AUTHOR
The study, once a symbol of cool power, now felt like a cage with a wild animal trapped inside. Shunsuke Rimestone was coming undone.
The news of the Okubo's failure had been the final, crushing blow. His empire was collapsing, and the architects of its destruction were flying home, untouched.
He paced like a madman, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His eyes, usually so cold and calculating, were wide and wild with a desperate, cornered fury. Suddenly, he stopped at his heavy oak desk. With a violent jerk, he yanked open a drawer and pulled out a sleek, black pistol.
The cold, heavy weight of the gun in his hand seemed to both calm him and fuel his madness.
Barbara, who had been watching him deteriorate with growing dread, felt her blood run cold. "Shunsuke, no!" she cried out, her voice sharp with fear. This was beyond business, beyond revenge. This was madness. "Put that down! Don't do anything rash!"
