Fearless: Complicated Creatures Part Three by Alexi Lawless

come up with an anti-ballistic interceptor system that will detect and counter short-range rockets and missiles,” Jack said. “His concept is similar to the Iron Dome tech that Israel developed to defend against Hamas. Any building we install this tech in will be beyond fortified—it’ll be a veritable castle.”
    Mitch grinned broadly. “We already have interest from D.C. on this, Jack. If we get the Department of Defense on board, imagine the potential!” Mitch shook his head. “The money from a deal like that alone would triple Roman Industries’ value overnight.”
    “I’m ready,” Jack responded, feeling a rush of energy at the prospect of getting a new idea off the ground. It’d been a long time since he’d felt so excited about anything. Anything besides Samantha, anyway.
    “I’m happy to hear that.” Mitch punched his arm. “Being back at home and working on this project with Jaime will be good for you. Once we get you back to Chicago, I think I’ll stay in the UK for a bit, make sure this side of the business is up-and-running.”
    Jack sent him an amused look. “You just like living in London, admit it.”
    “Oh come on—” Mitch laughed. “Between Savile Row suits and live football matches, what’s not to love?”
    Jack looked out at the sun shining over the water.
    “The incessant rain perhaps?”
    “I’ll take that over nine months of Chicago winter any day.”
    “Fair enough,” Jack conceded, glad that Mitch seemed happy. “It does make sense to have you at the helm, running Leviathan’s transition from there anyway. Save me from some traveling so I can focus on what’s going on at home.”
    “Speaking of which….” Mitch leaned forward. “Have you spoken with Sam?”
    Jack shook his head. “She’s sequestered herself at the ranch with a security team. I haven’t gotten much besides the fact that she’s recovering slowly and barely speaking to anyone other than her family.”
    “And the manhunt for Lightner? Does she know you had me put out a ten-million-dollar bounty?” Mitch asked carefully.
    “I don’t know,” Jack shrugged. “But I’m going to make sure that asshole has a target the size of Soldier Field on his back. I want every mercenary on the planet looking for Lightner. With that money, I’ve just insured all the best-equipped and most-invested modern-day hessians will be invested in finding that needle in the haystack.”
    Mitch rubbed his chin. “What about the woman working for Sam? The one who pulled us out after she shot Lightner? If this mystery woman was good enough to find Lightner the first time, she’ll likely manage it again,” he pointed out.
    “She just might,” Jack conceded. “But we can all do with a little help now and then.”
    Mitch shook his head, his expression bemused. “You know who she is?”
    Jack shook his head. “I don’t think anyone knows who she is, other than she’s one of the tricks up Samantha’s sleeve.”
    “One of many,” Mitch speculated with a nod. “How have you been doing without her?”
    Jack smiled grimly as he looked out over the water. “Rehab may have cured me of an addiction to painkillers, but it hasn’t changed the way I feel about that woman. Not even a little.”
    In his mind’s eye, Jack recalled Samantha’s pale form in the hospital bed, the sound of the machines the moment she’d flatlined. Nothing had hurt more during that moment. At no time in his life had Jack ever felt so utterly helpless. At no time had he been more clear of what he wanted and who he wanted it with, their dense, intricate, complicated history be damned. When everything was said and done, she was the only woman he wanted. Samantha was the only partner he wanted to spend the rest of his days and nights with. She was it for him—no other. Everyone else was always just a placeholder, the thin scaffolding between reality and the dream.
    “Had you told me six months ago I’d fall for a woman like Samantha, that I’d