ne Monr

hall, Barrett's broad shoulders naturally blocking the crowded

his keyboard and nearly knocked his water cup off the desk. Even though he couldn't smell Barrett's

liding our ID cards and a fresh match application un

s and began typing our serial numbers into the gover

nitor facing us. A green progress bar hit one hundred p

e rarest genetic lock capable of linking two people's nervous systems if permanently marked. I whipped my head to

two gold-trimmed certificates. "Please sign at the bo

two names printed side by side, I steadi

bold, dark, and sweeping, locking right next to mine b

loud thud. In less than ten minutes,

Barrett reached into his pocket and handed m

smoothly. "We agreed on living apart, but in case

ers around it. "Thank you. I have to head back to the o

ross Barrett's gray-blue eyes, though it vanished

fely, Mrs

a quick nod, hurried down the remaining steps, and flagg

el III cuff and the air smelled of pure charcoal filters, I leane

t Craf

cab merge into the downtown traffic until it disappeared ar

ty feet away, my chief assistant, Ethan Foster

family has been scrubbed clean,

face as I turned toward the car. "Run a check

and looked up five seconds later. "Sir... Madam is the ne

id down three strict rules to protect herself from an "import-export trader

bach. "Elevate her clearance to the highest execu

Ethan said, pulling the h

k guard, loosening the clasp by a millimeter. Her stubborn, wary eyes flashed through

bach glided smoothly into the main avenue, I closed my eyes and began ma