CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHT – MAKING THE SWITCH

A sinister chuckle issued from the phone's speaker. "Well now, ain't you just a princess of pragmatism? I do fancy a woman who can parlay instead of just frettin' and wailin' all day." Kayla's free hand clenched into a subtle fist beneath the table, knuckles whitening. "So here's what I propose - a gesture of good faith from both our camps. You get your spendy lil' corporate books in order, clear the way to transfer say...20% of Storm Enterprises' liquid assets into my trusty temporary keepin'. And I'll make certain poor ol' Lance arrives back on your doorstep bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as the day is long." Barely containing her revulsion, Kayla was about to respond when Rawlins caught her eye, giving the faintest shake of his head. The tech beside him flashed two fingers, then pointed meaningfully to her phone. They were closing in on tracing the call's origin through the electronic baffle. Kayla just needed to keep stalling for a little longer. Forcing a thin smile, she scoffe