ek phone screen before locking onto

derstanding. Emilee swiftly averted her ey

new in town. Navigating the city jungle solo might be a wild ride. The Lewis clan's got a track record tha

off guard by the un

, "Trust me, hitching your wagon to the Lewis

sage from Clare popped up. "If you throw

lled over the image of that fiery girl. He

eeth, Clare fired

. Brennen, reveling in a touch of mischief,

playing unwavering determination, sh

Brennen

is family. Once you agree, I'm your genie, granting wishes and all- body

etween her and Emile

Brennen typed, before slippin

cony, only to find Emilee, drained from the

in, Archie's voice crac

hter got a little too curious and found your num

, I've got a job for you. Ready a sniper rifle, two bullets, put

ood, Mr.

he Lewis family spearhead the new district project.

orrow," came the prompt re

sofa, eyes shut, indulgi

Emilee lay on the bed, ma

voice. "Emmie! I just reached out to the big shot! He's game for a collaborat

her excitement, sittin

the beans himself!" Clare's exc

at odious Cary guy or the food

xcitement, leaned in. "Clare, when can I meet

know," Clare said, trying to retrieve the details. "But seriously,

ilee agreed with

e, let me scoop you up and

m beat today,"

h the delivery guy, huh? A room, just th

but her unspoken sentiments lin

t smile and said, "Don't wor

ving behind a hint of a smile on her

a subtle tranquil

awake... she swiftly checked her

her attention was drawn to the door o

d in an unconventional workout-push-ups with two f

d across Emile

thusiasts, none boasted t

deliveryman managed

," Brennen greete

s practice,

out is this?" Emil

molition Technique," he

Demolition Technique? Sounds intense.

ands, opting to keep the details to himself, well aware

mill technique; it was a sli

urfaced in the previous century, standi

but lethal techniques des

ns on martial arts often attracted an influx of armchair critics.

ed, seldom bothered

ldhood, had received a stern talk from his f

point- martial artists mu

as conflict resolution, not v

individual level and safeguardin

tured, his fingers revealing a visible reduction in the p

f lingering steam from the

ng, "I've got a new tooth brush for you,

urved into

that the requested sniper was d

o Emilee. As she took a bite, she pro

ennen inqui

se are we going to tie the knot?"

"Have you really thought this through

gaze on him. "Wha

I be?" Brennen rolled his eyes a

, asked, "When do

some cereal. "After

Emilee

m worried they won't give their approval to you as a daughter-i

ng thick i

ac

t her spo

been someone others looked

, dared to imply his famil

asked, "Are you implying th

t. My family is easygoing. You've got the looks, the body, the

" she exclai