Read Online Any Price by Gail Faulkner - Free Book Online Page A

as the madman with a bomb or the fact that today’s events shadow history. I feel you, Kenna. I know what a threat is and what it isn’t. You never were one. We have bigger problems. I suspect getting things right between you and me is an imperative we don’t yet understand. History is becoming heavy.”
    “Heavy,” Kenna echoed as they regarded each other. “Yes, heavy.” She took a deep breath and plowed on to the next issue. “You know my feelings. It’s this easy to hurt each other. The connection makes us unbelievably vulnerable. If we can’t compromise, I suspect we could kill each other.”
    “True, the pain we can inflict is unlimited. But remember, there is always an opposite to every force.” He smiled. He wasn’t ever going to look like a teddy bear, but he put as much gentleness into the smile as he could manage. “I would prefer that opposite, baby. Can we agree on that?”
    Kenna’s pulse picked up. Well aware he could read her response, she felt defensive. “Smiling at me is not fair. You have to quit that.”
    “Fair is a variable concept. Almost never applies,” he responded. “We have to get out there. Can you accept my promise? Can you feel how strongly I want to make this right between us?”
    The pain she’d felt didn’t disappear but it did slide into understanding. His regret folded around the sharp edges. Taking responsibility for her part of the misunderstanding gave it a new place between them. Knowledge they’d both paid dearly for.
    Lore nodded. All traces of the smile gone. “Ready?”
    “I suppose.”
    Lore opened the limo door. Surprisingly, the security officer reaching in to hand Kenna out was Thomas.
    “Good grief. That was a quick change,” she marveled at Thomas, who she’d last seen kneeling before her on the playing field, fully encased in a suit of armor.
    “Yes, my lady,” he agreed with a grin as he released her hand to Lore.
    “Remember whom she stands beside, Thomas,” Lore warned quietly. Even though Lore understood the blood oath Thomas had taken, he found it difficult to control a snarl of warning at the pup.
    The gathering before them included dignitaries and captains of industry from across the globe. Only part of Lore’s attention focused on the people greeting them and the ensuing conversations. He never released Kenna’s hand, so she was aware of his continual searching into the crowd. He was seeking anything, everything, watchful with his entire being, on guard.
    As the Chinese delegation approached, Lore felt a surge of recognition flow from Kenna to him. She disengaged her hand and clasped them together before her face, bowing in the traditional Chinese greeting.
    The leader of the delegation was an imposing older gentleman with a deeply lined face. The dignified old man greeted her in like fashion. The exchange was done in Chinese. Lore could feel her understanding even if he didn’t understand the words. She was speaking fluent Mandarin. The translator accompanying them translated to English. Lore smiled.
    The Russians approached and she greeted them in Russian. This time she didn’t seem to know anyone in the delegation. Her sliding in and out of the language relaxed and charmed everyone she spoke with. Lore had no trouble recognizing that this obviously was not her first stroll on an international stage.
    The experience repeated with the French and Germans before Lore leaned down to her ear. “How many languages do you speak?”
    “Six. But not Hungarian,” Kenna replied in disgust.
    “Amazing. I guess you’ll pick it up fast?”
    “I would be able to understand it in two months if I were to stay and hear it every day. Of course, reading would take longer but only studying one language at a time might make it easier this time,” Kenna mused almost to herself.
    Lore looked at her speculatively. “What is your profession?”
    “International investment banking. I know, I know. It sounds dry and boring but it’s not really…”