The Enemy's Embrace

ER'

reach at Ki

ston: Losin

nterprises

I scroll, but the sting of

ever happe

ve

dragged through the m

e tacky

s in

oss from me, his expression calm but his words too polished. "We are handlin

his isn't some minor slip-up, Victor. Someone infiltrated our event. They walked i

sn't f

e weak points in the security system. It was deliberate

ff as I glare at him, frustration s

right things, but the

e it's

re is making me see shado

p, turning to

ly but nods quickly.

nt every angle covered, every pos

ng in his notebook, though I n

eing able to look at them both, not

of the city's most exclusive lounges and despite my desire to just st

m of conversation filling the air. I spot my contact at a corner table

sh

d there sh

her dress simple yet elegant, the soft fabric skimming he

concerned, and I feel a flicker

ce neutral. "I didn't

in her eyes. "I could say th

ne way to

e. "I saw the headlines. Tough

ment, I

g about her- some

she asks, like sh

t I haven't had anyone

fide in than the ther

lenge," I admit, the w

at the bar. "Join me? Unless you'd

onversation. I could use a moment to regroup, and Maeve's of

m done with the

n would

me two

nothing to d

nvestors to give me a shot and I soon find my

on is easy, al

insightful. She talks about navigating crises, about staying one step ahead

wine glass, "it's about knowing who you can trus

he weight of her statement settling heavily

t it is not impossible. You just have

ike she is looking right through me, seeing e

he same time, there's some

m being.

ly, the word feeling

reaches for her glass. The touch is fleeting, ac

feeling that she is definitely d

composed, and unde

ime in days, I feel

s echoing in my mind as I step into

zes in my pocket, and I pull

know. Be caref

my spine has nothing to

ce calm and steady: "At the end of the d

in years, I feel co