Page 84 of Fearless

“I’ve just got this feeling that we need to go now.”

“How much of that comes from your heart and not just your intuition?”

Ash was right to ask. If it were anyone else but Serena, he might be the steady, cautious voice of reason. Denying that his heart had everything to do with wanting to rescue her would be impossible.

Blowing out an explosive sigh, Sean leaned back against the sofa. “You’re right. Serena’s calling the shots. We wait until she says go.”

Chapter Thirty-Five

Trenton Manor

Los Angeles, California

Giving the full-length mirror one last nod of approval, Colton headed out for another full day of meetings. They would end at midday because tonight was the big gala, and everyone would need time to get ready. He was looking forward to it for several reasons. Not only would he get to wear his new tuxedo, which looked perfect on him, but he’d heard that several A-list celebrities would be attending. With his new powerful position imminent, he felt confident enough to approach any of them.

Anticipating all the glories that were soon to come his way, Colton stepped out of his room and into the hallway. For just an instant, an odd omen of darkness swept over him, and a chill tracked up his spine. One of his foster mothers had once described that feeling as someone walking over your grave, which had never made any sense to him. Since his view was as far away from hocus-pocus spirituality as anyone’s could be, he shrugged the feeling away.

Since he liked how the massive stairway made him feel as if he were making a grand entrance each time he descended, he ignored the elevator and headed down the hallway. He passed several people on the way, but other than giving him quick glances and looking away, no one spoke to him. That didn’t surprise him. He wasn’t one to socialize unless it benefited him, and none of the people he passed were of any consequence. They likely considered him so far above them, why even try to engage with him?

He took the stairs slowly, every step measured. Anyone looking would see what he wanted them to see—a supremely confident man sure of his place within WREN as well as the world. As he made his way to the large conference room, where a breakfast buffet was being served, he felt some stares. Turning his head, he was pleased when a couple of men whispered to each other, their eyes on him. When he saw one of them smirk at him, he cocked his head. That was both disrespectful and infuriating. He made note of the man, determined to get his name and make sure he understood how he was to behave. Under his rule, disrespect would not be tolerated.

He poured himself a cup of coffee, nodded at a few acquaintances, and then headed to the array of food. His stomach growling in anticipation, he filled his plate with his favorites and turned, looking for a place where he could enjoy his meal without having to deal with any of the underlings. Just as he spotted an empty table, his phone chimed with a text message. Placing his plate on the closest flat surface, he pulled his phone from his suit jacket and read the text.

394885 Urgent. Come immediately to the sixth floor, room 606.

Colton swallowed past a suddenly dry throat. It was a legitimate message. The number was his personal WREN identification number that only the council knew. He took a sip of coffee as he gave the message consideration. Why would they…

And then it hit him. Of course they were calling him into a meeting. Major announcements were to be made tonight, prior to the official kickoff of the gala, but they would want to let him know about his promotion before everyone else learned of it.

Feeling slightly amused at his momentary panic, Colton placed his cup beside his full plate. He’d come back down after the meeting and ask the kitchen to make him something special. For now, he had accolades to acknowledge and a promotion to accept.

Deciding to use the elevator this time, he was standing in front of room 606 within minutes of receiving the text. Taking a moment, he drew in a breath of preparation. This was it. The culmination of all his hard work. What he had been working for his entire life. No one deserved it more.

Instead of knocking, which he was sure most people would do, Colton turned the knob and pushed the door open. He didn’t know what he was expecting for the setup, but he had to admit he was a bit disappointed. The regular furniture had been replaced with a long, narrow table. A large, thick rug lay on the floor, in front of the table. Five people sat behind the table, their faces hidden behind macabre half masks. He’d heard about this and found himself having to suppress nervous laughter. He, of course, knew their identities. As much as WREN was all about secrecy, gossip was a favorite pastime for many within the organization. They likely knew they weren’t anonymous, but since not showing their faces was a long-held tradition, they kept up the pretense.

The only one not in attendance was the one he wanted to meet the most. The name of the current Lazarus was likely the best-kept secret within the organization. The man never attended the conferences, and other than WREN’s top tier and a select few, no one knew his identity.

Colton wasn’t one of those select few—at least not yet. But he had heard enough through the grapevine to think he’d figured out who it was. If he was correct, and the man achieved his current career trajectory, it would be a game changer for WREN and for the world.

Just another reason why he was excited to be invited to this table.

“Mr. Kingsley, have you enjoyed your time here this week?” one of the people asked in an androgynous voice.

He hadn’t expected them to use voice distortion. It added to the element of mystery they were trying to maintain, and he decided he approved. He was going to have a blast being a part of their group.

“Yes. It’s been an excellent conference. The knowledge base within these walls has been both fascinating and enlightening.”

“That’s good to hear,” another person said. “We want all our worker bees to gain as much knowledge as possible.”

Okay, that was not even a veiled insult. Rudeness didn’t usually bother him. In his line of work, it was expected. But this wasn’t that kind of meeting. What was going on here? He hadn’t exactly expected fireworks and balloons, but if they were planning on giving him his promotion at this meeting, their preliminary verbiage was oddly unsettling.

“Let’s take a look at your year, shall we?” another of the five said.

A large screen dropped down to his right, and he breathed a relieved sigh when he saw some of his major accomplishments for the past twelve months. Things were finally getting on the track he had expected. They would laud his successes and deliver the good news of his new position.

His shoulders relaxing and his nerves settling down, Colton listened as the man named his major triumphs, including his most recent accomplishment of nabbing the elusive and brilliant Serena Donavan.

“Excellent work obtaining Serena Donavan,” one of the five stated. “She’s been on our radar for several years.”