d by what had happened the night before. Though Marcus was now in custody, the threat was not go

ugh emails and reports. Her thoughts kept going to Ethan, to their well executed plan. She wa

orning, saying, "Meeting at my office i

went to the top level. She could hear Ethan mumble in h

Come in,"

ring as tough as usual, but when their gazes connected

nted to express my gratitude for your bravery in per

Ethan, all I was doing was going about

You took an awful lot of chances. And I am aware that thing

of his comments. "There's been a lot to abso

threads. We must be sure the business is not threatened an

Sophie lifted an e

ow formally promoted to Head of Marketing, by me. You have produced

ing she could have predicted was th

the current chores. Reviewing our security procedur

s as they got into the specifics. It startled Sophie how easily they

th ideas of her promotion and the developing attraction between her and Et

ing as she was ready to head out: "Would you like

ause, she said,

red up fast and headed for the place. Elegant and with a warm, personal atmosp

p, Ethan said, "Sophie,

nvitation, Sophie

is look. I was itching to leave the office and all of the stress. I also

in go from her shoulders. "Thank

ou have, nonetheless, managed it w

effortlessly along. Ethan gave snippets of his history, including the hardships he

y for having to experienc

er, also shaped who I am now. I also fee

leaped. A key is trust. Partic

n me. And Sophie, I also trust

ed their lunch, their talk becoming more private and close. Sophie and E

merged into the crisp night a

er a pause. Indeed, th

ed in comfortable quiet. Ethan showed her to

xture of eagerness an

an said, "Thank you,

han leaned in and planted a gentle, long

night, Ethan," sh

quickly. Thoughts of Ethan kept Sophie from being really present. She could not

on her office door. When she raised her hea

e a moment

ng him to enter, Soph

hut the door behind him. "I have

g, Sophie sai

ed by the firm to work against us. We have whittled

e nodded. I am available t

he only one I trust with this, even

aid a hand on his. "We'll

eaned in and planted a kiss on her, almost as though he were pulled by an unseen

rling when they eventua

Shh." This will be handled one step at a time. We have

ophie nodded. OK.

y together, Sophie and Ethan's relationship became closer every day. Notwithstanding t

hie saw something strange. Numerous unrelated financial transact

d. These transfers-they are not allowe

e thought. Maybe t

ust follow these transactions an

At last, they had a moniker. A little skeptic in her voice,

im. He has to be confronted, y

e strain as they carried out their strategy was nearly intolerable. At l

id. "I have no idea w

han said icy. "We hav

n, though, his shoulders slumped in defeat. A fine. You know who it was.

at Sophie. Wit

another senior official. Sophie was very cold.

things internally. But D

mation while Daniel was led out. We must exercise caution,

ferocious-looking E

elt a rush of res