Albin glanced over his shoulder at Nathan. “Yes, I understand,” the blond young man continued in the tone of the long-suffering, persecuted-yet-patient saint—a tone his half British, half fly-over-country-USA accent lent credence to. “But I have paperwork that I must—” He broke off as the person at the other end turned on. His glacial-blue gaze bored into the wall before him.

Nathan sauntered to his own desk. He’d piled cardboard copy-paper boxes on it to convert it to a standing desk. He shuffled through his inbox, which conveniently sat near Albin’s territory.

If Nathan kept his breathing shallow, he could just make out the voice who had dared to cut off Albin Conrad. Though only twenty-four years old, the man caused those he conversed with to instinctively hurry to their point. He would do the interrupting.

“—It’s been two years since the last one.” Female, young, confident “It’ll be fun. I’ll even get one of my friends to bring their dog—”

“I appreciate the accommodation,” Albin slid in as a lead-up to his refusal, “but I have no choice but to finish the final paperwork before Monday. Thus, Friday will be quite impossible. However, I will be honored to accompany you to any restaurant or venue in the city after I discharge my obligations.” The cool finality would have reduced anyone but the staunchest Long Islander to agreement, even if they opposed the idea with the same intensity with which they opposed killing kittens.

“That would be lovely, Albin. I won’t go to any clubs; I know how you despise them.” Gentle ribbing in the voice.

“Very good.” Albin settled back in his chair with the air of a victorious negotiator.

“So, I’ll expect you this Friday evening at, say, 7:30.” Not a question.

Albin pushed his wire-rims onto his forehead to facilitate him massaging his temples. “I said—”

“Go on,” Nathan interrupted in a stage whisper. He grinned.

Albin covered the phone’s mic. “But, sir—”

“I don’t have any plans this weekend. I can handle the paperwork. It’s nothing you have to bother with. Go have fun.”

Normally, killer robots from the dystopian future displayed more emotion than Albin. However, Nathan’s sacrifice elicited an expression of despair that carried over to wilt the attorney’s shoulders a fraction.

“I—” Albin turned back to the phone. “I suppose I can find a way to attend for a short time.” The defeat limited itself to his dour expression, sparing his words.

“Thanks so much. I’ll make sure you have a good time. This means a lot to me. You’re a major reason I’m here. Your help is invaluable.”

“You are most welcome. I shall see you at 7:30 sharp.”

“You always are. Talk to you later. Love you.”

“Yes.”

As Albin pressed the End button, his gaze dragged from the wall, toward Nathan. As it approached its target, it hardened to a glare.

“Who was that?” Nathan asked, ignoring the baleful look from his adviser. “You have a girlfriend?” The grin returned as Nathan slapped his friend on the back. “You’ve been holding out on me!”

“Sir”—Albin insisted on the term of respect—“while I appreciate your efforts to allow me what you consider a social life—”

“Don’t you want to go to a soirée with your significant other?”

“That was Janine, not a romantic interest.”

“Oh, your cousin Janine?” Albin had mentioned her on and off, but he kept his private life, well, private for the most part.

Albin cast a look of exasperation toward Heaven. “She is not my cousin. My father’s brother married Janine’s second cousin once removed. We share no blood.”

“I see.” Nathan folded his arms, then ran the side of his thumb along the edge of his goatee. “She seems like a capable negotiator.”

“Yes.” Albin returned his phone to his hip pocket.

“But if she’s related to you, that’s no surprise. What’s the party celebrating, anyway?”

“She is graduating summa cum laude with an Associate in Arts from NYU. She will be continuing her education as she seeks degrees in marketing and psychology.” He moved to his outbox to recheck a document.

Nathan let out a low whistle. “Motivated and intelligent. Impressive.”

Albin set the papers aside and looked up at his colleague with a thoughtful expression. “Mr. Serebus, would you like to accompany me to the gathering and meet Janine?”

Excitement prickled along Nathan’s spine. Look indifferent. If he didn’t, he risked earning Albin’s subtle mockery for the next week. “If she doesn’t mind. I do enjoy a good party.” Not the alcohol or drugs—unless he wanted to spend the night vomiting violently.

“I will consult her, but I see no reason why she would object.” The slight smile Albin wore indicated he had won a victory.

Chapter 2

Partners

Money – Oh The Larceny

Nathan drummed his fingers on the highest box of his desk pile as he glared at the computer monitor. The verdict on which company won the bid would come out at 3:00. One minute from now. Fuck it all, if his fledgling company lost this project, he would be hard-pressed to pay for office space. If he couldn’t pay for office space and employees, how could he land jobs? No jobs meant no money.

“We bid as low as we could,” he murmured.

Muscles trembling, mouth as dry as if he faced a verdict of guilty or innocent, he stared at the clock. Come on, come on! 2:59 . . . 3:00! He hit Refresh on the email server.

Yes! Holding his breath, he opened the new message.

We are pleased to report that Harp Technologies has won the bid. We thank the other groups that submitted—

“Fucking hell!” The keyboard flew across the room as Nathan’s fist slammed into the cardboard box. “Fucking—” He stomped the box, then kicked it across the room. It ricocheted off the wall at him. His fist drew back again, but he stopped short of blasting it through the sheetrock. He couldn’t afford to repair the wall or his hand. He stood, shaking with rage, breathing hard through his teeth. Fury roared in his ears like waves crashing against cliffs.

“Sir?” The word filtered through the surf. “Mr. Serebus?”

A touch on Nathan’s shoulder. He whirled. The hand stopped his shoulder and his momentum, though. Albin locked gazes with him, cold blue steadying dark brown.

“I saw the email,” Albin related. He pushed away from Nathan, heading for the wreckage.

Nathan beat him to the keyboard. “Albin,” he sighed, “you know our financial situation. I’m going to keep fighting, but . . . It tears my heart out to say it, but I suggest you find a full-time job. I can’t afford to pay your salary.” He plowed on through the slough of humiliation, “I honestly can’t afford to pay mine and the rent.” Last week’s went to pay his other employee. “I’ll likely have to sell the shop.” He used setting the keyboard on his desk as a pretext for avoiding Albin’s eyes.

“I am a partner in this company, sir. I believe selling the shop may be a wise idea. It will provide a small amount of capital. That was its purpose, was it not?”

“Yes, but I wanted to build it up. I’ll barely recoup my losses.” Nathan turned to face him. “I’ll repay your investment.” He stood tall. “I keep my deals. And I keep fighting. I just don’t want you to get hurt. Go find more promising opportunities. Take a full-time position with your firm. With your alma mater and GPA—”

“I am well aware of the options open to me.” Albin pressed the cardboard box together so it fit in the recycle bin. “That is not the route I choose. As for a salary, simply keep me on retainer.”

Nathan looked at him.

“Give me a dollar, sir.” Hand out toward Nathan.

“What the—”

“A quarter, then. Come.” Albin twitched his fingers.

“This is ridiculous,” Nathan muttered, but he produced his wallet and a quarter.

“Thank you.” Albin pocketed the coin. “Now, I have learned of another project accepting contractors. I believe we can make a low bid. We will break even. It will be enough to keep us functioning, a zombie corporation of sorts.” His expression registered no emotion.

“I suppose a walking corpse is better than a cremated one. At any rate, it will stave off the bill collectors for another month. Every day we exist, we have another chance to win.” He grinned despite the weight of failure. Already the defeat faded in the light of new prospects.

Albin gave a nod like a coach watching his player push through the last rep of a workout.

Nathan cocked his head as he leaned one hip against his desk. “Harp Technologies is owned by Neil Crevan, correct?”

“Sir, I believe I know where this line of questioning is proceeding.”

“No, no.” Nathan put in, hand up. “I wasn’t going to ask you to speak with him. I was simply wondering if you knew anyone in Harp. Or for that matter in the R&D departments of Crevan’s other subsidiaries?”

Albin straightened his glasses with thumb and ring finger. “I can approach a few acquaintances in the legal department. I never had occasion to mingle with members of Research and Development.”

“No, I suppose you wouldn’t,” Nathan agreed as he hefted a copy paper box, this one full. The office doubled as a supply closet. “I’ll have to return to the drawing board for strategies.”

“We have not yet exhausted our options.”

“Say,” Nathan brightened as a thought on the new topic occurred, one far more pleasant than the one at hand, “what did Janine say about me coming to that party on Friday?”

“Ah, yes.” Albin wore the same calculating partial smile he had when he invited Nathan. “She said she would be quite pleased to meet the man she has heard so much about.”

Nathan chuckled. “I hope you’ve been telling her only good things.”

“Come now, sir,” Albin responded with a smirk, “you know I do not lie to family members.” Then he sobered. “I have a suspicion that you two will get along quite well.”

“Your suspicions are rarely wrong. I would say they’re 98% correct. I hope this is not in the 2%.” Nathan backfisted his friend playfully on the shoulder.

Chapter 3

Introductions

Nathan pulled his Acura Integra into the parking lot of the event’s venue. Ahead, a winding gravel path led through a stand of artfully arranged trees. Beyond it lay the lake and its attendant structures. So said the website, anyway.

He unfolded his six-foot-two frame from the vehicle. Not a Bentley, but it sufficed. He rarely drove in the city. That’s why they made public transportation: driving posed a risk to one’s health, and locating a parking space posed a risk to one’s bank account and sanity.

He pulled the hem of his black Under Armor T-shirt down. Albin said the party was an informal gathering. But “informal” by Albin’s standards could mean a suit sans tie.

He also claimed no gift was required. He stated that according to Janine, she had all she wanted, and dealing with trinkets and the general gratitude they required would only complicate her life. He had further stated she worded this more politely for her guests.

Nathan leaned against the vehicle’s blue fuselage, reaching into his pocket. He produced his phone, but it showed no text messages.

A moment later, Albin’s black Nissan Altima rolled into the lot. Nathan ambled toward it. Albin stepped out, making eye contact with his friend as he did. The blond wore Dockers and a button-down. Come to think of it, Nathan had never seen him in anything less formal than this.

“What took so long?” Nathan kidded.

“Limiting myself to five miles over the speed limit, sir.”

“If you’d ridden with me—”

“You would not have been able to stay as long as you pleased.”

“Good point.” And a good way of avoiding the debate about who should drive.

The men walked side-by-side up the path. It carried them through the landscaping and up to the entry gates. They gave their names to the guard, who then waved them through.

Nathan strolled, taking in the scenery. Ahead sprawled the covered wooden deck, which protruded into the lake. Strands of party lights hung from the rafters along the edge, but at 7:30 on a May evening, they would not come into play until a few hours later. A buffet table stood before the all-purpose building that hosted the hall for if the weather turned inclement.

A number of people had already arrived, eager to begin their Friday-night revelry. They stood or sat in clutches, laughing and talking.

Pop music filled the air but at a tolerable volume. Perhaps later he could convince the DJ to play something with more of a beat.

“There.” Albin nodded to a group of kids in their early twenties. At the center, like an energetic queen presiding over her paramours and courtiers, stood a young woman with flaming red hair and flashing green eyes. She laughed at something one of her friends said, and elbowed a dark-haired girl next to her. The girl smiled in response, but her attention remained on the redhead.

“That’s Janine—the redhead in the tank top?” Nathan shifted his tone so it held only a request for confirmation, not the approval her beauty and confidence inspired.

“It is. The girl at her left is her . . .”

“What?”

Albin’s expression closed even more than normal, the vault lock clicking into place.

Then it hit home. “Wait a minute, you mean her girlfriend?” He should have asked earlier. Fuck, when he was growing up, girls went with guys, and guys went with girls. But what did he expect in this day and age, and in this city? Not that he wanted to date her, but—well, no matter. If she graduated with top marks and planned to follow the course Albin had described, she should make a fine conversationalist. At any rate, the party should host a number of other intelligent people. Some might even prove useful business contacts.

“Janine parted ways with her boyfriend two months ago,” Albin was saying.

Shit, had Nathan missed anything important? “On her terms?”

“Everything is always on her terms.” Albin smirked. Respect shone in his eyes as he regarded the young woman. “She has taken up with . . . this one”—nod to the girlfriend—“only recently. Her father disapproves, which is all the reason she needs to continue. In fact, it is a motivating force in many of her actions.” Rather than disapproval, a cool pride suffused Ablin’s statement.

“At odds with her old man, eh?” Nathan gave a wolf grin. “A woman after my own heart.”

“We shall see. Come.” The attorney stepped forward, and Nathan moved to come abreast of his friend.

As they stepped onto the deck, Janine turned. Her face lit like an angel’s in a Renaissance painting when she spotted her relative. “Albin!” She took him by the shoulders, stood on tiptoes, and kissed him on each cheek in a European greeting.

He favored her with a smile. Receiving a smile from Albin ranked as frequent an occurrence as seeing an eclipse. “Janine.” He gave her a light kiss on the forehead. As she stood roughly five-six, she proved the perfect height for this. “It is delightful to see you again.”

“I’m so glad you were able to come. And this must be Nathan.” She turned her glittering emerald eyes on him.

He gave her a nod and a friendly smile. “Albin’s told me impressive things about you. Summa cum laude, correct?”

She laughed, her voice sparkling like shards of ice. “I hope he hasn’t been making me seem like some sort of Evil Genius. But yes, he’s right. And he says you’re in the technology field. He also tells me you’re quite the businessman.” She gave him a slight wink that may or may not have indicated sarcasm.

“I don’t know what he’s been telling you, but I know I trust his words.” Nathan patted Albin on the shoulder.

This turned Janine’s attention to the other man. “Albin, we should have had one of these get-togethers when you graduated with your JD. It was only a few weeks ago.”

He shook his head. “No, thank you. Perhaps when I am finished with my MBA.”

“Then it’s a deal,” she announced. “When I graduate with at least one Bachelor degree and you have that Masters, we’ll do this again. Or, since it’s my idea, we’ll do anything you want.”

He gave a short laugh. “Yes. Perhaps.”

Janine’s girlfriend eyed the two men with suspicion. Nathan caught her gaze and gave a slight nod. She forced a smile.

“Now,” Janine declared, “why don’t you two get some refreshments and mingle. Albin, my friend with the dog will be here soon.” A teasing smile flickered across her lips.

+++

After Nathan and Albin visited the buffet table, Albin introduced his employer to a few of the attendees. Then, having exhausted his supply of knowledge regarding Janine’s friends, he retreated to the dog Janine had promised.

Nathan watched as Albin petted the Labradoodle and made conversation with its owners. They handed over the leash a moment later. Nathan had never seen Albin at a social function before. No wonder the attorney avoided them, the poor introvert.

With a shrug and a half smile, Nathan turned to pursue his true objective. Janine and her girlfriend chatted with another couple, male and female. He strolled over in the casual yet purposeful manner of a lone partygoer in need of social interaction.

As he approached, Janine greeted him. “Nathan, I was just about to meander your way. Are you enjoying everything? Is the food all right?”

He smiled. It certainly beat cold pizza. “Yes, this is a very enjoyable event. It seems even Albin is having a good time.”

“He’s always been a wallflower. But he makes time for me.” Janine put her hand on her girlfriend / shadow’s shoulder. “Could you check with the wait staff and make sure they’re going to bring out the drinks on time? Thanks.” She didn’t wait for a response before she returned to Nathan. “The view of the lake’s much better over there.” She motioned for him to accompany her to the other end of the deck.

“What are you planning to do once you graduate with your degrees in psychology and marketing?” he asked. “Is there a company or position you have your eye on?”

“I like to keep my options open. According to Albin, so do you.” She glanced at him, her green eyes glinting in the fading sun’s flames.

“I try. Adapt or die, they say in the business world.”

“He said you recently lost a bid. I’m sorry to hear that.”

Not as sorry as I was. He shrugged. “It’s the nature of business. But we keep fighting.” What else had Albin told her? Surely he hadn’t mentioned their painful financial situation.

“I imagine. And in case you think Albin discusses everything with me,” she paused to lean against the railing, “he only mentioned it because you lost it to my father.”

Nathan blinked. “Really? I’m not sure who your father is.”

She chuckled. “I suppose Albin never got around to telling you my last name. It’s Crevan. Neil Crevan is my father.”

“Neil—he owns Harp Technologies. I knew Albin was acquainted with him, but I had no idea—” Shut up! Stop babbling. “Well, yes, he out bid us.”

“Mm. He does that a lot.” She wrinkled her nose as if she smelled a dead skunk.

“It’s business.” It wouldn’t do to mention her dislike for her father. At least, not yet. Why bother befriending R&D when he had the boss’s daughter?

“I bet you’d like to win against him, huh?” She arched her right brow. She eyed him, like a convict sizing up a new inmate. Or so 1950s movies would have one believe.

“I would like to win against anyone if it means I get the contract. I will do quite a lot to gain an advantage.” He gave her a half smile.

“You should. It’s the only way to survive. Eat or be eaten, right?” Then she grinned. “Sorry, I tend to get deep and heavy quickly. But if you hang out with Albin, you must be all right with that. And if you can hold his interest and respect, then that is quite a reference.”

“Thank you. If you can out-negotiate him and drag him to a party, then that’s quite the point in your favor as well.”

“I—” She leaned to the side to see past him. A look of wily victory flashed across her face. “Look who it is: my ex.”

Nathan pivoted on the ball of his foot. A lanky kid in his late teens or early twenties marched in. He wore the leather pants of a motorcycle rider, and the Nine Inch Nails T-shirt of someone in need of an updated music collection. Girls would probably call him handsome—in a weedy, barely-passed-puberty way. Tattoos marred his neck and forearms. He probably even had them on his calves. Nathan snorted. Neil Crevan likely hadn’t approved of this twit any more than he approved of Janine’s girlfriend. Which, according to Albin, likely explained why she once dated this sad excuse for a man.

Just then, the girlfriend in question broke off from speaking with the headwaiter. She zeroed in on the ex like a territorial fowl and stormed up to him. They exchanged words, but the music and distance rendered them only tones: annoyance from her, entitlement from him.

Nathan looked over at Janine, who watched the pair with pleased amusement.

“One minute,” she instructed him, raising her hand in a polite pause gesture.

She headed toward the pair. “Jason.” Business-like tone. “I’m glad you could make it. You are welcome to stay, but you have to play nice.”

At the other end of the deck, Albin began to approach with the Labradoodle. He moved with the idle gait of one uninterested in his destination, but the set of his shoulders and jaw indicated he would not tolerate any interference with his relation.

Jason the Punk looked from Janine to the girlfriend, then back to Janine. “You dumped me for her?” He jabbed a finger at the replacement.

Janine held his gaze like a serpent staring down a mouse, despite the five inches he had on her. “No. I dumped you for myself.”

“So now you’re better than me?”

No surprise what would come in three, two—“Yes,” Janine responded as if he’d asked if snow was cold.

Nathan winced inwardly.

“I’m sorry, but our interests have diverged to the point where being a couple is no longer necessary. Nor is it feasible.”

Nathan sauntered closer, nearer than the range of a casual bystander. He regarded the punk, his right hand loose and ready to snap into a fist.

Disbelief splintered the ex’s mask of bravado. “But . . . what am I going to do without you? I love you.”

“You’ll survive. And no, you lusted after me. A lot of people do.” She smirked.

“I—I don’t know what I’m going to do.” The biker shook his head. “Please. I don’t deserve this.” Then his shoulders hunched as his expression hardened. “I don’t deserve this at all.”

“I think we should just be friends. Now, are you going to behave, or should I call security?” Janine folded her arms, left hand on right bicep, right hand under left bicep. Bouncers took this stance as a way of looking casual yet remaining ready to neutralize the threat. “Don’t make a scene, Jason.”

Nathan glared at the bastard. Jason looked up at him, then down at Janine, then at the girlfriend, then over at Albin. With a growl, he turned on his heel. “Have fun, fagots. I’ll get a real woman.”

As he passed the security guards, who remained suspicious, Janine commented, “I don’t think there are any real women who would be satisfied with your lack of testosterone and ambition.”

Jason apparently didn’t hear. He stomped into the night.

Albin drew up beside Janine even as Nathan came abreast of her.

“I can’t believe,” the girlfriend was saying, “he had the nerve to come here. After all—”

“I invited him,” Janine replied in an airy tone. She shook her head. “He really couldn’t keep my interest. I haven’t met any eligible man who could, really.” She gave Nathan a smirk. A challenge? Well, he could make it one. Especially since they seemed to share the same boat in regard to uninteresting companions of the opposite sex.

“Janine!” A woman’s voice echoed in glad greeting. The quartet turned. A woman in her very early forties and with long, light brown hair strode toward them. She beamed at Janine. The family resemblance between the two left no doubt as to woman’s identity

“Mom, I’m so glad you can make it.”

“Thank you for inviting me. Good work sending that lay-about on his way, dear.”

The two embraced, then Janine pulled back. “Mom, I’d like to introduce Nathan Serebus. Nathan, this is my mom, Annette.”

“It’s wonderful to finally meet you,” Annette greeted Nathan, hand out.

“A pleasure,” he responded, shaking her hand. She had a firm grip.

She possessed the air of one accustomed to commanding respect and wielding authority. Like mother like daughter. And what did she mean by “finally”?

“Albin has mentioned you,” she explained as if reading his thoughts. “You sound like quite the ambitious young entrepreneur.”

“Evidently I was ambitious enough to hold Albin’s interest.” Nathan gave the blond a nod of thanks.

Annette addressed the girlfriend: “Amy, would you kindly give us a family moment? Thank you, you’re dear.” She patted her on the shoulder, half pushing her out of personal-space range.

Nathan stepped back. “I’ll leave you three—”

“No, Nathan, not you.” She waved him back.

The unease that occurs when finding oneself the only non-relative member of a group prickled over Nathan. Ah well, apparently she had adopted him for the moment.

“I’m so proud of you, Janine,” Annette congratulated her daughter, giving her a one-armed hug. “And you, Albin. You are a remarkable young man.” He received the embrace from the other arm, looking satisfied and proud. Then Annette’s forest-green gaze locked on Nathan. “You mind your manners around these two, do you hear me?” And then she broke into a smile. “They don’t need any more ideas on how to be troublemakers.”

“Mother!” Janine reproached.

Albin flushed slightly under his usual pallor.

“It’s a shame you couldn’t beat my ex-husband on that bid, Nathan, but I suppose there will be other times.”

“Yes, ma’am,” was the best response his shell-shocked mind could produce.

“Well,” Annette forged on, “I’ll let you three get on with your night. I’m going to say hello to a few of your friends, and then I’ll be on my way. I may even beat Albin out of a party. That would be first. Hah!” She nudged the man in question with her elbow. He wore a sheepish smile.

After the three offered their goodnights, the matriarch swept away.

“And now you know my mom,” Janine remarked with a lopsided grin at Nathan.

“I rather like her. She and my mother would have gotten along well.”

Chapter 4

Chats

Nathan dropped to one knee to scratch the Labradoodle’s neck. The dog wagged its tail. “Say, Janine,” he began in his patented off-handed tone that Albin had long ago learned to regard with suspicion, “there’s a lecture on Psychology in the Marketplace that’s open to the public on your NYU campus this Wednesday evening. Would you like to accompany me?”

“Are you asking me on a date?” Janine cut to the chase.

Nathan ignored Abin’s eye-rolling. “No. I would have invited Albin, but he has a class for his MBA that night. I happened to see that lecture while I was looking for technology talks. They’re also having a debate on the Ethics of Politics and the Media next weekend.”

An expression of partial amusement and suspicion in place, Janine eyed him. “Sounds like it could be interesting.”

“What’s your number?” they asked simultaneously.

Laughing, Janine pulled her phone out. “I’ll text you.”

“Don’t worry, Janine,” Albin put in, “he is quite well behaved and actually very engaging when the mood strikes him.”

“Thanks, old friend.” Nathan pretended offense.

Still smiling, Albin excused himself.

###

Nathan slid into his Acura. Once on the road, he deployed his cell phone and put it on speaker.

The call’s recipient answered it on the third ring. “Yes, sir?”

“Albin, where has your cousin—”

“She is not my cousin.”

“—been all my life? And why didn’t you say she was such a fascinating person?”

“She has been in high school, and because she is only now nineteen years of age.” Amusement that came at the expense of another’s ignorance glowed and Albin’s voice.

“Nineteen?” Holy fuck, barely out of jail-bait range. “Really? I would have sworn she was at least twenty-one. We had some highly engaging conversations.”

“Allow me to hazard a guess at the topics: sex, religion, and politics.”

“You know me too well. She’s quite in line with my own views.” Rare in a New York female from the upper classes. Not that he mingled with many of that sort, of course.

“I would hardly have invited you if you two were going to butt heads the entire evening.”

“You are ever the forward thinker.” Nathan smiled at the dark road ahead.

“Good luck on your date. Or, rather, your excursion.”

“I’m quite looking forward to it.”

###

The next morning, Janine took her usual seat in her usual café. It nestled in an older part of the city. Her booth overlooked the street, which at this time of day bustled with activity: shoppers going their way, unlucky workers manning the weekend shift, tourists gawking at the towering buildings. She stirred her latte absently.

“Good morning, darling.”

At her mother’s greeting, Janine looked up with a smile. “Mom.”

They hugged, then sat down to their respective coffees. Janine’s mother had gone with her standard choice of black with creamer. She eschewed the flavorings, and claimed the espresso gave her a headache if she drank it too early in the morning.

“Well? How did the party go?” She used the I’m not nearly as interested as you think I am tone that had long ago failed to elicit answers from Janine that she would not have otherwise volunteered.

“It went well. Jason didn’t show up again. Amy was fairly engaging. She doesn’t get along with several of my friends, but that’s not my problem.”

“I see.” Other mothers would have asked, Why her? Though the woman’s eyes betrayed her curiosity, she remained silent.

“It’s not just because Dad hates the idea of me going with a girl. We like some of the same things, and we are both available.” Those sounded like excuses to carpool together, not reasons to date.

“Mmm.”

“It’s not like I’m in love. I wasn’t in love with Jason, either. But, my goodness, did Dad ever turn red when he first saw him.”

Both women laughed.

“Yes, your father hates the ‘bad boy’ type. But I’m certainly not sad you two parted ways.”

Janine sighed. “I’m not trying to cause a mess in these people’s lives—or hurt them. And I know it’s not all about me. Relationships start out fine, but then it turns out everyone’s just so . . . dull.” I should stop before I look like an utter self-centered jerk. She should stop now before she talked herself into a life as an Old Maid. Not that it would be so bad. Maybe get a cat—no, one cat led to two, which led to five, which led to fifty. Before long, Old Maid transformed into Crazy Old Cat Lady. “Maybe I just need to take a break from people. Just focus on my studies, you know?” She looked into her mother’s eyes, green like her own.

“You do have a lot on your plate.” Her mom sipped the coffee. “I certainly wouldn’t blame you.”

Janine stared into the distance, across the street. A Coke ad dominated one of the billboards. A slight smile formed on her lips. In the winter, Coke used a polar bear as its ambassador. Nathan came from Alaska. When she’d asked if he’d ever seen a polar bear, he said of course. He’d seen lots of bears, wolves, moose, and all manner of freakishly large creatures that occupy the frozen tundra. He said that where he came from, eagles outnumbered seagulls.

“What are you thinking about?” her mother asked, quiet.

Still smiling, Janine shook her head. “Nothing.”

“Oh?”

“Seagulls, I guess. And eagles.”

“They’re both scavengers—and predators.”

“And smart.”

“Did you get a chance to talk to Nathan Serebus very much?”

Janine’s spoon missed a stroke. “Actually, yes. We had a very nice chat on a number of topics.” Her mother didn’t need to know about their plan to go to the lecture. The older woman would take it as a date. And another relationship that would end quickly.

“It’s such a shame he lost that latest bid. But I suppose that’s how business works.”

“That’s what he said. But . . .”

“I’m sure your father wouldn’t approve of him either,” Janine’s mother laughed. “Not the right social standing or upbringing. Not enough money.”

“Oh, he’s still young. He has plenty of time to make his millions.” Janine gave her mother a smirk.

“Yes, there are a lot of options for those with the business sense to see them. And those with the right connections.”

“Mom.” Janine balanced her spoon across the top of her cup. “Are you thinking the same thing I am?”

“It wouldn’t surprise me in the least, dear. You do share half my genetic code, and I did raise you.”

“I never like to waste opportunities,” Janine continued, “and this one is quite attractive.”

Chapter 5

Insider

Nathan and Janine exited the lecture hall, walking side by side. After they cleared the crowd, Nathan smiled down at his companion. “Did you have fun?”

“I had a marvelous time.” She returned the smile.

“Excellent.”

They started down the sidewalk, heading toward a grassy area on campus. “That was quite fascinating about the law of reciprocity,” Nathan remarked. “I’ve heard of it, of course”—and used it on occasion—“but I hadn’t heard it put that way before.”

“It really makes you think about the strange and varied ways you can be manipulated. It makes sense, especially when he put it in the terms of suitors giving gifts to their dates.”

“It’s human nature.”

They walked in a comfortable silence for a moment. Nathan shoved his hands in his pockets as he looked about at the campus. Not University of Alaska in Anchorage, but it had its charm.

“Well,” Janine continued, “is there anything different you’re going to do in your business practice now?”

Would that he could afford a large marketing budget with which to play! Yes, when sales declined, one needed to spend more on advertising, but in his field, the fertilizer of ads only went so far. “I’ll have to sleep on it.

“His idea of dealing with the person in charge rather than employees has its merits. The problem is trying to speak with that person.” If he could have spoken with the person in charge of Harp Technologies’s bidding—

“Nathan,” Janine started in a tone that heralded a question on a delicate matter, “what projects are you bidding on next?”

“I . . . There are several.”

“I bet you’d like to know what my dad’s companies are bidding on, huh.” Her face and voice betrayed no emotion. No mocking, teasing, or trickery.

“Any contractor wants to know who their competitors are and what their offers will be. There’s only so much I can do to undercut them, but it lets me know if I should even bother bidding.” Damn it, he shouldn’t have said that. It looked weak. “Then again, all they can do is say yes or no.” He shrugged. “Bidding doesn’t cost anything; I know the expenses my work will entail, so formulating a proposal isn’t difficult.”

“Here.” She pulled a folded sheet of paper from her pocket.

Nathan received it, slowing as he unfolded it. His brows rose. “This is a list of projects your father’s companies are bidding on. At least, I assume. Harp is one.”

“Any of them match your projects?”

No, because he’d bid on lower-cost, lower-competition contracts. A name stood out: Charles Frack. As in, Senator Frack, Democrat, of New York? “What about this one?” Fuck, if the fledgling Arete Technologies could land that whale—“It’s the senator, right?”

“I know my dad’s been talking a lot about that one. He really wants the contract, and not because it’s big. It’s actually fairly limited. He really wants Frack on his side.”

“You mean he—your father—wants some sort of tax deal or project funding?”

Janine nodded.

“Thank you for this.” Nathan slid the paper into his pocket as he resumed his normal pace. “But why would you—”

“I like to see him squirm sometimes,” she chuckled.

“You really don’t get along with him, do you.” No crime in that.

She dismissed the thought with a wave. “It’s just my way of keeping him on his toes. I keep him young.”

“I did a bit of Googling, and I read he’s had health issues. Is he expected to recover?” Losing one’s parent hurt more than anything he could imagine. Mom . . . A pang in his heart. Shadows prowled the edges of his mind. The Wolves. No, not now—and not Janine.

She looked away. “They don’t know. But I suppose we all have to die sometime of something.”

“You could put it that way.” Now a very uncomfortable silence fell.

He cleared his throat, but Janine beat him to changing the topic: “Any ideas on how you’ll win the bid for that Frack contract?”

“I would have to look into it.” Of course he had ideas. But he certainly wasn’t going to air them abroad. For all he knew, Janine might work with her father and now she attempted to set him up for a fall. Highly unlikely, considering her and Albin’s relationship, but sometimes you couldn’t tell. Janine seemed the type to play with her food—and her friends.

He gave a soft grunt and reached for his phone as if it had alerted. “Excuse me.” He opened the text messenger. One-handed, he typed, Your cousin told me about Harp’s next bid: Senator Chuck Frack. Is she playing me?

He slipped it back into his pocket. If she asked, he had remembered something he needed to tell Albin about the business. But she didn’t ask.

Thirty seconds later, his phone did buzz. Text message. One word: Perhaps. Then another: She is not my cousin.

“You know,” Nathan mused, “it’s occurred to me that the law of reciprocity can be used in different ways than simply giving free coffee or promotional items.”

“What’s your idea?” Her green eyes sparkled with interest.

“Do you know how Donald Trump got into Le Club in New York City when he first moved to Manhattan, even though no one knew him at the time and he was only twenty-seven?” Nathan’s age.

“Mm. He said he wanted to give the president of the club something and needed to talk to him directly. Then he kept talking until the president agreed to meet him.” She delivered the obscure fact and Nathan’s punch line as if relating the subway timetable.

Nathan blinked. “Excellent.”

She looked up at him with satisfaction. “I like to hear about how great men became great. Their psychology is fascinating. And one of the best ways to achieve an end is to imitate those who’ve done it well, right?”

“You truly are amazing, do you know that?” A grin of pride came to his face, as if they had scored the winning point for their team together.

She shrugged. “I think ambition is important. You have it. I want to help you.”

“To toy with your father?”

She grew sober, calculating. “What’s it matter to you, as long as you win the bid?”

“True enough, but motive speaks louder than words.” He matched her stony expression.

They locked stares. Then a student late for class jostled Nathan’s elbow, breaking the competition.

The soul-enlightening grin returned to Janine’s face. Her white teeth flashed. “I can see why Albin partnered with you.”

Chapter 6

Confrontation

Yawning, Nathan rubbed his eyes as he attempted to focus on the article on the computer screen. Even the device’s blue light was having a challenge keeping him conscious. But to get to bed, he’d have to make it all the way across the apartment living room. Ah, he would require a slight nap first. Yes, just a few minutes, then he would have the energy to go to bed.

Darkness enveloped him as he closed his eyes.

Howling rang in his ears like wind through pine trees. Then it grew more distinct, like wolves.

Darkness all around. Then points of light above. Stars. He looked down. White as far as the eye could see. Snow.

The howls increased in volume. Dark shapes materialized at the edges of his view.

Wolves.

Then ahead of him golden eyes blazed. A wolf as big as the world, as big as the sky, loomed before him. It stood on its hind legs like a man but with all the features of a wolf.

Life for life, it breathed—in his mind, not his hearing. Have you forgotten?

Nathan took a step in retreat, but the snow gave way beneath him, sending him onto his back.

Sacrifice. You promised. Life for life.

“I haven’t forgotten. I gave you a life.” Nathan’s heart thundered in chest. Panic washed over him. “You took her. You took my friend, too. You’ve taken others.” Rage sprang up like a flame. “Haven’t you had enough?”

All bleeding stops. All fires dies. But hunger goes on forever. We are not satisfied.

“What can I do?” Nathan struggled to get to his feet, but the snow turned to quicksand.

We are coming.

“No. I don’t have any love. You can’t hurt me if I don’t love. I am a rock.”

And I am the amarok.

The howls resumed, louder than ever. They seemed to laugh. The massive wolf threw back its head and joined the song of the darkness.

Nathan jerked into consciousness. His phone alarm was going off. Shit, he spent the entire night at his desk? Stiff neck and back told him yes.

Sweat soaked his T-shirt. He let out a shaky breath that matched his shaky hands. “Just a dream.” He laughed in relief. “Thank God.”

But what if it wasn’t a dream, the voice of superstition asked.

“I’ve known Albin for two years; the Wolves haven’t done anything to him. I have other friends, and nothing’s happened to them.”

But do you love?

“No, love means pain.” And death. “Just like regret. I don’t do either anymore.”

He certainly didn’t love Janine. At the moment, their relationship resembled a business partnership. At best, they had grown into close acquaintances.

“I’m going nuts.” Growling, he pushed to his feet. Time to get on with his day. He had an appointment with one of the managers at Harp Technologies. The manager just didn’t know it yet.

###

“Did you have a good night,” Amy asked Janine as they walked out of the Student Financial Services building. Amy had needed to complete forms for her financial assistance. Janine went to make sure the university applied her scholarships correctly.

“I had a delightful time.” Janine smiled—it wouldn’t come off, at least not without effort.

Amy eyed her. “And you said all you did was go to a psychology lecture?” The tone suggested she contemplated adding, You didn’t go back to his apartment and fuck?

“It was about marking. It wouldn’t have fit with your Women’s Studies.” This staved off the question on why Janine hadn’t invited Amy.

“And you went with that guy from the party?” Amy made a face, part confusion and part disbelief.

“He’s quite intelligent, unlike a lot of people around here. He’s ambitious and perceptive. That’s a good combination,” she added more to herself than to Amy.

“I thought you were done with guys. I thought we were together now. Tell me you’re not—” She broke off.

The anger in the tone made Janine’s gaze snap to her friend. “Of course we’re not dating. You and I are dating.” It sounded like she needed to remind herself. Frowning, Janine looked away in frustration.

“Look, I know you don’t normally go with girls, so if you want to take this really slow, that’s okay with me.” Amy ran her hand along her laptop bag’s strap. “I don’t want to pressure you. I know Jason tried to pressure you, and that’s part of why you left.”

“He tried to pressure me in the wrong direction.” As if she couldn’t handle pressure!

They proceeded down the sidewalk, toward the public transportation terminal.

“I don’t want to be used,” Amy blurted. “I’ve been used enough.” She hunched her shoulders, tears shining in her eyes.

Janine half growled, half sighed. “I just . . . I don’t know. Maybe I need some time to myself.”

“I get it,” Amy murmured. “It’s me, isn’t it. I have too many issues. I know I’ve got problems, but I’m working on them. It’s just, I never can seem to catch a break. I just get fucked over at every turn.”

There Amy went, making excuses. In the time Janine had known her, had she ever taken responsibility? No.

“Then stop letting life push you around,” Janine exclaimed, throwing her arms out in exasperation. “Take charge. Think things through instead of just jumping at them. Get a plan. You’re in school and it’s paid for. Do you have any idea what you’re going to do after this?” The last time Janine asked, she received the answer, I’m working on it.

“I’m working on it, okay?” Amy snapped. “Having to deal with you stressing me out isn’t helping. If you’re just going to stab me in the back, get it over with.”

“I’m not stabbing you in the back. I’m trying to help you. You won’t take any of my advice.” Perhaps Janine should have attempted to manipulate her. But that wouldn’t have helped the girl in the long run. Give a man a fish and he probably won’t eat it. Teach a man to fish, and he’ll make a mess with fishing line and beer bottles. You couldn’t win.

“I’m not you, Jay. Not everybody is you. I have problems, okay? They’re still getting my meds dialed in.”

“Then take them! Half the time you don’t even attempt to do it right.”

“Why do you blame me for everything?” Amy seemed to struggle with whether to feel hurt or furious. “If society wasn’t so intolerant, I wouldn’t have to be on them in the first place.” Amy glowered, pulling to her full height—an inch below Janine’s.

“Just because you have a hard time sometimes doesn’t make you the perpetual victim. It gets old hearing about it.”

They matched stares for several moments. Then Amy looked away with a muttered, “Fuck.”

Janine sighed. “Look, I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what to tell you. I can’t solve your problems for you.” She could, but Amy wouldn’t listen. Why did everyone find using common sense and intelligence so difficult? Why did everyone have to complicate their lives with their self-inflicted issues?

“Just go with that guy,” Amy ordered with a slicing motion of one hand. “He seems to have gotten you all fucked up.”

“It’s not Nathan,” Janine retorted through clenched teeth.

“We’re back to where we started: it’s me,” Amy riposted, jabbing her thumb at her own chest.

“No, we’re back where we started with Jason. It’s me.” Janine folded her arms across her chest and looked down at the other woman. “I need some time to figure out what I want to do. I have a lot of work ahead of me with my degrees. I need to get things straight. I thought life would be clearer once I graduated, but now it’s worse than ever.” Softening, Janine put a hand on Amy’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. I just need a little time, all right?”

Amy snorted. “Yeah, is that what you told Jason?”

“You heard what I told Jason.” Janine reclaimed her hand. “I don’t need to beat around the bush.”

“Wow, I feel so reassured,” Amy sneered.

“Whatever,” Janine snapped as she stormed off. “It’s not my problem.”

Chapter 7

Fishing

At the office, Nathan pulled a burner cell phone from his desk. Smiling, he dialed.

“Harp Technologies, how can I help you?”

“Hello,” he responded in an alto voice, “my name is Rodger. I’m calling from Senator Charles Frack’s office. I need to speak with the man in charge of Harp’s bid for our project. I need to clarify something with him.”

“All right, I’ll put you through.”

Nathan’s pulse ticked up. His free hand flexed into a fist. Yes!

“Yes, this is Steve Jeffers.”

“Good morning, sir. My name is Rodger; I’m with Senator Frack’s office. I need to get a clarification on your bid. We’re having technical issues today with our phone and computer system. That’s why you might have noticed a different number pop up. I’ll certainly be glad when we get a new set-up,” Nathan chuckled. “I’m not getting reimbursed for my cell phone use. Anyway, could you make sure we have the right information? The file I have here is hand-written, and it says that it’s a bid of 15% before completion, then 20% at a quarter, 20% at half, 20% at three quarters, and the balance on completion. And it’s a bid of twenty thousand.”

“I’m not sure where you got that information, but it’s lower than what we agreed on. I’m going to look up the information to give you the exact numbers. Can I call you back?”

“Yes. Use this line. Thank you.”

Whether or not Jeffers called back, Nathan now had a ballpark. And when you had a ballpark, you could hit home runs.

He switched to his regular phone. He dialed. When the line clicked on—“Albin, I’m doing some scouting.”

“You located a new project, sir?”

“It’s a server, email, and network security setup for Senator Charles Frack’s office. See what you can find on it while I’ll work on my lead. Harp’s bidding on it,” Nathan added.

“Very good, sir.”

As Nathan hung up, his burner rang. Steve supplied the details of the contract. Nathan couldn’t suppress a fist pump.

###

Albin and Janine meandered through the Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park in Upper Manhattan. Janine had opted to go here rather than to a posh restaurant, noisy club, or other more conventional location to celebrate her graduation.

They both enjoyed the Cloisters. It reminded Janine of fantasy books, while Albin said it resembled his half-home country of the United Kingdom. Indeed, when he walked through the medieval architecture, he conjured in Janine’s mind images of regal lords in their castles.

“I had a great time at the lecture, in case you’re wondering,” she volunteered.

“I never doubted that outcome.” He gave a nod of affirmation.

“Nathan’s quite sharp—but you know that already. I gave him a list of projects that Dad is thinking of bidding on. Nathan picked—”

“The Senator Frack project?” Albin cocked a brow as he looked down at her.

“He’s told you, huh?” She grinned.

“I collected information on it for him, and he said he’s pursuing similar research. However, I doubt he is checking publicly-available databases.” He looked smug.

“If he hadn’t picked that one, I would have hinted at it. But he zeroed in on it. It’s so nice not to have to point out the obvious to him.”

“He possesses a knack for homing in on the deals that are the most beneficial to him.”

“I want to see how far he gets without me doing anything more. Now that I’ve started the ball rolling—”

“You are testing him.” No emotion accompanied the statement. Albin merely made an observation.

She shrugged. “He’s testing me. Doesn’t everyone test everyone?”

“Less often than you would think, unfortunately. If more people did, our society would be wiser.”

“Yes.” She looked away as if to study one of the Cloisters’ arches.

“Something is troubling you.” Whether he knew it or not, Albin had the tendency to pose questions as statements, much like her father did. But with Albin, it came across as genuine interest rather than a demand or accusation. He also conveyed the impression of subtle competence. He would assist if necessary, but he would certainly not force his advice on anyone. Maybe he took this route because few people had the brains to listen to him. I know the feeling.

She sighed.

Albin remained quiet. His silence acted as a black hole, pulling information from Janine.

“Albin, it’s about Amy. I’m going to stop seeing her for the time being. I need to get things straight in my head and in my life.” She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.

Impassive, he hummed as an indication that he heard her.

“I’m not going out with Nathan,” she blurted. “I’m not. We’re just friends.”

“Mmm.”

“He’s a very interesting guy.” A smile came unbidden at the thought of their talks. “We’re going to a debate on the Ethics of Politics and the Media this weekend. Do you want to come?”

“A project for one of my classes is due soon; therefore, I must bow out, but with gratitude for the offer.”

“You sure? You’re not being a third wheel.” She elbowed him playfully.

“Yes. I spend more than enough time with Mr. Serebus,” he added with a hint of a smile.

“Listen to you, ‘Mr. Serebus.’ You guys are partners. You only sort of work for him. Just like he sort of works for you.” But that was Albin for you, always polite and dignified.

“I am his attorney. He has me on retainer.” He reached into his hip pocket. A quarter glinted in his palm.

“Wait, is that it?” She burst out laughing. “Either he’s dirt poor, or you’re a terrible attorney!”

“Shall I frame it as the first income I have received from practicing law independently?” He smirked. “With a start this auspicious, I foresee a bright and profitable future ahead of me.”

She reined in her mirth. “A quarter. Oh, if only Dad knew.”

“I have a feeling he will learn soon enough, and he will voice his disapproval.” Albin’s blue eyes sparkled behind his glasses.

“I hope so. Then again, he rarely approves of anything.” The old man knew nothing of fun.

“Your mother is assisting you in some way in ‘the game,’ as you call it, I assume.”

“It’s hard to keep her out of anything she takes a liking to.” Which brought up the question, would she try to bring her daughter and the eligible young bachelor she’d met at the party together? No, Mom was not that overbearing.

“I just want to make sure Nathan gets the Frack deal. He deserves it, and Dad most definitely does not deserve it.”

“Agreed.”

“Thanks for doing this with me.” She leaned against him, slid her arm up along his spine to rub give his shoulder a squeeze.

“It is my pleasure, Janine. And thank you.” He patted her on the shoulder.

Chapter 8

Hope

“No.” Nathan shook his head, then looked about at his contractors. They sat with him in his office, in chairs they’d scavenged from around the shop. “I can’t go that high. I know you’ll barely break even from this, but it’ll pay off in the next contract. I’m personally guaranteeing it.”

“And what if you don’t have the money?” asked Carter, a man ten years older than Nathan but with half his ambition and twice his skepticism. He wrinkled his broad forehead, forming a unibrow.

“I’m good for it, you know that.” Nathan sat back with a smile, affecting confidence. And he would be good for it, as long as he made the contract and sold the shop. If he couldn’t do that, they would have to wait. But what choice did they have? Money later trumped money never. As long as he squeezed this contract out of them, he could deal with payment at his leisure.

“It’s a short time to do the work in, too,” responded Noel, the fellow Nathan usually hired to do network wiring. Using contractors cost, but having employees cost even more. Besides, their professions wouldn’t pay the bills like what Nathan planned. He just needed the start-up money. Short of running into several venture capitalists who suffered from an addiction to gambling, he would have to procure the funds in creative ways.

Carter let out a growling sigh. “You have given us some business before. And you’ve always been reliable. So I guess you can count me in. But if you don’t come through on your end of the bargain—”

“You won’t be the only one who won’t be getting paid,” Noel interrupted, dark eyes glittering behind his scraggly bangs.

“If we get this job and we do it right,” Nathan interposed smoothly, “we’ll have enough to cover expenses.” Rather, they would. He would use this as a loss-leader and write it off. “Consider it marketing.” And perhaps something more if he played his special cards. Not the ones life dealt him, certainly.

“Fine,” Carter grunted. “It’s not that big of a job.”

“Excellent!” Nathan clapped his hands once. “I’ll just need you gentlemen’s signatures, then we’ll be set to submit the proposal.”

Silence fell as the pens rose.

###

Nathan trotted up the stairs to the Senator’s office. He had called ahead to make certain the man in charge of the project would see him.

Before entering the office, Nathan straightened his tie. He had taken the effort to don his business attire. How Albin stood wearing this monkey suit all day he would never know. The attorney seemed to enjoy it. Masochist. Brits acted so strangely sometimes.

Nathan stepped into the office, which resembled every other business office in the moderate-rent districts of the city: carpeted, with modern art on the walls. A stylized image of a donkey in red, white, and blue kicking the air occupied the space behind the reception desk. The current president’s iconic HOPE poster, reminiscent of Soviet-era propaganda, hung above it.

Nathan ignored the jackass to give his most winning smile to the woman at the reception desk. Younger than him, Caucasian, brunette.

She gave him a once-over, then apparently approved, because she returned the smile. “May I help you?”

“I’m here to meet with Mr. John Harring. My name is Nathan Serebus.”

“One moment please.” She phoned the man to alert him. Then she motioned Nathan toward the door to her left. “He’s down that hall, first door on the right. Good luck.”

“Thank you. I appreciate this.” With a grin, he gave her a wave. Then he set off down the hall.

The door stood open, so he stepped inside. Mr. Harring greeted him with a slight nod. A man in his sixties, he had the calculating expression and fake smile of someone who’d spent his life in politics. He had a full head of hair, though he likely dyed it to its dark brown.

“Come in, sit down. I hear you’ve got something for me?”

“Thank you, sir. It’s about the contract for your project. I’ve spoken with Harp Technologies’s people, specifically Steve Jeffers. I know Mr. Crevan’s daughter, you see.” A little name-dropping never hurt. Harring nodded. “I believe I can do better for you. I’ve talked to my people, and we’ve determined we can offer what Harp has bid, but with no strings attached.”

“I see.” Harring accepted the manila folder Nathan handed over. It contained the proposal documents. The older man flipped through them, pausing at bullet points. “It sure is comparable. But”—he looked up—“you understand my hesitation. You’re a new company. Harp, on the other hand, has been around for a while. I’m acquainted with the Crevan family. They’ve been supporters of the senator.” Not surprising. Anyone who wanted to survive in business had to ally with the current regime. If they didn’t, they risked the guillotine.

“True, but we are a fully licensed business. You’ll find a list of the current contracts we’re undertaking, and those we’ve completed.”

Harring pressed his lips into a thin line. “I know the bidding is still open, but we’ve really—and I’m only telling you this because you are friends with Janine—already decided to take Harp’s proposal. It’s not that yours is bad, it’s just . . .”

Fucking politics. “You’ll deal with the devil you know rather than the devil you don’t. I understand. But remember, open-ended deals often backfire. With mine, you know what you’re getting. There’s no chance of it boomeranging and Mr. Craven handing Senator Frack a list of favors he’d like fulfilled.”

Harring toyed with a pen on his desk. He aligned it with another pen, then adjusted a stack of sticky notes to parallel the ballpoints. “Wait until the bidding period has ended. You will receive our decision then, along with everyone else.” He seemed to believe he’d given an appropriate and satisfactory response, for he looked up with a bright, plastic smile. “Thank you for doing business with us, Nathan. Are you registered to vote, by chance?”

“Yes.” Nathan lied as he pushed his chair back. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Harring. I look forward to hearing your decision. Have a good day.”

Nathan strode out, proud and erect as a tycoon walking away from a deal he could afford to turn down.

He switched off the recorder on his phone.

When he exited into the lobby, the receptionist looked up. “What did he say?”

Nathan regarded her for a moment. “He said I should wait until the bidding is over, but he also warned me that he already made his choice.” Sighing, Nathan looked down for a moment, then back at the young woman. “It’s such a shame. I could have offered him an excellent deal. I know how you and your coworkers must feel using an obsolete system that doesn’t fit your needs. I also know Harp Technologies is going to put in the most cut-rate products they can. That’s how they keep their costs down.” He shook his head as if he’d lost a friend. “I was going to take a loss just so I could do a service. No good deed goes unpunished, I suppose. Well, I wish you luck”—her name tag read—“Kathy. Have a productive day.” He favored her with another smile as he proceeded toward the door.

“I’m sorry it turned out that way.” She looked disheartened. “Look, I’ll make sure he doesn’t throw out your bid, okay?” She beamed at him.

He blinked. An ally? “Thank you. I appreciate it. If you have any updates, this is my number.” He handed her his business card.

###

As Nathan left the building, he deployed his cell phone. After Albin answered, Nathan launched into his report: “We probably are not going to get the Frack project. I gave them a fine argument, but they told me they had largely already decided on Harp. I can’t lower the bid amount any more; I’m already practically using my own money to fund it. I’m counting on more deals coming in just to pay the contractors.”

“As long as we have signed contracts, we have a chance of getting an increase on the business loan,” Albin reminded him. “Perhaps the senator’s office will decide against using Harp. Things change, Mr. Serebus.”

“If there was only some way to convince them.” He paused as a bus passed. On its side, the familiar italic font of the New York Times stood out black on white. “I’ll call you back later.”

“Yes, sir.”

Perhaps a way did exist. But it would require cooperation and imagination. Luckily, he possessed an ample supply of the latter. With effort, he could secure the former.

Chapter 9

Plans

The debate ended, and the attendees began shuffling about for their backpacks and other personal belongings. Nathan remained seated as Janine stood and stretched. Lips pursed, thumb running along the edge of his goatee, he watched the debaters as they spoke with students.

“What’s the matter?” Janine asked, picking up her coffee cup.

“I’m going to go speak with the professor. It’s about the project of Senator Frack’s that you showed me.”

“You said you had to wait to hear about it. That means you’ve still got a chance, even if they say they’re going with Harp. You never know.” She shrugged and gave him a smile of encouragement. But deep in her eyes glinted something else, something dangerous.

“It never hurts to cover one’s bases, shore up the walls, and hedge one’s bets.”

“Or to cover all the exits,” she added with a smirk. “Go ahead. I’ll wait.”

He trotted down the steps to join the queue of people in front of one of the debaters—a woman in her 40s, of Asian descent. She had given a thorough and scintillating discussion on the role of media in politics, and the ethical issues of using media outlets to control / influence political opinions and actions. Since she lectured at NYU, her leftward lean came as no surprise. Good.

“Hello, professor,” he greeted her when his turn came. “It was a fascinating lecture. Do you have a minute? I think there’s something you’ll be interested in hearing. That is, if you’re interested in how business is seeking to influence politics.” In his pocket he fingered his phone.

###

Janine hung back, taking her time sliding her netbook into its case and finishing the last of her coffee. Below, Nathan had struck up a conversation that seemed to interest the woman a great deal. They went on for at least five minutes, with her at one point listening to something on Nathan’s phone.

At last, he handed her his business card, they shook hands, then he bounded back up the steps. His triumphant, predatory smile bespoke his victory.

“Are you going to tell me?” Janine asked, head to one side and a playful smile in place. “Or do I have to wheedle it out of you?”

“I had a feeling the professor would be interested in Harp’s plan to extract favors from a senator’s office. I believe the voters should know what lobbyists are involved in the political process. I’m sure Harp’s competitors won’t be too pleased to hear of this either. The Democrat Party in the state likely already knows, but a little double-checking certainly never hurt. That is, in this case, it won’t hurt me.” His white teeth flashed in a grin sans mirth.

“Are you sure she can get it to a media outlet?” Janine walked with Nathan as they headed from the lecture hall.

He shrugged. “She’s my first attempt. I had the idea earlier, but her debate cemented it.”

“You know, Amy works for an independent news agency. It’s online.” Would Amy help? Perhaps she could present the story as a peace offering—or a parting gift.

“Could she get them to run it? Is she that influential?” Nathan looked down at Janine, curiosity and excitement in his dark-chocolate eyes.

“Well . . . I can try.”

“You sound less than optimistic. Is something the matter?”

Janine stopped, looking down. The carpet proved a more comfortable place to rest her gaze than on the man’s inquisitive face. “I recently told her we should take a break from seeing each other. We hadn’t gotten too far into the relationship.” Why had she said that? He didn’t need to know. He hadn’t asked, either.

“What happened?”

“I just have a lot on my mind.” She turned and started down the hall. He fell into step with her. He remained quiet, as Albin would have.

“I suppose,” he said at length, “it’s wise to take time and get your bearings. You have a lot of decisions to make.” His statement had the ring of words Albin or her mother would speak: wisdom from an older, more experienced adult. He was eight years older than her, even if it didn’t seem like it. If her father thought she dated a twenty-seven year old, he would disapprove of it on the basis of that alone, and call Nathan a cradle robber. She smirked at the thought.

“Something amusing?” the cradle robber in question asked, smiling in anticipation of the joke.

“No, I was just thinking about, like you said, the choices I have to make.”

He cleared his throat. “I haven’t seen any lectures occurring in the next week or two that would be interesting. But it’s a big city and I’m sure we can find something. Is there anything you had in mind?”

“Do you like museums? Or how about the aquarium? There are also tours of the government buildings and historic sites.”

“Any of the above sounds appealing. I’m easy to please.”

“Depends on the area of interest in question, though, right?” She gave him a sidelong glance.

“As long as the company is stimulating, I’m content to go almost anywhere.”

She laughed. “I don’t know about that. What about clubs? I didn’t see you drink at the party.”

“I didn’t see you drink either,” he replied, sarcasm sparkling in his eyes.

“You seem pretty straight-edge,” she remarked. “Do you have any tattoos?”

He shook his head, impassive.

“Smoke?”

Another head shake. “I don’t do drugs either. The last time I drank was . . .” He squinted into the upper right, apparently calculating his time clean and dry. “Eleven years ago.”

“Underage!” she chided, elbowing him in the ribs. “You are a bad boy.”

But rather than a laugh, wink, or other joking acceptance, Nathan grew somber. Had she touched a nerve? “I suppose you could say that.”

Better move on. This is how you lost friends, poking around where you shouldn’t, and expecting too much of them too soon.

“Sorry,” he recovered, an obviously forced smile coming to his lips. “We were talking about something to do. That is,” he added quickly, “if you want to.”

“How about we go to the electronics show that’s next weekend?”

“Are you really interested in that?” He raised a brow as they entered the stairwell to head to the ground floor.

“You are.”

“How about we do something we both enjoy.”

She smiled. “You’re an interesting guy, you know that?”

“So I’ve been told.”

Chapter 10

Resistance

The day of the bid acceptance announcement seemed to take eons to arrive. Nathan filled his time with searching for more contracts and completing the few he had landed. He also studied new technology developments.

The professor who had shown interest in his story on Harp said she would run a story, and it would come out before the bid. But one couldn’t rely on the word of the media. If he didn’t win the Frack bid, he would start at square one again, or possibly square minus one.

In his apartment, he slumped down on the edge of his bed. Along with a card table and a second-hand recliner, it composed one of his few articles of furniture. Shit, he couldn’t even bring a friend here without feeling ashamed. If Janine ever wanted to come over, he’d have to tell her he was in the process of moving, or he had taken his furniture for refurbishing. He let out a bitter laugh. Yes, start out the relationship with a lie.

It was just temporary, though. His housing situation, that was, not their relationship.

He pushed his fingers into his temples and massaged the muscles. “I’m working too hard just to run a zombie corporation.” No, he wouldn’t work his hands to the bone—or the marrow. He wouldn’t follow in his father’s footsteps with an occupation that could barely pay the bills. “I didn’t get a Master in Computer Science for this, but I’m sure as hell not going to get a nine-to-five job and work it for the next fifty years.”

Work—The contract! He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. Open the email program . . . A message from Frack’s office. Deep breath, hold for one, two, three, four. He opened the email. “Thank you, blah, blah, blah—”

—The contract has been awarded to Harp Technologies.

With a roar, Nathan leapt up. His cell phone in its OtterBox hurtled onto the bed. “Again? They outbid me again?”

As quickly as the rage came, it drained from him. He dropped onto the bed again, then flopped onto his back. He closed his eyes and let out a breath.

Howls sang in his ears. Darkness around him. No snow or Wolves this time, though. The howls merged into a voice: You love; we hunt. Evolve. Attack. Dominate.

He jerked awake, sitting up. “Is that why I can’t win bids?” The Wolves? Surely not. They cared about taking life only. But perhaps . . . Albin and now Janine irritated the Wolves, made Them steal his prey—his contracts—from his hands. No. “The Wolves are just my imagination.”

He didn’t have any real relationship with Janine beyond casual, professional and social. He stood, staring into the murk of his living room. “You can’t use her against me. And if you try, I’ll fight you.”

###

Albin sighed as he set his phone aside after reading the email. Another contract lost to Crevan. It came as no surprise, considering Frack chose his contractor earlier, making the bidding process a farce.

He lifted the phone again. He dialed Mr. Serebus.

“I know,” the dogged entrepreneur grunted on the other end.

“We made the attempt, which is the best anyone can do. We will continue to bid. An opportunity will arise, sir, if we stay the course.”

“I’m going to keep fighting, don’t worry. I won’t let them beat me.” A strained urgency saturated the man’s voice. He sounded as if he hunted a quarry . . . or hid from a predator.

###

Toweling her damp hair, Janine plopped down on her sofa. Outside, through the bay window of her twentieth-floor apartment, the city lights shone in all their splendor.

Her father paid in part for her apartment. Him . . . She clenched her teeth and snarled into the darkness outside. His company had won the bid. Again. Nathan had texted the news.

She looked at the message again: Frack chose Harp.

With a sigh, she set the phone aside. Her mother also paid in part for the apartment, at least while her daughter went to school. Speaking of Mom . . .

Janine pulled up the Skype program on her netbook. Her mother’s smiling face appeared on the second ring. “Hello, dear. Now, don’t keep your poor mother in suspense.”

Janine gave a sad half smile.

“Oh”—her mother’s face fell—“don’t tell me that the old dog won. He doesn’t need Frack. That crooked senator should have at least given Nathan a fair shot.”

“I tried to help, even though I said I wouldn’t.” Janine settled back on the cushions. “I had Amy tell her editor about the little scandal. The editor said she’d run it.” Or so Amy claimed. The story had evoked a tepid response from the girl. “I don’t know if it will make a difference. I think it was too little too late.”

“To be honest,” her mother responded, “Nathan didn’t have much time to work on this. He barely had time to get the bid in. You said he was only a few hours away from the deadline?”

Janine nodded.

“Well, you can be proud of him for his noble endeavor. It was very clever. He’s quite savvy for being so young and so new to business.”

“Mmm. He is at that. You should have seen him when he talked to that professor. He looked completely in his element. He likes the competition of business. The thrill of the hunt, as they say.”

“It’s even more thrilling when the quarry knows it’s being hunted,” her mother replied with a knowing smile.

“Mom,” Janine groaned with an accompanying eye roll, “we’re not dating. I’m done with that for the moment. I told you—”

“Yes, yes.” Her mother waved off of the denial. “Anyway, I was about to say you shouldn’t lose hope in that contract. It might fall through. You never know. Business is a many-splendored but very fragile thing. If people really want to get out of a deal, they’ll get out of it.” She shrugged.

Janine smiled. “Thanks. You always make me feel better.” Unlike her father.

“What are your plans for this weekend?”

“Nathan and I are going to get out of the city and go hiking. I invited Albin, but he bailed out again. He’s got a lot of coursework, and his part-time job has his days eaten up. Then there’s the stuff he does with Nathan’s business.”

“It sounds like you two will have a pleasant time. Let me know how it goes. I have some calls to make now, so I’ll let you get on with your night. I love you, dear.”

“I love you too, Mom. Good night.”

The screen returned to its ambient gray.

Janine rested her head back. Then she picked up the phone. She texted, Nathan, keep up the good work. Something’s bound to go your way soon. Lame, maybe, but what else could she say?

A second later, her phone buzzed. Nathan’s response read, That sounds like a personalized fortune cookie.

I’m serious, she typed, I’m impressed with you. No, don’t say that . . . She backed out the you in favor of your tenacity.

I’ll keep fighting, Janine. It’s the only thing I know to do. I’ll fight smart as well as hard.

She gave a laugh of triumph. “That’s my boy. Go for the throat.”

Chapter 11

Neil

Janine waved in greeting to her father’s secretary, Carla. “How is he today,” she asked.

“Well, he read that article from the news site. The one that claimed Harp was attempting to bribe Frack’s office.” Carla looked away, toying with a stack of sticky notes on her desk. “It’s upset him.”

“Good thing I came by, then.” Janine pasted on a pleasant smile. “I can cheer him up.”

“Good luck,” came the dry response.

Janine knocked at the oak door. “Dad, it’s me.”

“Come in.”

Taking a deep breath, she pulled the door open. Inside, her father sat at his desk—a piece of furniture large enough to park a Prius on. Anyone on her side of his throne would have difficulty seeing he occupied a motorized wheelchair. He could walk with crutches, but only for short distances and with effort.

The doctors didn’t know what caused the degeneration of his nervous system, but they assured her they could find no genetic problems that could pass to her. She’d let out a sigh of relief at the news.

Neil looked older than his sixty-four years. His sallow, liver-spotted complexion and his wasting muscles gave him the appearance of an eighty year old. And not one in good health. He had his up days, but his down days had grown more frequent.

He forced a smile, but a frown might have appeared more friendly. “If it isn’t my little lass. What brings you up here?” He suppressed his Irish accent most of the time, claiming it made him sound like a police officer from 1950s movies. He said this with no humor.

“I was in the area, and it’s been a while since I said hi. I wanted to thank you for the graduation get-together.” He had funded it in part with her mother.

“I’m glad you had fun.” When he said fun, he might have said sin instead.

“I did.” She came around to sit on the edge of the desk and put her hand on his withered, claw-like one. Cold, like a corpse. She swallowed. “I’m sorry to hear about that article. Is it going to affect Harp’s contract with Frack?”

A growl rumbled in his chest. “I don’t know who let those details slip, but I’ll find out. Frack told me there’s a new company, a start up. It bid exactly at my level but promised, and I quote, ‘no strings attached.’ Whoever it was knew.”

Janine rolled her eyes. “Oh, Dad, anyone with half a brain can guess that’s where you were going with that deal. Anyone who wants the deal at all will offer similar conditions. Like you say, that’s how a business survives in NYC.”

“I can’t have with upstarts taking over.” He shook his head, wisps of white hair rising at the movement. “I’ll take this contract, one way or another.”

“It’s bad publicity. Let it go.” She smiled again. “I heard there’s a job with the governor. It’s fairly large. No upstarts will be bidding on it, probably.” At least, Nathan wouldn’t. “It’s more prestigious, and it probably opens more doors. That’s if you’re willing to settle for state government rather than D.C. Who knows, maybe you can get some contracts in the capitol.”

“And how, pray tell, do you know about this?” Neil arched a thin brow. His watery blue eyes glinted.

“A little birdie named Albin told me.” She patted him on the hand. “He thinks it’s a good idea.”

“That boy is an intelligent one.” He gazed at his daughter, thoughtful. “That doesn’t excuse him from the error he made with you—”

“Dad, he’s free to make his own decisions, as am I.” Not this again. It was almost too tempting to tell him that Albin worked with the upstart who tried to win Frack’s contract.

“You make good points, but I’m still going for the senator’s project. We won it, fair and square.” His fist clenched under her hand.

“I really think it’s more trouble than it’s worth. I talked to Albin, and he thought the same thing. I know he’s not your adviser, but like you said, he does have a good head on his shoulders.”

“I’ll talk to my lawyers and advisers, thank you. However . . . I’ll take your words into consideration, lass.” He patted her forearm.

“Thanks, Dad.” She leaned forward to kiss him on the cheek. It brought a chill through her like giving her last respects to a corpse.

###

The evening before his hike with Janine, Nathan checked the forecast. Damn it, rain! Fuck, couldn’t anything go right?

He leaned against the counter as he waited for his supper, a patty of ground beef, to finish frying. What could they do instead? Maybe—

His phone rang. An unfamiliar number, but it had the Manhattan 212 area code. “Hello, Nathan here.”

“Hi! I don’t know if you remember me, but I was the receptionist at Senator Frack’s office when you came to drop off your proposal.”

“Of course I remember you. How are you?”

“I’m fine, thanks. Listen, I said I’d give you any news, and now I have some for you!” The smile came through in her voice. “After reading a news article, which you may have seen—”

“I heard something about it. But go on.” His heart thudded against his ribs. He pushed away from the stove.

“Harring is facing some pressure from the rest of the Democratic Party. He’s looking at the bids again. I’m not promising you’ll get it, but you stand a good chance. I’ve seen the other proposals.”

“Thank you for the information. I truly appreciate it. I like to believe I stand a fairly good chance of winning, but that remains to be seen.”

“Good luck. Have a great night.”

“You also.” Grinning, he hung up. “I’m not down yet.”

Chapter 12

Mountaintop

After hearing about the rain forecast, Janine suggested they try a trail in the opposite direction, clear of the storm. Nathan picked her up at Albin’s apartment. The distinguished old brownstone proved a considerably more appealing location to meet than Nathan’s semi-dilapidated temporary residence. Very temporary, if he could build the business soon.

Albin walked her to Nathan’s car like a big brother.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come?” Janine asked, half into the passenger side of the Acura.

“My docket is already full for today.” He gave her a slight smile. Then he turned to Nathan, who stood at the passenger-side door, which he’d opened for Janine. “Keep me apprised of any developments with the contract, sir.”

“Of course. Good luck with your assignments.”

“Be safe and enjoy your excursion,” Albin bid them.

After patting his friend on the shoulder, Nathan circled to the driver’s side. Inside, both belted in.

“Nothing new with the contract, I assume?” she asked.

He turned the key. The engine purred to life. “Not yet, but that can change. Life is full of surprises.”

“It certainly is.”

###

Nathan and Janine passed the hike in conversation, their topics ranging from future plans to families to the state of the world. Periods of comfortable silence dotted the discussion.

Nathan watched her from the corner of his eye. She was unlike anyone he had ever met, save perhaps for Albin.

At last they reached the summit of their hike, a hill offering an excellent view of a lake. Nathan looked over the landscape in approval. “Magnificent. This was an excellent choice, Janine.”

“Thanks for coming. A lot of the guys in the city don’t like to get out. And Albin’s no fun when he’s got his nose in a book.”

“He’s fun for about thirty seconds, until he gets tired of interruptions and either leaves or tells you in no uncertain terms how much of a bother your existence is to him.” Nathan chuckled.

His phone buzzed. Reception out here? Impressive. He withdrew it from his pocket. A 212 area code. “Hello, this is Nathan.”

“Nathan, this is John Harring. I’m sorry that we can’t give you the contract. We chose Harp, even with the bad publicity. We already signed a letter of intent. But here’s what we’re going to do: If you like, and if you’re able, we’ll give you the servicing contract on the network and servers. Harp will install them, but you will take over the contract from there. It was the compromise we worked out.”

Nathan’s brows climbed.

“Who is it?” Janine mouthed.

“Frack’s office,” Nathan was whispered, hand over the mic.

“Are you still there?”

“Yes, sir. Sorry. Reception’s a bit spotty here. That is an attractive deal. The difficulty is, I’m not sure I’ll be able to service the hardware and software if I can’t choose them myself. If we installed it, we would select the best product for the job, and the one we could offer the best service on.

“If we were allowed to choose the hardware and software and then have Harp install them, that would solve the problem, though. It would also ensure you had the best system available. It would help with your public image, too. It guarantees people your deal ends with Harp as soon as they finish installing the equipment.”

Nathan leaned down so Janine could hear the response.

“I don’t see why we couldn’t do that. I just want my network to work well. I don’t understand all this technology haggling.”

“That’s certainly not a problem, sir. I will call my attorney and he will be in contact with you. Then we can finalize the contract.”

“Good. The sooner we can get moving on this the better.”

“Thank you again. We’ll be in touch.”

A grin spread across Janine’s face. The second Nathan hit End, she threw her arms around his neck. “You won!”

Laughing, he hugged her back. “I couldn’t have done it without your help.”

She pulled back and looked into his eyes. Then she kissed him, full on the lips. She leaned in.

Desire overcame shock. He returned the kiss. Pleasure and awe surged over him.

When they came up for air, Janine blushed. “Well, I—”

He chuckled. “It’s all right. It’s the best thing that’s happened to me all week. Scratch that, all year.” They held each other’s gazes. A thought occurred. “Janine, would you . . . like to be my partner? In the business, I mean.”

“What?” Her brows furrowed.

“I can’t afford to pay you”—he gave her a sheepish smile—“but once we start making more money, that will change. I—” He broke off. Damn, it seems like he was using her. “I’m sorry.” He released her and stepped away. “That was too fast. I shouldn’t have—”

“Let me answer. What kind of salesman are you?” Then she gave him a sly grin. “A good one, I think.”

She had accepted? The urge to kiss her again rose, Wolves be damned. But he maintained his composure. “If nothing else, you get the chance to enjoy my shining personality more often.”

She laughed. “You might get sick of me before I get sick of you.”

“Highly doubtful.” I think I could stay with you my entire life.

“Wait until my dad hears. He’ll be fit to be tied!” More laughter.

“I should thank him. He’s going to install top-of-the line equipment for me.” And he had helped open the door to meeting Janine.

“Hey, let’s take a picture. You hold it; you’re taller.”

With their backs to the lake, he snapped a photo. They looked good together. He handed it back to her.

“Let me just send this. There’s some people who would appreciate the view, I think.”

“Send it to me too. Please.” As he spoke, he typed the Frack update to Albin.

“So,” she began after finishing her text, “you never finished saying what you meant by law of reciprocity being used in a different way. Did you use it in this contract deal?”

He gazed at her, half-smile in place. “Yes.” And I’m not the only one, smooth operator. “But it’s a trade secret. I’m still waiting for it to bear full fruit. I guess we’ll just have to see what gift I receive in return, won’t we.”

She shook her head. “You truly are a unique man.”

“Spoken by a truly unique woman.” His arm slipped around her waist.

Chapter 13

Albin’s phone alerted. Looking up from his textbook, he opened the messaging program. It showed a photo with Janine and Mr. Serebus. The man had his arm around her shoulders. They both grinned as if they had won the state lottery at its highest. The message with it read, Look at the new winner of the Frack contract.

“I believe you have won more than that,” Albin murmured, smiling. They looked quite attractive together. And neither could hope to find a better partner.

###

Neil Crevan dragged his phone closer to him on the desk. The message came from Janine. He opened it. The image and the text required long study and two readings to fully comprehend.

With a growl, he flung the phone. It skidded a few inches along the polished wood. “Villainous viper! I’ll see you suffer for this. You will not stop my plans.”

###

Annette laughed long and strong when she saw the message and photo. “That’s my girl! Finally you’ve picked someone worthy of you. Albin was right: you’ll be happy with one another. And you do make a cute couple. My goodness, your kids are going to be utterly adorable.”

Smiling, heart aglow, she dialed John Harring.

“Hello, Annette. So good of you to call.”

“John, thank you again for that delightful dinner party. And thank you even more for taking that young man Nathan Serebus’s contract into consideration. You’re such a sweetheart. I know he’ll more than live up to your expectations, and give you the treatment you deserve.”

“It was my pleasure to have you over. As for him, if he can give us a decent, working network, I’ll be happy. He seems like quite the motivated young guy.”

“He certainly is. Who knows, someday he might just be top dog.”