3: The L

vation Showcase was unlike any o

arned early that it was Xenois's way of reminding competitors and allies

t this one felt a bit different. After

id as he tugged at my hand, pointing toward a disp

own, the same one that Xenois had

heck it out? Stay w

ermission to explore. I watched them go,

rrow I would neve

ession," Xenois said as he st

ston legac

breath taking away

oked back at them asking the engineers som

ebumps on my skin as I tried to hide my blush. It was merely

nois murmured, nodding toward a

commitment to our alliance

laying my part. "Is that why you'r

e as he chuckled softly. "Si

id you appreciate

oe as he nodded, a smile of approval on his

heart flutter as I looked down, pl

riplets' intelligence from colleagues, and deflecting questions about w

oice called, and I t

s, followed by two men whose suit ja

normal to the public eye, Romano preferred the stereotypical mafia aes

briefly, as he said. "

atching me as he said. "Mrs.

ghting the urge to

pearances, but because I knew exactly what they

tching the triplets as they moved from exh

their father,"

s. "Let's hope they have h

ack to Xeno

ightened briefl

e, why don't you c

ismissal. As I walked away, I

d a robotics display, watching

saw me as he pointed. "This robot

our playroom," I laughed, a little

A familiar voic

ost trusted men, he looked huge and had a

gone after him. Despite his intimidating app

genuine smile on my face thi

then surprised me by crouch

osses, you lik

ns that he answered with a lot of patience. I watched, amused, as th

id approvingly as he strai

ir father

tubbornnes

ppiness to sympathy as he look

ace as I narrowed my e

d his shoulders, "but I hear things. Claudia's co

udia Hale. That was the woman Xenois

. The reason he'd specified a contr

know," I l

t press the matter. Rather he nod

.. you've been good for h

called away by another associ

ir expressions looked serious, their voices too low to be over heard. As if s

ly enough for nearby guests to hear: "So, Claudia re

change, but I saw the sti

ged," he confirmed,

s, determined not to let him see