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I’d say I was sorry, but I wasn’t.
Pending government approval, which I would again receive in an expedited manner, Jiàn Innovations would announce its newest offering: the fastest cancer treatment therapy ever available. Because of the glacial pace at which the Federal Drug Administration moved, we would beat Protocol to market by a mile. I’d already begun the process of staffing a rollout, reaching out to distribution partners and prepping my facilities for an influx of orders.
Jiàn Innovations would launch two cutting-edge technologies this year. And then? All eyes would be on Shenzhen—and me. My prominence, already secured, would finally proliferate wildly.
Some would question my tactics, but I would stand by my results. In the end, I would help more people than I’d hurt. Men had done the same thing for centuries, declaring war in the name of their vision of a better world.
So, I reasoned, let the weak wait. If Lauren Taylor and Fiona Pace couldn’t hear the clock ticking, I wouldn’t waste my precious time screaming at them while they covered their ears.
* * *
HANNAH
Wes, Levi, and Ash were holed up in the guesthouse, busy interrogating the man we’d captured. Curious and not at all pleased by the day’s events, Gabe and Lauren cornered me when they got home from work.
“What are they going to do with him?” Lauren asked.
I frowned as I laced up my sneakers. Running was the only way I could deal with such a stressful day. “I don’t know.”
Gabe cracked his knuckles. “I’m going to talk to Levi—I’m not sure I love the idea of keeping a hostage on my property.”
Lauren kissed his cheek, looking stricken as he strode off. “Keep me posted.”
She watched me as I started to stretch. “How was Fiona?”
“Nervous about the girls, of course. Ellis increased security at their property. He’s not taking any chances.”
She nodded. “Were you scared?”
“I was scared Wes was going to get hurt. He shouldn’t be active yet.” I bit my lip. “Honestly, I don’t know if I can handle him going back on assignment after everything that’s happened.”
Lauren reached out and rubbed my arm. “Things will calm down eventually.”
“He carries a concealed weapon for work. ‘Calm’ isn’t really part of the job description.”
“Have you asked him to think about doing something else?”
I shrugged. “Yes, but he loves his job. I don’t think it’s fair of me to push it.”
“Can you live like this? Worrying about him?”
“I’ll be fine. I just need to stay supportive.” I couldn’t ask Wes to give up his work—he helped people, and it was an important job. I just needed to toughen up. Plus, he’d never once asked me to walk away from Paragon, even though it had been chaotic and dangerous over the past year. “Other spouses do it. I can, too.”
“Spouses?” Lauren asked eagerly, clearly trying to lighten the mood. “Do you have gossip?”
I put my hands on my hips. “Ugh, you know what I mean!”
She eyed my sneakers. “Do you want company?”
“Besides the three security guards who’re going to follow me?” I eyed the guys, who were waiting in the entryway. “You’re welcome to come, but I’ll probably run a few hills.”
Lauren grabbed her laptop and backed away. “I think I’ll catch up on some reports. Come see me when you get back?”
“Sure.” I headed to the entryway, collected my entourage, and headed outside. The roads surrounding Gabe’s compound were quiet, with another occasional estate’s driveway breaking up the woods. It was peaceful up here in the hills, and as soon as I started to jog, I calmed down.
I liked to run to music, the beat blaring and blocking out all thoughts. With one guard in front and two behind, I popped my headphones in and tried not to sing along—I didn’t need to be hazed about my pathetic voice. Still, even with the drama of the day, I eventually settled into a pace and was able to let my thoughts fall away. After a mile, I felt better. I pumped my arms and breathed in the cool, late-afternoon air, thinking only of my next breath and putting one foot in front of the other.
Then my phone buzzed, pausing the music, and a notification flashed across my screen: finally, a response email from Biyu Lin.
