"Let''s not waste time. We''ve gotta get there before dark," Debra said.


    Then they went on with their trek.


    The sky dimmed. After cutting through the fog, they reached a quiet valley boxed in by mountains.


    "This is the meeting ce, ording to the map," Kale said, ncing down.


    Debra scanned the area, but Michael was nowhere to be seen.<fn8cf7> For original chapters go to find?novel</fn8cf7>


    Her brow creased, but a voice came from behind them. "I''m here."


    She whipped around and saw Michael in a crisp white shirt.


    "Where''s Drake?" She cut straight to it.


    "I didn''t force him," Michael said, his voice as warm as ever. "He came on his own."


    He sounded the same, but he felt like a stranger. They''d been partners, tight as could be. She''d never imagined facing off like this.


    "Here''s the shares you wanted," he said. "If I can''t run the McKinney Group, this 30% is useless to me. The 10-something percent I bought? Name a fair price, and it''s yours."


    "How much do you want?" Debra asked.


    "For old times'' sake, market value," he said.


    His tone was polite, but it grated on her nerves.


    "Okay."


    "I knew you''d bite."


    He knew her too well. The McKinney Group was her lifeline. She''d never let those shares go to an enemy.


    He pulled a contract from his bag. "Here''s what you need."


    Debra stepped forward, but Kale blocked her. "We''re not done talking."


    "I told you. I didn''t take him," Michael said, shaking his head. "He came to us on his own. I tried talking sense into him, but he wouldn''t go. If you don''t buy it, he can tell you himself."


    "Drake''s here? Where is he?"


    "Grab your stuff first before I change my mind."