Contributor (Contributor Trilogy, book 1) (11 page)

Joshua looked relieved as he nodded. "Yes, that was my idea as well."

"Let's take turns going to the med center too. There's a lot that needs to be done around here to get things ready."

"I don't know what I'd do without you." He took her hand and pressed it between both of his.

"We're a family," Dara said, a lump rising in her throat.

"Nothing and no one can change that," her father replied ferociously.

Chapter 14

A little over a week after Leona's accident, the apprentices received some unexpected news. As Dara entered the engineering division, she saw that Andersen and the senior engineers were deep in discussion. Dara tried not to be too obvious as she went to her station and pretended to work, watching them rather uneasily out of the corner of her eye all the while.

"What do you think is going on?" Javier murmured, somehow managing to speak without moving his lips.

"I don't know. They didn't say anything before I got here?"

"Not a word," he said, and she couldn't help but wonder if she should trust him. "Not sure if that means they're not going to tell us anything or if they're just waiting for LeTour to get here."

Dara wondered where Ryan was. He was always in a foul mood when he arrived last, and she didn't feel like putting up with him. True to form, a scowl darkened his face when he walked in several minutes later. Javier smiled pleasantly, but Dara gave him nothing more than the most perfunctory of glances.

"Good morning, sir," Ryan said to Andersen, but the Head of Engineering was so caught up in his conversation, he didn't hear. Ryan flushed and Javier smirked at him, making Ryan's color rise higher.

"Look who the cat dragged in," Ryan whispered to Dara. "You're looking ragged lately. Think you'll be able to concentrate today?"

Her temper flared and she almost snapped at him, but she reminded herself that it would harm her more than it would him. Just then, Andersen and the senior engineers approached, sparing Dara the worst of the onslaught she felt certain Ryan was preparing.

"Apprentices, the senior engineering staff will be meeting with Zhang Agritech Systems next week to discuss a joint venture, and one of you will be selected to accompany us," Andersen announced. "Whichever of you is skilled enough to earn a place on the joint team will gain invaluable experience."

"You're fortunate that any of you are even being considered for the opportunity," Chen said, fidgeting. "Apprentices rarely get to be involved in these projects." He fixed his gaze on Ryan.

"This is an amazing opportunity, sir," Ryan said sycophantically. His words seemed to please Andersen, who nodded. Chen avidly observed the entire exchange.

"The chosen apprentice will be tasked with taking notes and organizing my materials," Andersen said. "I can't stress the importance of these tasks enough. There's absolutely no room for error."

The apprentices nodded solemnly. While Dara was thrilled at the thought of being privy to such high-level business talks, she felt queasy at the prospect of having to compete for the opportunity. There was no way either Javier or Ryan would hold anything back.

"The senior engineers and I will be meeting for the next few hours, and we are not to be disturbed. I've left a task list for each of you."

"Yes, sir," the three apprentices replied, like obedient schoolchildren.

As Andersen led the senior engineers away, Letizia looked over her shoulder, giving Dara a look so piercing it made her squirm.

Throwing herself into her work, Dara completed the tasks Andersen had given so quickly that she had time to do a little additional work. This earned her an approving nod from Andersen, which he delivered in front of both the senior engineers and the apprentices, making it all the sweeter.

"Well done," Letizia whispered, as they followed Andersen to a conference room.

"Thanks," Dara said, distractedly. The more she thought about the upcoming competition, the more it made her sweat.

As Andersen outlined the proposal requirements, Dara's stomach grew as heavy as a lead weight. How could she possibly spare the time for this?

The meeting finally ended a half an hour after shift change, and Dara felt like every last drop of energy had been drained from her body. The senior engineers all swept out with their apprentices in tow, talking in hushed tones.

Dara knew she would never be able to put together a presentation that would wow Anderson on her own. She turned to her master and asked, "Letizia, can you—"

"I'll be over tonight," Letizia interrupted. "I know you have a lot going on, but it's critical that you're the one to win the spot on the joint team. If you do, it'll be almost impossible for the other two to regain the ground they'll lose."

Letizia's words made Dara even more apprehensive, and she nodded unhappily.

"I'll be over in an hour," Letizia said when they reached the front door, where Jonathan waited. With a brief wave at Jonathan, Letizia headed off.

"How was your day?" Jonathan asked. Dara knew he wanted to ask more but refrained, due to the crush of Magnum personnel passing by.

Dara waited until the congestion outside died down a bit. "Magnum is starting a joint venture with Zhang, and Andersen is making us compete for a spot on the team. Letizia's coming over tonight to help me work on my proposal."

"But I thought your dad had to work an extra few hours."

"He does." Dara rubbed a hand over her tired eyes.

"How are you going to work on the apartment tonight?"

"I'm not. I guess my dad and I will both have to stay up all night tomorrow working."

"No," Jonathan said firmly, jolting Dara back to reality. Perplexed, she looked up at him and saw his concern. "I'm coming over tonight. I'll take care of things while you and Letizia work on your proposal. I won't disturb you if you work in the study."

"But, Jon, I thought you had an early meeting tomorrow and you needed—"

"It's already taken care of. Really," he added, seeing the doubtful look on her face. "Let me help you."

The quiet pleading in his voice nearly undid her and she nodded, tears gathering. "Okay."

"Thank you."

When they reached Dara's apartment, Jonathan glanced around to be sure no one was within listening distance but, even so, he leaned closer to her and lowered his voice. "Just be careful with Letizia, okay?"

"What do you mean?" she asked, surprised.

"It's just...there may be a reason she's being so nice to you."

Dara stared at him in amazement, her spine stiffening. "You don't think—"

"I don't know what I think," he confessed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I mean, I appreciate that she's helping you, but you can't be sure what's going on. Maybe there's more to her than meets the eye."

"What? You think she's plotting against me or something?" Dara didn't know whether to be alarmed or disgusted. She knew his concerns weren't entirely off base—backstabbing was something of a sport amongst Contributors.

"I'm not really saying that. It's more that her help may come with a price."

"You think she might ask me to return the favor at some point?" Her voice dropped as she considered this thought.

"Nothing in life is free." Though his voice was gentle, she felt the starkness of his words.

"Nothing, huh?" she asked, giving him a lopsided grin.

He blanched a bit. "Dara, I didn't mean it like that. You and I—"

"No, forget it. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."

"It's okay," he said softly. "So much is happening to you right now, and I'm worried. I'm just looking out for you."

She softened. "I know, Jonathan. But I don't think Letizia has an ulterior motive. There's a lot at stake for her too. Still, I promise I'll be careful."

"Good," he said. He bent down and brushed a soft kiss over her cheek. "Just give me an hour, then I'll be back to help you."

"Thank you." Her eyes filled with tears again, and she unconsciously clutched at the lapels of his jacket. Lately, she had the feeling he was the one thing keeping her together.

"I'll always be here for you, Dara. Always," he promised. Gently, he disengaged her hands and kissed them. He waited while she opened the door to her apartment, and was still standing there when the doors closed.

Dara fell back against them, letting them support her as she closed her eyes, so that she wouldn't have to see all the things that still needed to be done. Even with Jonathan's help tonight, she wasn't sure she and her father could manage everything. Resolutely, she pushed off the doors and headed to her room to change. If she stood still for too long, she might never move again.

Chapter 15

"It's fairly good," Letizia said, a faint crease appearing between her eyebrows. They had been at it for four hours already, and Dara's eyes burned.

Jonathan had left about a half hour ago, placing a mug of much-needed coffee in Dara's hands. Her father had returned from his shift late, mumbling his way through an introduction to Letizia before stumbling off to his room.

"But?" Dara asked, taking a sip of cold coffee, hoping it would help fortify her.

"But that's the problem: it's fairly good, which means it won't pass muster with Andersen."

Too tired to feel anything but numb, Dara rubbed a hand over her forehead. "So what should I do?"

"Your research isn't deep enough. You have good working knowledge, but you haven't uncovered anything important, anything innovative."

"I studied every source you recommended." She was barely able to suppress a sigh of exasperation.

"Then look for others. Dara, you need to get your head in the game." The ferocity in Letizia's voice startled Dara out of her torpor. "I told you, I'll do what I can, but you have got to make sure you're not slacking. Gutierrez and LeTour aren't about to make this easy on you, and Andersen is not going to make allowances for your personal problems. You know that."

"I know, I know. You're right. But I'm trying my best."

"Try harder."

Dara threw her hands up in the air. "Maybe I'm just not cut out for this. Maybe I don't deserve to be Andersen's apprentice!" she blurted, her frustration getting the better of her.

"Oh, I see. So throw it all away. What will become of you then?" Letizia asked caustically.

Though she knew Letizia was right, Dara stubbornly held onto her sense of righteous indignation. "It's just too hard." The words sounded like they'd been spoken by a petulant child, and Dara winced.

"Do you think anyone cares about that?" Letizia's voice was like chips of ice. "Since when has fairness ever been part of the equation?"

"I just... I didn't... I thought..." Dara cast around for the words, but they wouldn't come. She knew Letizia was not the type to coddle her and that, no matter what she said, the other woman would come back at her with a healthy dose of reality. It didn't matter that Dara was already drowning in her own reality.

Letizia sighed and rubbed her face, her shoulders slumping slightly. The realization that Letizia was engaged in an endless battle struck Dara, and it looked like the battles was taking its toll on her master.

"Look, I don't say these things to be mean," Letizia said, her voice softer this time. She stilled for a moment, her head in her hands, and then lifted it to look Dara in the eye. "Did I ever tell you about the assistant Andersen had two years ago?"

"No, you didn't," Dara said slowly. She felt a shiver of dread race up her spine.

"You remind me of her, a little. She was extremely smart and driven, and Andersen was very hard on her. But no matter what he threw at her, she learned how to take it. From every indication, she had a very bright future ahead of her at Magnum."

Dara's mouth went dry, and her palms began to sweat. For some reason, she didn't want to know how the story ended.

"Letizia, is it really...appropriate to tell me about this? I mean, I appreciate you helping me out, but I'll be working with Andersen's former assistant, and I probably shouldn't know..." her voice trailed off at the sight of Letizia shaking her head.