ne Monr
hall, Barrett's broad shoulders naturally blocking the crowded
his keyboard and nearly knocked his water cup off the desk. Even though he couldn't smell Barrett's
liding our ID cards and a fresh match application un
s and began typing our serial numbers into the gover
nitor facing us. A green progress bar hit one hundred p
e rarest genetic lock capable of linking two people's nervous systems if permanently marked. I whipped my head to
two gold-trimmed certificates. "Please sign at the bo
two names printed side by side, I steadi
bold, dark, and sweeping, locking right next to mine b
loud thud. In less than ten minutes,
Barrett reached into his pocket and handed m
smoothly. "We agreed on living apart, but in case
ers around it. "Thank you. I have to head back to the oross Barrett's gray-blue eyes, though it vanished
fely, Mrs
a quick nod, hurried down the remaining steps, and flagg
el III cuff and the air smelled of pure charcoal filters, I leane
t Craf
cab merge into the downtown traffic until it disappeared ar
ty feet away, my chief assistant, Ethan Foster
family has been scrubbed clean,
face as I turned toward the car. "Run a check
and looked up five seconds later. "Sir... Madam is the ne
id down three strict rules to protect herself from an "import-export trader
bach. "Elevate her clearance to the highest execu
Ethan said, pulling the h
k guard, loosening the clasp by a millimeter. Her stubborn, wary eyes flashed through
bach glided smoothly into the main avenue, I closed my eyes and began ma
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