Total pages in book: 165
Estimated words: 154925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 775(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 775(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
Yeah, she’d heard that before. She ignored him, getting to the good stuff. “Did The Consortium kill him? Were you there?” Her stomach took a dive, proving to her she still could feel some compassion. “Oh, please tell me Drake wasn’t forced to kill his father.”
She wasn’t crazy about the man, but she wouldn’t wish that on anyone. She knew what it was like to have problems with a dad.
Kyle’s jaw had dropped slightly, and he took a moment before he replied. “Why do you think Drake would kill his father?”
Oh, had he thought she would sit in her appointed room like a good girl? He’d given up all access to her good girl side when he’d walked away. His face had gone from that momentary surprise to a damn fine poker face. Like he wasn’t going to give anything away. He didn’t have to. She already knew. “Because I think Don Radcliffe is a member of The Consortium. I don’t have absolute proof, but there’s a pattern of behavior especially in his financials that can’t be denied.”
If there was one place where she might be willing to spend time with him, it was work. The case was everything to her, and she would put aside her pride to take Julia Ennis down.
“What the fuck has my uncle been letting you do?”
“Letting? Ian doesn’t let me do anything.” She’d been an idiot to think Kyle would want to talk about the case with her. She was also being foolish to try to discuss this with him. “What are you doing here?”
“How deep have you gone? I need to know which system you used to do your research. Is it your primary system? Or one you leave at the office?” He moved into the living room, going for her laptop bag.
“Hey, I didn’t say you could touch that.”
“Is it this system, Mae?” His voice had gone cold.
What was going on with him? “Kyle, it doesn’t matter what system I’m on. I’m smart. No one can trace me. I know you think I’m some idiotic damsel in distress, but I do know what I’m doing when it comes to this.”
“You have no idea what Julia can do and what kind of resources she has at her fingertips.” Kyle reached into her bag and pulled out her sleek laptop. “Was it this system?”
“I’ve used several systems. What exactly do you think is going to happen?” She wasn’t going to explain the exhaustive protocols she went through to make sure no one could find her. And she’d only hacked a couple of systems. Four or five. Ten at most.
The lights suddenly went out.
“Get down!” Kyle yelled as a red dot showed up, a vivid splash of color against his white shirt.
She heard glass break as her body hit the floor.
* * * *
Kyle’s whole system flooded with pure adrenaline as he covered MaeBe with his body. He had his chest over her head, that luscious ass of hers up against his pelvis and her head nestled under his chin. She’d gone still, and he was thankful that she wasn’t fighting him.
Or simply kicking him in the balls again because it was obvious to him that Mae had some issues she wanted to work through.
But that would have to wait because she’d basically told Julia she was ready for their war to begin.
“Hey, are you all right?” West’s voice came from behind him to the right.
“Yes. Stay behind that wall,” Kyle ordered. “I assure you that whoever is on the other end of that rifle knows you’re there and they’re watching. They won’t hesitate to take you out.”
“Is it Julia?” Mae asked quietly.
At least now she might believe him. “Not her personally. She’s actually not a good sniper. She’s much better up close, but I’m sure The Consortium will provide. I’m going to roll to the side and you’re going to carefully move back. Slide on your belly and keep your head down. I have no idea what kind of tech they’re using. Hopefully they’re far enough away they can’t use heat scanners to detect movement.”
“There’s nothing that strong on the…” She sighed. “I was going to say on the market, but that doesn’t matter. If The Consortium can dream it, they can probably build it. All right. I’ll move back to West. How do you want to play this? Call the cops?”
“They’ll own at least a few of them.” He’d expected her to show some fear but she was completely steady. “I’m moving now. Go slow. Don’t stand up until you get to West, and then we’ll move out of here. Leave that fucking laptop behind, Mae.”
He could practically hear that brat’s eyes rolling. “Like I need the laptop. I can use any laptop. My car’s downstairs in the garage. We can make a run for it.”