ough the blinds of Ansley'

Aura Aerospace were scattered all around her. She rubbe

ison reports and shoved them

kin was pale and dark circles bruised the skin under her eyes. She turned on t

resses Emery had bought her over the years. She reached to the

bun at the base of her neck. She uncapped a tube of dark, blood-

r of black stiletto heels. They

r car keys and

r across the street from the Aegis Grou

ssive, all-glass skyscraper pierced the clouds.

and stepped out. She walked across the crosswalk

eavy revolving doors and

ing. Hundreds of people in expensive suits rushed past

ht. She walked directly to t

uniforms stood behind the counte

oward a blonde receptionist. "I am here representing Aura Aerospa

rd. Her fingers tapped lazily on her

this algorithm is critical t

le. She pointed a manicured finger toward a waiting area in t

h desperate startup founders. Some of them looked l

eas. If she sat there, she would n

the cold marble counter and leaned in. "I need y

smile vanished. "Ma'am, step back.

ed the commotion. They rested their hands on the radios clip

ak again, a soft ding e

private VIP ele

lked out. The air pressure in the

her head. Her

ance. He was smiling like a rat, and in his hand, he held

e front desk. His eyes

ock crossed his face, quickly re

tive, then broke away from the grou

up. They stopped right behi

ails dug into the thick paper. She stared at the traito