Forked Lightning

Max Anders put the phone down. Kayden's new beau was a problem. It was bad enough that his ex-wife had replaced him, but that she had done it with someone in the same social circles was an insult. He was supposed to be her ticket to status and respect, her only chance to be something more than an obscure designer. When she'd turned up at the Mayor's Gala on the arm of that alleged CEO, he'd wanted to hit her. At first he'd been convinced she'd chosen the man just to get back at him for Nessa and Jess, but when his inferior had to gall to smile and say Kayden had traded up, and have the Mayor's wife giggle delightedly and go to spread the rumours...

Hookwolf demanded Kayden's boyfriend's death for insulting the Empire and Max had been pleased to agree, with orders to make it ignominous, painful, and public. Whatever had brought the CEO out of his protective obscurity, it would be completely understandable that the Empire should make an example of this living affront to their beliefs. Anders had even set aside funds to buy the firms out, saving the jobs of the right sort of people, while cementing his holding on another sector of the city.

He didn't understand why the plan was failing, and this was becoming frustrating. He'd sent Cricket to the man's house, but somehow he had been warned and hadn't been there. Trying to hit his corporate HQ had failed, his spies barred from any sensitive information. He was certain they hadn't been detected, but they hadn't been able to access anywhere useful.

When Hookwolf had seen the man out walking with what was presumably his bodyguard, he had attacked, and now Hookwolf was in PRT custody due to a trap set by Ms Militia and Armsmaster. It was only then he'd thought to check, and sure enough among the government construction works were PRT contracts.

And now Kayden had defied him over Aster and Theo. He had to break this up before Kayden slipped his grasp completely. Establishment to the core, the boyfriend actually had the funds to fight Max in court, doubtless why she had attached herself to him. She had already been coached, it was obvious from the wording, trying to set verbal traps for him that he believed he had evaded. In the photo frame on his desk, blades sprouted as he watched, slicing the image of their wedding apart into strips.

#

Kayden finished dusting the blush on her cheeks and checked herself in the mirror. She'd do. "Theo, there's $30 on the table, get yourself some food and a film."

"Sure." The reply came from the living room, where he was playing with Aster on the floor. Kayden smiled, about to say something, and the doorbell rang. She paused, swallowed, and Theo looked up. He was almost smiling. "You look great." Encouraged, she drew herself up and opened the apartment door. Her date was waiting, suited, smart, but the lines in his face were deeper.

"Are you okay? You look tired." That was not how she was supposed to greet him. Max would have taken it badly, but he smiled.

"Bad day at the office." He gave her a peck on the cheek and produced a bouquet of flowers from behind his back. Roses and asters, and she smiled as she smelt the sweet scent. Standing aside she let him in and shut the door. "New information, so I had to revise my plans."

"Max phoned," she said, wanting to get it out of the way as she found a vase and slid the flowers in. "I told him what we agreed."

"Good. Did you record it?" She nodded, still feeling like a traitor. He put his arm round her. "Well done. I know it's hard, but it is for Aster."

"Yes. For Aster. And Theo."

"Given his age, Theo gets his own representation, and a say in court over who he lives with," he said, smoothly. She heard the sudden, hopeful, gasp from the next room. "Trust me and you'll get custody of both. If Theo wants." She smiled, wondering how she'd been so lucky to get a man like this in her life. A better person than Max by far, and someone who could actually fight him. "Anyway, f-forget about Max. What do you want for Christmas?"

"Max out of my life, custody of Aster and Theo, a wonderful partner..." she trailed off, wondering if she was too forward, but he smiled.

"One thing at a time."

"What would you like?" she asked, hoping she wouldn't put him off. He pulled back and gave her an exaggerated look up and down from top to bottom. She giggled, feeling like a girl again instead of a mother of two.

"One thing at a time," she joked, and wondered how she'd come so far from the Empire ideals she'd even consider this. He smirked and produced two tickets to the exclusive opening of the new design gallery.

"Ready, Kayden?" He offered an arm. She threaded hers through his, enjoying the contrast of his dark fingers as they lay across her pale skin.

"Certainly, Thomas."