In Times Like These Boxed Set Read online

  In Times Like These

  Mega Boxed Set

  Nathan Van Coops

  The Master Speed

  No speed of wind or water rushing by

  But you have speed far greater. You can climb

  Back up a stream of radiance to the sky,

  And back through history up the stream of time.

  And you were given this swiftness, not for haste

  Nor chiefly that you may go where you will,

  But in the rush of everything to waste,

  That you may have the power of standing still-

  Off any still or moving thing you say.

  Two such as you with such a master speed

  Cannot be parted nor be swept away

  From one another once you are agreed

  That life is only life forevermore

  Together wing to wing and oar to oar.

  — Robert Frost

  Contents

  Preface

  Clockwise & Gone

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  In Times Like These

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  The Chronothon

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  The Chronothon Glossary

  The Day After Never

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  The Warp Clock

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Grab an exclusive time travel short story to accompany this book, absolutely free! Available at www.nathanvancoops.com or download instantly right HERE!

  Clockwise & Gone

  1

  “To your promotion,” Dom said, raising the glass of champagne. “New head of Gammatech’s Safety Division.”

  Emily reached for her nearly-empty glass and held it aloft gently. “Thanks to you.”

  “I had hardly anything to do with it.” Dom snatched the bottle from the bucket of ice and quickly topped off her champagne flute. “Management at Gammatech just knows a winner when they see one.” He grinned and clinked his glass against hers. “You earned it.”

  Emily smiled and took a sip. She certainly had done everything in her power to prove herself at the energy company but that hadn’t stopped the rumors and muttering behind her back—the whispers that she was only where she was because she had slept her way to the top. Dom laughed off the idea that anyone would doubt her resume, but no one had ever said anything to him directly. He was Dominic Del Toro, son of the owner of the company. He was immune.

  Emily was not.

  She had no doubt that there would be sideways glances on Monday when she was back at the office, but she was determined to enjoy the champagne anyway. She took another sip and took in the expansive view of the illuminated city skyline. She would enjoy tonight. Monday’s problems could wait.

  The server’s reflection in the glass made her turn her gaze back to the bustling restaurant.

  “Can I interest you in any dessert this evening?” He cleared away her plate and handed it off to a passing busboy.

  “I actually hoped we could have the special tonight, Felipe. The one I called ahead about?” Dom said.

  “Of course, sir.” Felipe smiled. “I’ll get that for you right away.”

  “Call-ahead special?” Emily asked. “Wow. Courtside seats at the game, now specialty desserts— you really did go all out tonight.”

  “Well, not quite yet,” Dom said. He slid out of his seat and reached into his pocket as he stood. “There was one more thing I was hoping to discuss. One question that wasn’t in your interview from the board yesterday.”

  Emily stared at the small black box in his hand. He was getting on one knee. Oh wow, this was happening now?

  “Emily Marie Davis, from the first time I saw you, I was completely and utterly in love with you. Even all the way back at uni when you wouldn’t give me the time of day.” Dom smiled at her. “I would do absolutely anything to keep you in my life forever. Would you do me the honor of marrying me?”

  Emily stared at the sparkling diamond as he opened the box, and realized her hand was shaking when some champagne sloshed onto the table. She hastily set the glass down.

  “Oh my God. I can’t believe you are doing this.” Marriage. This was really happening.

  He grinned up at her. “So, what do you say? Would you like to be Mrs. Del Toro?”

  Emily looked into his eager eyes and slid out of her chair. Her breath seemed caught inside her, but finally she got the words out. “Yes, of course. Yes.”

  He stood to wrap his arms around her and she pressed her lips to his. Over the thrumming of her heartbeat in her ears, she registered the clapping and cheering of the other diners in the restaurant. Bu
t just barely. They may as well have been in another world.

  The elevator ride to the street was a blur. She didn’t even remember leaving the restaurant. There had been a dessert. A cake? She vaguely recalled that much. Another bottle of champagne had been opened too. That was still with them. Dom carried the half empty bottle with him to the car. As his vehicle pulled to the curb they climbed into the back laughing.

  “Home, Avery,” Dom managed, before Emily tackled him and started planting kisses all over his face.

  “Proceeding to Regency Tower.” The car’s automated response system flashed the destination on a screen and engaged its drive motor.

  Emily stopped kissing Dom long enough to admire the ring on her finger again. He’d really outdone himself this time.

  “You like it?” Dom studied her with eager eyes.

  “I love it. It’s beautiful.”

  “Still doesn’t compare to you,” Dom replied.

  As Emily reached for him again, the car’s speaker came on and the voice of Dom’s life management system, Avery, spoke. “A call coming in for you, sir. Inspector Walsh from subsection Delta.”

  “I’m a little busy right now,” Dom replied between Emily’s smothering kisses.

  “He’s all mine tonight, Avery,” Emily said.

  “The call is marked urgent,” Avery replied. “How would you like me to respond?”

  “Inspectors always think everything is urgent,” Dom said. “Tell him I’ll call him back.”

  “Yes, sir,” Avery replied.

  The car arrived at Regency Tower entirely too quickly as far as Emily was concerned. She had barely gotten Dom’s tie off him, let alone anything else. He was altogether too buttoned up for her taste.

  They were engaged. She had a fiance. It had seemed like a made-up word till now.

  She let it roll around her mind as she carried her shoes and let Dom lead her toward the elevator. Her head was decidedly fuzzy from the champagne, but something about the ring on her finger was making him irresistible tonight. She entwined her fingers through his and leaned her head onto his shoulder in the elevator. He was wearing the cologne she’d gotten him for Christmas. She took a deep breath. Yes. This was going to be a good night.

  Dom wasn’t the most physically attractive man she had ever dated. If you had asked her yesterday she might even have said he wasn’t in the top five. He lacked the height and athleticism she usually looked for. She had always dated ball players in college. Dom’s physique was far better suited for a golf course than a basketball court. His jump shot was atrocious. He worked out when he could, but as heir to the Gammatech empire, he spent far more time in board meetings than at the gym. Add in the receding hairline, and Dom might even be considered homely by some. But what he lacked in looks he had more than made up for in devotion.

  Ever since she moved back to the city, he’d been pursuing her. No. Longer than that. She could remember him trying to walk her home from parties in college, back before he’d lost his glasses. He’d always had style, and women interested in his money certainly fawned over him, but he used to show up to her games in a suit and tie. Not at all what she was looking for then. He’d even visited her in the hospital the night she tore her ACL and ended her dreams of going pro. Despite his continued attention, she’d barely given him a second glance. During the years since college she rarely thought of him at all unless it was at Christmas or her birthday. He always remembered to send a card. Real mail. Hardly anyone did that anymore.

  Those were the little things that added up in the end.

  When she finished with her energy contracts abroad and decided to search for a job back in the states, it was Dom that had contacted her immediately. He said he’d seen her resume and thought she’d be a wonderful fit at Gammatech. A management track with a salary that made competitor’s offers look laughable. How could she say no?

  The doors dinged open at the penthouse. His penthouse. Would they live here after they were married? The thought gave her pause. This was all happening so fast.

  “Avery, please set lights to level 2,” Dom said as they entered.

  The normally bright lighting dimmed to a soft glow.

  “Are you feeling okay?” Dom asked, smiling at her. Emily realized she was still latched to his arm and slowly unwrapped herself.

  “Yes. But I think I need more champagne. You’ll go find us some?”

  Dom brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. “I’m already as elated as I’ve ever been. More booze won’t help.”

  Emily grabbed his hand and kissed his fingers. “Yes, but I need a minute to get sexy for you.”

  “You’re already sexy,” Dom grinned.

  “Champagne,” Emily commanded, pointing toward the kitchen. “Your fiancee says she needs champagne!”

  He let go of her fingers and bowed, then turned toward the kitchen.

  She did not need more champagne.

  Her head was already swimming, but she was going to do this right. She pushed through the door to his bedroom and dropped her shoes near the closet doors. She should have planned ahead better. If she had known this was coming she would have tried to stash something here to wear. Something other than the yoga pants and old sweatshirt she kept stuffed in the bottom drawer of his dresser for nights she slept over. That wasn’t going to cut it tonight.

  She considered just stripping bare on the bed and waiting, but shook off the thought. She was feeling far too full from dinner to be up for that. She would opt for one of his button-down shirts. It wasn’t lingerie, but he’d still like it. Can’t beat the classics.

  A cork popped from somewhere in the vicinity of the living room.

  She ditched her dress on the floor and walked to the bathroom mirror to determine the appropriate amount of buttons to employ on the shirt. Once there she took a look at the state of her wavy chestnut hair and frowned. She was trying to get it back into some semblance of a style when Avery chimed from the other room.

  “Call from Inspector Danvers, marked as urgent.”

  “Danvers?” Dom asked. “From Sector Echo?”

  “Yes. There are also three other inspectors on the line. They’ve requested you join a community call. Shall I engage a video conference?”

  “No!” Emily shouted from the bathroom. “He’s busy.”

  “No video,” Dom said as he walked into the bedroom.

  “Hey, I’m not ready for you yet,” Emily said. “You go there.” She pointed him toward the bed.

  “I might need to take this call,” Dom said. “It sounds important.”

  “It’s Saturday night. We just got engaged. Can’t it wait?”

  “I’m just going to see what’s going on. Maybe it’s nothing.”

  Avery chimed in. “Mr. Del Toro Senior has also joined the call but is requesting a private conversation.”

  Dom squeezed Emily’s hand, then walked back into the other room.

  Emily frowned and slumped onto the bed.

  “Avery?”

  “Yes, Miss Davis?”

  “We’re going to need to talk about his priorities . . .”

  “I would be happy to provide any service Dom requires,” Avery replied.

  “I’ll bet you would,” Emily muttered.

  She propelled herself off the bed and only wavered momentarily before pushing her way out the door to the living room.

  Dom had his jacket back on and was attempting to retie his tie.

  “You’re leaving?” Emily said. “Where are you going?”

  “I need to get down to the plant and check on things. This new shipment of cooling rods I ordered for the reactor is giving us some strange indications. The inspectors called a meeting. I guess it’s pretty serious.”

  “Is everyone at the plant okay?”

  “Yeah, absolutely. Just stay here. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He finished the tie, then patted his jacket pockets, doing an inventory, before stepping over and kissing her. “Don’t go anywhere.”

&
nbsp; “Fine,” Emily said, pouting her lower lip, but adjusting his collar to better cover the tie.

  He kissed her one more time, then slipped out the door. “Be back soon.”

  Emily stood staring at the closed door for a few seconds, then turned slowly on her heel to check her other options. The newly opened bottle of champagne was still sitting on the counter. She slouched over to it and snatched one of the glasses up before trudging back to the bedroom.