Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 77354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
In the end, I didn’t have to think of any elaborate schemes, because Bennett just assumed I was coming. Like, where else would I be but by his side?
“Do you normally take it in turns between each other’s places?” I ask.
“Normally we’ll go to a restaurant or a bar. Sometimes a private members club—depending on what’s going on with everyone and how private we need to be. But at the moment, because of what’s happening at Fort, we’re keeping our meetings even more low-key.”
“So Monday night sports isn’t much about sport?”
“We always make sure there’s a screen somewhere around. But as you could probably tell when we were at Worth’s place, it’s not central to our evening.”
“Do you think Nadia’s a permanent member of your Monday Night Club?”
Bennett groans. “I hope not. As long as they don’t announce their engagement.”
“Yes, because we haven’t brought any champagne. Or a gift. Or anything.” I try to look mock panicked, and it has the intended effect. Bennett laughs. “Don’t worry, he’ll still love you if he gets married, Bennett.”
He narrows his eyes at me and takes my hand. The lift doors open on the penthouse floor and we fall silent.
Before we can knock, Leo answers the door. “My favorite people. Come in.”
Leo strikes me as a guy who’s happy for at least three hundred and sixty-three days of the year. But he’s positively effervescent tonight, and a small part of me thinks it might be because he did actually get engaged.
“We’re celebrating!” Leo says.
My stomach slips sideways and I squeeze Bennett’s hand. This seriously can’t be happening, can it?
“We just got through some really important permits at the New River development.” He slaps Bennett on the back and presses a kiss against my cheek. “Come on, guys. Let’s do some tequila.”
This is good news. It’s not an engagement.
Worth and Bennett exchange a look as we get into Leo’s main living area. It’s a huge space with three separate areas of seating and windows across two walls, framing views of the Manhattan skyline.
Nadia sees me, throws up her hands and rushes toward me like we’re long-lost friends.
Except we’re not. We didn’t even connect particularly well last time we met.
“Have some tequila.” She grabs two shot glasses and presses them into my and Bennett’s hands.
“Congratulations,” I say, trying to smile enough for Bennett and me, because I know Bennett won’t be doing his share.
“More!” Nadia says, picking up the bottle and offering out the tequila. “Let’s party.”
I don’t need to be holding Bennett’s hand to know how awkward he feels. I know he doesn’t like Nadia, but she’s Leo’s choice. He’s going to have to learn to get on with her. It will be better when we can figure out who’s attacking Fort and Monday nights can go back to being public gatherings. Or as public as a gathering in a private club can be. Then maybe Nadia won’t get invited and Bennett can get his friend back once a week at least.
Someone flips on the TV and the guys all settle on couches.
“I’m going to put out some snacks,” Nadia says.
“I’ll help if you like,” I say.
She shoots me a smile. “No worries, I got it. I quite like playing house.” She starts bustling around in a way that tacitly communicates she knows the kitchen well. I settle on a barstool as she pulls out bowls and plates, putting together some dips and crudites as well as crisps and other snacks I can’t identify.
She darts between the kitchen and the living area, ferrying food and drinks. She’s like a fifties housewife in training.
“Okay, so I’m going to freshen up. Are you okay here?” she asks. It’s nice of her to check. And she’s obviously more comfortable having some distance between her and Leo tonight. Maybe because she’s on home territory. She feels a bit more secure. I hope so. Bennett might warm to her if she gives him a bit of room.
“Of course. I need to check my emails.” I pull out my phone.
She groans. “My inbox is out of control,” she says. “I think I need to hire someone. Back in a minute. Or ten.”
She leaves, and I pull out my phone. When Aarvi and I both admitted that we were reluctant to tell Bennett it was his phone acting as a gateway into Fort, Aarvi opened up about some of her other findings. She’s convinced the reason the attacker can’t be pinpointed is because the malware isn’t attaching to Bennett’s phone. It only routes through his phone, which means the attacker needs to act while Bennett’s phone is nearby.
I wander over to the sofas and pretend to be interested in whatever’s on the TV, while checking out who’s sitting where and what phones are on display. Bennett has his phone on the table in front of him, between his legs and a bowl of corn chips. There are two phones nearby. I assume one is Worth’s and one is Leo’s, since they’re sitting either side of Bennett on the couch. But it’s not a sure thing. The malware could be coming from any of the four phones near Bennett’s right now. Aarvi said they’d have to be within a meter radius, and that means all of them are probably in range, but probably isn’t going to cut it. I need certainty. I’m not sure I’ll have an opportunity like this again.