CHAPTER NINETY EIGHT – ONE DAY FOR RESTING

His fiery determination was admirable, but there was an unmistakable current of desperation in his words that caused a knot of worry to form in Kayla's gut. Between Remington's corporate machinations and the internal feuding, they were being attacked on all fronts. The moment hung suspended in the air between them - fragile yet indomitable. Then, clearing his throat gruffly, Lance turned and moved towards the expansive window overlooking the city skyline. Kayla watched as he stared out at the vast vista, seeming to draw strength from the panorama he'd helped build from the ashes of his youth. Squaring those broad shoulders once more, he turned back to face her, the familiar aura of cool command settling over him like a cloak. "We have a company to defend from those circling vultures," he stated, his deep voice ringing with steely conviction. "Starting now, we pull out all the stops to neutralize these various threats - Munroe, Remington, the dissident family members...all of them."