Page 67 of The Firefighter's Fate

Him.

Connor Penmayne, why are you taking over my head?

33

EMBER

The gates of the Penmayne mansion open up, and I am slowly driven inside the dragon’s den. I’m pretty damn terrified, that’s for sure. The walls give way to a large compound full of everything a billionaire family would want or need – helicopter pads, luscious gardens, and a long driveway leading up to a grand old house. There’s a simple unfussiness to the splendor on display here. It’s an ancient building by North American standards – all red brick and Victorian features. Large windows and white columns support a portico.

People back at work have rarely been in here, even though Waylen prefers to work from this mansion rather than any fancy skyscraper. But, despite that, the Penmaynes tend to keep their Crystal River home as separate from their business dealings. They don’t usually invite people from his work world here. This is a private space - their real home, despite all their property everywhere else in the world.

Yeah, and it’s super intimidating. This quiet grandeur is all very different from the down-to-earth rough Connor Penmayne I’ve gotten to know. No wonder he feels like he doesn’t belong here.

Waylen has asked to see me. That’s the only reason why I’m here.

And, despite my journalist background handling situations like these, I am absolutely terrified.

Outside the front door of the main building, a butler dressed in a sharp suit is waiting for me with a frown.

“Ember Mortensen?” he asks me as I step out of the car that Waylen sent to the motel for me.

“Yep, that’s me. Hello.”

“Follow me.”

Gee, no charm or cheeriness here, then.

I’ve come to expect that from the Penmaynes. Money allows you the freedom not to engage in small talk or common manners.

I don’t know what I’m expecting from this place, but inside the main mansion, I am not disappointed.

There are framed artworks that hang on the walls. A widespread staircase leads up and up and up to the higher levels intimidates. Everything is so grand and so well-maintained - they must have a small army of staff just to tend to everything in here.

Without allowing me to pause and admire, the butler guides me upstairs to the top level. He takes me all the way to a closed set of double doors.

“This is Mr. Penmayne’s office,” he tells me in a flat, unemotional tone. “Not many people are invited in here.”

“I feel so very honored,” I reply.

If the butler detects sarcasm in my tone, he doesn’t show it.

“Please be respectful of Mr. Penmayne’s time. He’s a very busy person.”

“Oh, yes. I know.”

The butler knocks on the door before swinging it open.

Waylen Penmayne is sitting behind his desk, signing a form with all the coiled, languid energy of a predator feline. He looks just as scary as he did back in his penthouse office in the city. His perfect grey hair shines from the light emanating from the window behind him. His eyes are lasers glimmering across the room.

The butler shuts the door behind us, leaving me alone with the great man.

I slowly walk over to the desk.

Why have I been summoned?

Waylen finally lifts his head to look at me dead in the eyes.

“How are you finding Crystal River, Ember?” he asks in his deep, smooth voice.

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