IN THE HANDS OF TIME

he felt the weight of her new reality now, standing in the sleek lift of the gleaming skyscraper that dominated the financial district of Aspen. She had spent yesterday getting Darian settled in thei

at he was not a good adapter. Howeve

area. Everything is chrome, glass, and subtle luxury. Behind the front desk, a modern KAL Apex Financials logo was d

as Investment Group as the liai

u've been anticipated, Ms. Sawyer. I'll info

Ander

t be a coincidence. Anderson was a p

ious to Rachel's sudden pallor. She went on, "His assistant, Greta, will be out sh

company she had spent the last two weeks researching in great detail without ever making the connection? However, she had purposefully refrained from searching for the

ently that she had

t, came over. "Ms. Sawyer? I'm Greta Winters, the ex

She reminded herself that Anderson was a common name. Greta said in a conversational tone, "The executive team is exc

not in her stoma

w hires, even those from acquired businesses." Gret

ence room with Greta. The man at the head of the long table caught Rachel'

fingers through, but it was shorter and more expertly styled. Across the polished surface of the table, his eyes, those green ones that had once gazed at her with

pled smile that, for quite different re

KAL Apex welcomes you. We're delighted to have you join us." His tone was perfectly professional, betraying nothing o

ce remained steady. "I'm looking forward to facili

y to his right. "Please come sit. We were

king up too much of her thoughts at the moment, and the subtle aroma of his cologne brought back memories she had assumed were safely hidden. As the meeting went on, topics like departmental integrations, logistics, and anticipated timelines wer

this transition." Kohen informed his team. "In order to make

jerked up. "Ne

d in Kohen's eyes as he met h

answer. Rachel swallowed forcefully. "Not at all," she stated

nt of satisfaction. "Now, please pardon us, but I would like to speak w

filed out. Kohen's businesslike demeanor changed slightly as soon as the door shut. Her skin p

. "They send you to my company. Out of all the financial a

ight away. "I was unaware that

ohen Anderson Luke. You fai

"I was more concerned with th

. "Always so pragmatic. At

etorted, "Many things changed

ion. "Eight years, three months and about

ed them to retrieve a forgotten personal item. "S

efore she could reply, he pushed away from the tabl

asked the moment the door closed behind th

d to a smile, unfazed by her

like a physical blow. She said, pointing between them, "I

said. So am I. My responsibility is to see this merger through

Greta is going to show you your workplace. At two, we meet

assed him in the doorway, and he slanted slightly. "Welcome home, Raye,

caused a shudder down her spine and James Russell's third rule, no