Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
I can’t breathe. Fear flexes icy fingers beneath my skin. I scrutinize the computers before facing the threat again. “You want me to conduct work for you, and then you’re going to kill me?”
“Your fate is in your own hands.” He presses his lips together as if not wanting to say anything further and then sighs. “If this helps, I don’t like killing innocent women, and from everything I can tell, you’re about as innocent as they come.”
The hottie Russian is dead wrong about that. Rosalie obviously hasn’t told him that I nearly killed Thorn Beathach on purpose. That’s a fact I’ll keep to myself. “You don’t seem like a guy who breaks your promises.”
“I’m not, but your death would greatly upset Rosalie, which would upset me. Also, some things are more important than promises to the head of gangs, don’t you think?”
“I truly do when it involves my life,” I say quickly. Is he messing with me?
He smiles. “You’re funny. I see why you and Rosalie are friends.”
I rather he considers me funny than a threat. “I imagine a hit has been taken out on me by my stepmother,” I say. “I’m surprised she has done so in a way that can be traced.”
“The contract can’t be traced.” Alexei contradicts me. “Obviously, money has changed hands, so maybe you should investigate. I’ve given you enough computers to do so.”
“Yes, you have,” I say, curious at the power I have here. Not that I haven’t built my own. “What do you want from me?”
“I want you to conduct a deep dive on everyone involved in my case and figure out who set me up,” he says. “I also want all information that you can possibly find on Hologrid Hub, my stepmother, and my half brother. I mean absolutely everything, Ella. Then I want you to start hacking into their systems.”
I throw up my hands. “I’m still trying to hack into TimeGem’s systems. These things take time. Probably a lot of time.”
“They’ll take as long as we need.”
I sit up. “You can’t kidnap somebody for that duration of time.”
He carelessly lifts one shoulder. He looks every inch the mafia don today in long black slacks, a white button-down shirt, and a gilded watch encrusted with amethysts.
He should be careful. I know how to infect those.
“Who’s going to miss you?” he asked, his voice not unkind. “Besides Rosalie and Alana, you’re not close with anybody.”
“Yeah, but Rosalie and Alana count,” I retort instantly. “Alana has the force of two of the most powerful families on earth behind her. Rosalie has a law firm.”
His smile shows even teeth. “I’m not afraid of other families or little law firms, Ella.”
Why would he be? I lower my chin and make sure I have his full attention. “Rosalie loves nine people in this entire world—her seven boarders, Alana, and me. She won’t forgive you if anything happens to me.”
“I’m well aware of that fact.” He gestures to the computers. “I have safeguards in place that if you try to reach out for help or to any of your contacts, I will be alerted immediately, and the entire system will shut down. Your reach has been limited to the police force, anyone connected with Hologrid Hub, and Nero Tech.”
I look at the consoles. “What is Nero Tech?”
“It’s a company here in town, and I want to know everything about its owner, Harold Fissure.”
I’ve heard of the guy but that’s about it. “There are very few people in the world who could have created safeguards like you have in place here.”
“I’m well aware. One of them set this up for me.”
My fingers itch to reach for a keyboard. “Then why do you need me?”
“He’s a contractor and only had so much time. Plus, he’s good, but he is not as good as you,” Alexei admits. “The years you’ve spent trying to hack into TimeGem are invaluable for hacking into Hologrid Hub, I assume. Nobody has that knowledge like you do.”
It’s a fact, and I’m impressed by his ability to put information into order. This guy knows what he’s doing. “If I say no?”
“You’re not going to say no,” he says, as if the idea hasn’t occurred to him. “You lack money, and I’m willing to pay you very handsomely. I’ll make you a rich woman just from this job alone.”
I’m tempted. The more money I have, the better my chances are in regaining control of my company. “Why didn’t you just ask?”
“Because you would’ve said no.”
He’s right. No amount of money would’ve forced me to work with him. “What if I decline your offer right now?”
He shrugs. “You’re not going anywhere until you do as I ask. This is a nice place to live, but I know you’re someone who values freedom.”
“I am.” So, he’s studied me a little bit.