Page 88 of His to Hunt

I walk to the windows overlooking the city, swiping to accept the call.

"Baine," I answer, keeping my voice neutral.

"Sinclair." His voice is smooth, cultured, immediately setting my teeth on edge. "I trust I'm not interrupting."

"Cut to the chase."

He chuckles, the sound dry and humorless. "Always direct. Very well." A pause. "I've spoken with my colleagues. We've reached a... provisional decision."

My grip tightens on the phone. "Meaning?"

"Meaning we're prepared to acknowledge your claim on Luna Laurent, provided certain conditions are met."

"What conditions?"

"A service," his voice drops lower, more intimate. "Your particular expertise is required."

I go still, instantly alert. "Explain."

"Nexus Dynamics," Baine says, naming one of my firm's most prominent clients. "They've recently developed some proprietary technology that would be... valuable to certain interests of mine."

"You want me to steal from my own client," I state flatly, the implications clear.

"I prefer to think of it as reallocation of information," Baine replies smoothly. "Their new quantum encryption algorithm would be particularly useful. The complete source code and implementation protocols should suffice."

My jaw clenches. What he's asking would not only violate every professional principle I stand for, but could result in federal charges, the destruction of my company, and years in prison.

"You're asking me to commit corporate espionage against a client who hired me specifically to prevent such breaches," I say, voice carefully controlled.

"I'm offering you a choice," Baine corrects. "Your business principles or your... personal interests. It seems a simple calculation from where I stand."

Luna for my integrity. My Possession for my professional destruction.

"And if these conditions are met?" I ask, mind already racing through possibilities, contingencies, angles.

"Then the matter is closed. Luna Laurent remains your recognized Possession. The Club takes no further interest in her... unusual acquisition."

I let silence hang for a moment, making him wait for my answer though we both know what it will be.

"I'll need time," I say finally. "That level of security can't be breached overnight. Not without leaving traces."

"You have one week," Baine replies. "I understand that's more than sufficient for someone of your capabilities."

"Is that all?" I ask, impatience edging into my tone.

"Just one more thing," Baine adds. "Since you've shown such... dedication to procedure, you should know there's been unusual interest in your Possession."

My body goes still. "Explain."

"Christopher Finch. He's been making inquiries about Club membership. Very specific inquiries about our rules regarding claimed Possessions."

Ice slides down my spine. The timing is too convenient to be coincidence.

"I should warn you," Baine continues, his voice deceptively casual, "that our bylaws do permit challenges to Possessionclaims under certain circumstances. Historical connections, prior agreements... that sort of thing."

"There are no prior claims on Luna," I state flatly.

"Perhaps not official ones." I can practically hear his shrug. "But Mr. Finch seems quite determined. I thought you should be informed."

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