Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87618 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87618 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Relief floods me.
Until he hesitates, looks back, and touches the chair.
“Still warm,” he murmurs.
Shit. Shit! How the hell did he think of that?
Fear lances into me. I don’t know what Alexan will do if he catches me. He’s never been violent with me, but there’s a dark streak in him, and he did make it clear that he didn’t want me in here. Obviously, that meant less than nothing, but still. He might be pretty pissed.
He looks around the room, a smile on his lips.
“I know you’re in here,” he says. He doesn’t move, clearly waiting for me to come out.
Screw that.
“There’s no reason to keep hiding, little thief. You can’t help yourself, can you? That locked door is like your drug. I should’ve known better.” He listens carefully, head cocked to the side.
I take tiny, silent breaths, just like my brother taught me.
“Alright, if that’s how you want to play it.” He grabs the dossier and tucks it under his arm. “I’ll put this somewhere you won’t find it. Next time, respect my privacy.”
Then he’s gone. He moves out of my line of sight. I can’t see him through the slit, even when I move. I wait a few beats and start thinking that maybe I got away with it. I can sneak downstairs, pretend like I went for a walk or something—
The door rips open.
I yelp, throwing myself backward, and my head bashes against the wall.
Chapter 21
Riley
“You’re sure you’re okay?” He frowns at me as he hands over the ice pack.
“I’m fine. Honestly, just embarrassed.” I press the ice to the back of my head. There’s a little bump forming. I feel like a total moron for reacting that way, but I hit my head hard enough to make me almost pass out. He had to catch me to keep me from falling over, and he carried me right down to the kitchen.
He studies me, lips pressed together. The folder is on the counter between us. I try thinking up some excuses, but I’m still a little muddled from banging my skull.
“Then we should talk about boundaries.”
I smile sheepishly. “I have no clue what you’re talking about.”
“That lock you picked.” His eyebrows raised slightly. “That was a good lock.”
I snort and shake my head. “Maybe ten years ago. The Primus is way out of fashion now. It’s got some good defenses against key copying, but it’s way too pickable.”
“How long did it take you?”
“Five minutes? Ten at most.”
He grunts and crosses his arms. “That’s slightly impressive.”
“Slightly? I’d like to see you do it in an hour, asshole.” I glare at him, eyes darting down to his muscular biceps before focusing on his face again.
Keep it together, Riley, it’s just a hot man, nothing special.
“The lock isn’t really the point. You weren’t supposed to go in there.”
I shrug and sit up straight. “You should be happy I did, because I’m positive I can break into that place.”
His expression darkens. “Abso-fucking-lutely not.”
“I figured you’d say that, but I can do it. The hard part will be disabling the security system, but that’s where my genius hacker husband comes in.”
“Not happening. Not even remotely happening.”
“What are our other options? You can’t crack the encryption, which means you need the key. There’s no way you’re getting inside alone, and you can’t trust someone else to take the job for you. Who’s going to rob the Mantis? Only someone desperate and a little stupid.” I spread my hands wide. “I’m your best option. And you’re lucky that I’m good, too.”
His jaw works. I beam at him and drop the ice pack onto the counter. My head’s still throbbing, but not too bad.
“I hear what you’re saying,” he concedes, “but this isn’t some normal job. If you get caught, Fong will have his soldiers flay you alive. I mean that literally. They’ll peel off your skin and pour salt over your raw flesh to make sure you don’t get sepsis. It’ll be agony.”
I let my arms drop. “That sounds unpleasant.”
“It would be the most excruciating way to die imaginable.”
“Alright, you scared me a little bit, but you still don’t have any other options.”
“I’ll find someone.” He looks away, and I can tell he’s lying. “It’ll cost, but it’s doable.”
“You’re crazy. I’m right here. My brother trained me for this, and with everything in that folder, I can pull it off.”
He levels a hard stare. “I said no, Riley. If your head’s feeling better, go back to bed and don’t talk about that folder again.”
Anger bubbles in my chest. I hate being dismissed. There’s nothing worse than being treated like I’m useless.
My father’s been talking to me like I’m a brainless moron since I was a little kid.
I don’t need it from my husband, too.
“We both know I’m right,” I say firmly, not going anywhere. I plant my hands on the counter and lean forward. “Nobody in the world is stupid enough to break into a secure Mantis office. You need me.”