2025-08-10 19:18:01
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— 85 —
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the Denver streets as Michael walked toward his car, still feeling the aches from that morning's training session. His shoulder was still bandaged from yesterday's training exercise, and his pride was still recovering from North's lecture about "showing off instead of showing results."Professor Nakamura had called an hour ago, asking Michael to meet him at a small electronics repair shop on the east side of town. Something about a lead on Ava's location, though the old man had been cryptic about the details over the phone."You sure you're okay to drive?" Lizzy asked, hovering beside his car like a concerned mother hen. "You look like you got hit by a truck.""I feel like I got hit by a truck," Michael admitted, "but I'm...functional. Besides, if Nakamura has information about Ava, I'm not waiting until tomorrow.""Just be careful," she said, giving him a quick hug. "And call if you need backup. North's guys are still in the area."Mich
— 84 —
The abandoned industrial complex on the outskirts of Denver looked like a perfect setting for a horror movie. Rusted metal beams stretched toward a gray sky, and broken windows reflected the morning sun like dead eyes. But for Michael Sullivan, this place had become something else entirely: his training ground."You ready for this, kid?" Brother North's voice boomed across the empty warehouse as he adjusted his tactical vest. The massive man looked like he could bench press a car, and his grin suggested he was about to enjoy Michael's suffering."Define ready," Michael muttered, checking his own gear. The kevlar vest felt heavy on his shoulders, but not as heavy as the knowledge that today's exercise would push him harder than anything they'd done before.Salvatore Russo emerged from behind a stack of shipping containers, his silver hair perfectly styled despite the dusty environment. "Today we test everything you've learned, boy. Scenario planning, combat tactics, and your wit. All t
— 83 —
The glass doors of Sullivan Solutions Tech gleamed in the morning sun as Michael reviewed security footage from the previous night on his tablet. Alexis sat across from him at the conference table, her red hair catching the light streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows. She was explaining something about the new clients when the receptionist's voice crackled through the intercom: "Mr. Sullivan, you have visitors. It's Phillip Medici and his...lawyer."Michael felt his jaw tighten. Then he said, "Send them to Conference Room B. And ask Marcus and Tony to join us there."Alexis raised an eyebrow and said, "This should be interesting."Michael straightened his suit jacket, another gift from Alexis that cost more than most people's monthly rent. The expensive fabric felt like armor as he walked down the hallway, his confidence growing with each step. Marcus Thompson and Tony Rivera fell into step behind him, their presence subtle but unmistakable. Both men wore perfectly fitted bus
— 82 —
The Sullivan Solutions office was brimming with energy as Michael adjusted his tie for the third time. The company's first major public presentation was about to begin, and folding chairs were arranged in neat rows facing a small stage with a projector screen, while a catering table offered coffee and pastries that Alexis had insisted were absolutely important for making the "right impression.""Stop fidgeting," Lizzy whispered, smoothing a wrinkle from her navy blue dress."I'm not fidgeting," Michael muttered, then immediately adjusted his tie again."You're totally fidgeting. Relax, darling. You know this material better than anyone," Alexis appeared beside them, looking effortlessly elegant in a turquoise suit and black stilettos. "It's not the presentation I'm worried about. It's everything else," Michael nodded toward the entrance where three well-dressed men from North's crew stood casually by the door, looking like professional security rather than reformed criminals. The pr
— 81 —
Michael sat in the corner booth of a quiet Italian restaurant three blocks from Sullivan Solutions' new office. He'd chosen this spot specifically because it had multiple exits and a clear view of the street. These days, he never ate anywhere without checking the exits first. Brother North's training had drilled that into him.The waitress refilled his coffee for the third time, shooting him concerned looks. He'd been nursing the same sandwich for forty minutes, checking his phone every few seconds. The text had been simple: "Meet me at Romano's. I have information about your android. Come alone. - D.R."Diego Reyes. The name made Michael's jaw clench. Wagner's man who'd helped with Ava's upgrade, who'd watched silently as Wagner activated that Phoenix protocol, who'd stood by while Michael lost the only... the only friend he'd ever had who truly understood him.The bell above the restaurant door chimed. Michael looked up to see Diego enter. His eyes scanned the room with before spott
— 80 —
Maxwell's home gym occupied the entire lower level of the house, complete with high-grade equipment. North whistled with approval while looking around."Ironic, isn't it?All this expensive equipment, and you never bothered to learn how to actually defend yourself," Michael said, watching as they tied Maxwell to his own rowing machine using zip ties and climbing rope. Maxwell struggled against the restraints, but North has rigged the rowing machine so that any movement created increasing tension on the cables attached to his arms and legs. The more he fought, the tighter they became."This is kidnapping. You can't just break into someone's house and tie them up," Maxwell said, his voice shaking with a mixture of fear and outrage."Funny," Michael replied as he settled into a chair that North had positioned directly in front of the rowing machine. "That's exactly what I was thinking when you grabbed Alexis off the street.""That's different. That was business," Maxwell said."Business?
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