Page 82 of Fearless

Knowing their time was almost up, she leaned forward, took his hand, and squeezed gently. “We’re going to get out of here, and you’re going to have an amazing life. I promise.”

His smile of gratitude was everything. She couldn’t wait to notify her team that it was almost time. That, in just a few days, they could come, and all of this would be over at last. Smith would be headed to a new life. And she, once again, would feel Sean’s arms around her.

Things were working out so much better than she’d ever anticipated.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Trenton Manor

Los Angeles, California

His week was going swimmingly. Every social event he had attended, everyone seemed to either know him or know of him. Every time he walked into a seminar, whispers began. He was considered the “it” person. He’d stopped counting the number of times he’d been invited to dinner, to a weekend yacht excursion, or to stay at this villa in Spain or that luxury cabin nestled in the Swiss Alps. And the number of ski lodge invitations to Vale and Jackson Hole was almost embarrassing.

Colton was eating it up. He had earned every one of those invitations. Done deeds most men couldn’t stomach. Performed services that would horrify the snobs at the top tier of WREN. They had once looked down on him, treating him as less than human. When he got to the top, he’d throw their asses off the highest mountain he could find. Getting to the top, becoming Lazarus, would be the crowning achievement of his life. Getting revenge against all who had wronged him in some way would be the cherry on top.

“Colton, what a delight it is to see you again.”

Colton held back a sigh. Being the star of the conference had its downfall as well. While the higher echelon wanted to wine, dine, and schmooze him for future favors, which he thoroughly enjoyed, the underlings wanted to befriend him so they could climb on his shoulders. Little did they know that he wasn’t looking to help any of them. He’d had to wade through the muck and mire to get here. Let them do the same. He was out for number one. No one else mattered.

Turning, he watched Nathan Decker come closer. In his late fifties, the man was well past his prime. He would go no further than his current role as house governor. Admittedly, his was one of the nicer ones, a grand old castle just outside Marseille, France. At one time, it had been Colton’s fondest wish to oversee it. But now, he wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

“You’re looking smashing, Colton,” Decker said. “Things are moving right along for you.”

Colton detected absolutely no envy in the man’s comment and found that oddly irritating. Decker was talking to the person who would one day get to decide if he lived or died.

“Things are indeed going well, Nathan. And for you, you’re still in France?” He added the last part with just a tinge of sympathy.

“Yes, yes. I’m still living the dream.” His smile was beatific and wide, seemingly authentic.

Disappointed with Decker’s obvious satisfaction with his lot in life, Colton was hit with a stab of irrational jealousy. Seeking to end the conversation, he nodded abruptly and said, “Good to see you, Nathan.”

Before he could turn away, Nathan grabbed his arm and said, “Wait. I wanted to ask you if you’d heard about Stephan Henley’s retirement from the council.”

His heart jumping at the news, he turned back to Nathan. “No, I hadn’t heard.”

Nathan nodded. “I thought not. I’m only privy to the information because he’s my daughter’s father-in-law. We had a gathering at his home a few nights ago, and he broke the news.”

Colton’s heart thudded with excitement. Oh, this was superb, the most welcome news he’d heard in years. With Henley’s retirement, a replacement would have to be named as soon as possible. Colton knew he was certain to be on the short list of candidates. Could this trip get any better? Would he be named Henley’s replacement this week? Would they possibly make the announcement at the gala?

He was filled with overwhelming happiness, and it took everything he had not to pull Nathan into a bear hug. He couldn’t recall ever touching anyone with affection, so he knew the gesture would be awkward and inappropriate and managed to hold himself back.

“Word is that you’re a shoo-in for his replacement,” Nathan said.

Emotion almost got the best of Colton. His dream was coming true. Maintaining the stoic expression he’d mastered early in his career, Colton nodded slowly in agreement. While being humble wasn’t something even he could fake, he did try to sound modest as he said, “That’s kind of you to say.”

Not that he believed there was any kindness behind the words. Since he was about to be elevated to the upper echelon, sucking up to him was advantageous. It was just one of the many things Colton knew he’d have to get used to with his new position.

Deciding he could be magnanimous since Nathan had been the one to give him the exciting news, he awkwardly patted the man on the shoulder and said, “Let’s have drinks some time.”

Looking startled and a little bit leery, Nathan nodded and said, “Of course, of course.”

Perhaps he’d overdone it with the friendliness. Deciding he’d spent enough time on this loser, he gave Nathan a curt nod of dismissal and said coolly, “Enjoy the rest of the conference.”

Striding away from the man, Colton let his excitement increase with every step. Every dream he’d ever had was about to come true. All the hard work, the pretending and playacting that went with climbing to the top, was almost at an end. He would no longer have to act like he cared about anyone else. He could reap the rewards and enjoy the fruits of his labor.

Who said crime didn’t pay?

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