Exclusive Extra: Deleted Scene From Last Guard
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Author's Note: I was going through my files when I found this short snippet that I deleted from Last Guard.
I can't tell you exactly why it didn't make it into the book. These are decisions I make while writing - and many times, it has to do with the flow and tempo of a chapter, or of what information is necessary at which moment.
I hesitated to share it, both because it's so short, and because it's more of a sketch of a scene than a full scene. But I thought you might enjoy the glimpse behind the scenes, so to speak.
Importantly - because I removed this snippet from the manuscript before I checked for continuity etc, there may be errors in it, and it definitely won't fit directly into the book. Keep that in mind as you read this little glimpse of Kaleb and Sahara in work mode at home.
Deleted Kaleb/Sahara Scene from Last Guard
by Nalini Singh
Kaleb was about to mention the Rao conglomerate’s extensive business interests when Sahara clicked her fingers.
“I remember now. The Rao family offered one of the commercial Es in the collective a contract for a series of negotiations. She accepted and it all went fine until Lalit Rao came in for the final two meetings.
“She said he never did anything to her, but she got a really bad feeling off him.” Lines forming between her eyebrows. “We take that kind of report seriously, since Es mostly try to see the good in everyone.”
“I know.”
Sahara laughed at his tone. “You’ll have to get used to Es smiling at you—they see the light beyond the dark.”
Kaleb said nothing to that. He knew what lived in him and so did she. Apparently Es were either blind to that or too loyal to Sahara to speak against him. She wasn’t an E, but she worked so closely with them that they considered her one by default.
“Anyway, we put him on the watch list—no contracts where he’s going to be present, unless it’s at least two Es working together.”
“Anything on Payal?”
“Wait.” Getting up from her seat at the breakfast counter, she disappeared for a minute before returning with a paper-thin prototype organizer currently being manufactured by one of his business arms.
He played with the dark strands of her messily tangled hair while she worked. He loved how she allowed it to be wild when at home alone with him, loved that she had no barriers against him, not even the trappings required for both of them to be deemed “normal.”
“Here you go—Payal Rao’s mentioned in the report from the E.” Sahara read out the section. “‘I have zero hesitation in working with Payal Rao. She’s precise in her instructions, and has a calm presence that makes it extremely comfortable to be near her.’” She looked up. “Does that align with what you know of her?”
“I don’t really know her. We’ve had the odd business interaction, but at a shallow level.”
“Well, given the situation, you won't be able to talk to her for a while.” Sahara leaned her body into his as he bracketed her with his arms, his hands braced against the counter. “She’s not a dual cardinal for one. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s flamed out.”
“What happens if an anchor flames out?” Kaleb murmured. “I’ve heard nothing of Delhi collapsing, so their minds must maintain the anchor network regardless.” Odd to consider that he’d never before thought of such a fundamental aspect of Net physics; a dangerous gap in his education and knowledge.
“Aren’t anchors woven into the Net somehow?” Sahara put aside the organizer and turned on the stool to face him, her hands stroking up the crisp white of his shirt. “It’s probably like breathing to them. An autonomic response.”
Kaleb nodded slowly. “I’ll contact her tomorrow.”
Copyright © 2021 by Nalini Singh
