Chapter 107
Chapter 107:
“It’s… thank you,” he said, his voice flat. It was the most ridiculous object he had ever seen.
Veronica smiled, reaching out to touch his arm. “So, Elias, about the gala next week p>
Elias flinched slightly at her touch. He checked his watch.
“I have work, Veronica. Please see yourself out p>
“But p>
“Goodbye,” Elias said, turning his back.
He walked back to the library. He placed the crystal-encrusted sanitizer on a shelf, behind a stack of books. He sat down at his desk. He opened Apex Ascendant.
S: Are you online?
He waited.
Phoenix: Always.
Elias felt a warmth spread through his chest that had nothing to do with the room temperature.
The movie had been mediocre, but the darkness of the cinema had been soothing. Aurora stepped out onto the sidewalk, blinking against the glare of the streetlights.
It was raining again. A light, misty drizzle that made the neon signs reflect on the black asphalt. She pulled her coat tighter. She needed to hail a cab to the Obsidian Tower. She checked her phone. No messages from Jones; she had insisted on a night off, a rare moment of solitude.
A black sedan screeched to a halt right in front of her, cutting off her path. The window rolled down.
“Get in,” a voice demanded.
Aurora stiffened. She knew that voice.
Sterling Thorne stepped out of the car. He looked manic. His hair was wet, his tie loose. He rounded the hood and grabbed her arm before she could step back.
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“We need to talk,” he said, his breath reeking of scotch. “I’ve been trying to find you all day. Your guard dogs wouldn’t let me near the office. You think you can hide from me behind a wall of security p>
“Let go of me,” Aurora said, her voice cold. She tried to twist her arm free, using leverage techniques she had learned, but his grip was desperate, fueled by adrenaline.
“Stop fighting me!” Sterling shouted. People on the street stopped to look. “I’m trying to help you! I know what you’re doing. You’re burning through that Phoenix Ventures money to make me jealous. Come back to me. I’ll forgive you. I’ll even pay off your debts when the investors drop you p>
“I don’t have debts, Sterling,” Aurora hissed. “And I don’t need your forgiveness. You’re delusional p>
“Don’t lie to me!” He shook her. “You think that fancy apartment makes you one of us? You’re trash! You’re a trailer park girl playing dress-up! You’re nothing without me p>
Aurora’s eyes narrowed. She prepared to strike. A knee to the groin. A palm to the nose. She shifted her weight.
Suddenly, a large hand clamped onto Sterling’s shoulder. It wasn’t violent, but it was heavy. Immovable.
“Unhand her,” a deep voice rumbled.