Edward was rushing out of the elevator when Adrian stepped in.He did a double take and bowed.“Ch… Mister Jenkins,” he greeted reverently.Though Edward adjusted his address and only bowed discreetly, Adrian still cast a furtive glance around.Thankfully, there was no one else around.“You need to be more careful,” he said tersely.“Yes, sir. I…” Edward looked towards the main entrance, then back at Adrian, saying, “I heard that you were out there. I was just on my way to…”“How long has Juliet's driver been a nuisance here?”“He really doesn't…” Under Adrian's steady gaze, Edward knew diplomacy was not the command. “Sir, Miss Sanchez has specific requirements for her day-to-day routine with the shoots and other aspects of the contract. She hardly says anything herself and mostly refers us to the driver. He can be very… assertive when making requests.”“You mean rude,” Adrian simply said.“Rude, sir,” Edward confirmed automatically.“Why do you put up with it?”Edward looked blank for

He met Fallon Montague in the lobby on her way out.“Mr Smith", she greeted with a strained smile.Her earlier thoughts of last-minute tasks couldn't have been more unfounded at the moment.Edward barely acknowledged her with a glance.His mind was already on the uncomfortable conversation he was about to have.The call connected just as he stepped into the elevator.“Miss Sanchez.”The line was silent for a second before Juliet's sultry tone drawled out, hard around the edges, “We don't have anything scheduled today, Mr Smith, do we?”“No, but…&rd

Romeo tore right back to Echelon.He knew nowhere else to start.Apart from the accident scene, it was the only place he had ever met Adrian.Blood seeped steadily into his shoes while every pulse sent fresh agony through his shins and hands.Yet he was more worried about the aftermath of his failure.He slowed down as he approached Echelon.Knowing full well what the result would be if he dared move closer, Romeo parked some distance away.It was far enough to avoid the guards' attention, yet close enough to watch the entrance. Unless they were actually searching, which they were not.That was when he finally allowed himself to feel.He gingerly pulled off his shoes, tears trailing down his face as the inner lining scraped against the shards buried in his feet.He tried prying them out with his fingers.Pain exploded through his foot."Argh!"Breathing hard, he switched to the edge of his key and the tip of a fingernail.Every few seconds his eyes darted back to Echelon to be sure he