Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Tanner pulled up to the curb in front of Dominic’s house and shifted the truck into park.
“You sure about this?” he asked.
Sylvie grabbed the bag nestled between her feet. “Max already asked that earlier.”
“But Max doesn’t know about you and Crane, does he?”
She tilted her head to look at him. “You don’t either.”
Over the past week, her text conversations with Dominic had morphed into friendship territory. Yet she still didn’t truly know the man she’d been talking to.
Was he real? Or a lie?
It was like Sylvie had two different people in her head: the woman who genuinely liked Dominic, who wanted to know more about him. Who’d even shared her secrets—true secrets—with him. And then there was the Bennett Security employee who was actively plotting to betray him.
Now here she was, right outside his house. Desperate to see him again and dreading what she had to do.
She’d never been so confused.
“I know what Priyanka told me,” Tanner said. “How you looked ready to either slap Crane, or strip him naked the first day you met?”
“Since when are you talking to Priyanka? I told you to steer clear of her.”
“I’m steering clear. But she likes to gossip in the breakroom.”
Damn it. Sylvie’s assistant would need another talking-to. “Don’t worry about me and Crane. I’ll handle it. Come on.”
She had her custom-designed bundle of programs ready to go, loaded onto a USB flash drive.
She hadn’t actually seen any of Dominic’s computers during her previous visits, but he’d mentioned those fancy porn sites.
Clearly, he had a device somewhere. She’d find it.
And if it didn’t have a USB connector, that wouldn’t stop her.
She had plenty of adapters at her disposal.
She could probably even work with his phone if need be.
Wrestling with the moral implications of her plan had presented more of a challenge. But she had a job to do.
Sylvie and Tanner approached the front door. The bell rang, and she heard it echoing in the entryway. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag as her nervousness grew.
No matter what else she thought of Crane, he’d been outwardly sweet to her. Made her feel comfortable in a way that no man had before. After their conversations, assuming he’d been genuine, she could even consider him a friend.
And he was still the most attractive man she’d ever seen. So yeah, there was that, too.
In the past week, Sylvie had gone back and forth a dozen times on whether she thought Dominic had lied to her. She kept coming to the same conclusion: even if—if—he’d done nothing to intentionally deceive her, she still couldn’t trust him to remain neutral.
If the Syndicate was threatening his life, he might be willing to make all sorts of compromises to ensure his own safety. Whether he wanted to get his leadership position back or not, Crane had no reason to show any loyalty to Bennett Security. Sylvie’s priorities were incompatible with his.
She had to protect the company and the people she cared about. It was as simple and as crucial as that.
This was going to be shitty. No way around it.
Maureen opened the door. “Sylvie, what a pleasant surprise. And you’re Tanner, isn’t that right? Lovely to see you again.” She stepped out onto the porch and pulled Sylvie into a hug.
“I’m sorry I haven’t gotten in touch before now,” Sylvie said. “How have you been?” Dominic had mentioned Maureen in some of his texts, but Sylvie hadn’t spoken to the woman directly.
“Oh, I’m fine. It’s been a bit nerve-racking, sticking around this place. But it seems that’s what’s in the cards at the moment.”
Sylvie wondered how much Maureen knew about the attack or the Syndicate’s new leader.
“What can I do for you today?” Maureen asked.
“I was hoping to take another look at the security system. We’d better make sure there won’t be any more problems.” This was the story she’d decided on to get in the door. Of course, once she and Dominic were alone, she had a different explanation for what she was doing at his house.
When she’d texted about seeing each other again, he’d seemed to be in favor. Yet he’d resisted all her attempts to set a firm date. She’d resorted to this surprise visit, thinking he wouldn’t refuse.
But to Sylvie’s disappointment, Maureen frowned. “That’s not necessary. Dominic said he’s not concerned about the security system anymore, and I suppose that’s his decision.”
“Could I talk to him about it? He might see things differently if I could explain…”
“I’m sorry, Sylvie. Dominic doesn’t want to see anyone right now. He made that clear to me. But I sure hope that you and I can visit another time?”
Before Sylvie could say anything else, Maureen had pushed the door closed. The lock snapped into place.
“That didn’t go well.” Tanner stuck his hands in his shorts pockets and rocked back on his heels.
“I know. I don’t need the commentary.” They had to assume the Syndicate was watching through the porch camera.
Shit. What was she supposed to do now? She’d assumed that Dominic would want to see her. In fact, she’d assumed he’d be eager.
She’d had this image of him pining for her, pulling her into his arms the minute they were alone. As if he’d been just as conflicted, longing to kiss her again, the way she’d been longing for him. Even though that fantasy also made her guilty as hell.
Now she felt like a dumbass. And she had no Plan B.
But they hadn’t texted last night. She’d assumed Dominic had something else to occupy him. Was he tired of her? Or was something wrong?
“Should we go get fish tacos instead?”
She leveled a glare at the bodyguard. But Tanner had a point. What else were they supposed to do? Maybe she could come back and try again later.
They started back toward Tanner’s truck. But then Crane’s front door opened, and Dominic himself stepped out onto the porch.
He wore his usual white T-shirt and jeans, his feet bare. His ankle monitor peeked out below the hem.
“Sylvie? What are you doing here?”
She turned around and walked back toward him, her chest getting tighter with every step. Even with all her planning and preparation, all her debates about whether she should do this or not, her heart still lifted at the sight of him.
Her story about the security system died on her tongue. “I missed you. I wanted to see you.”
He smiled, though the expression didn’t quite reach his eyes. She saw hesitation there, and something more she couldn’t decipher.
Could he be feeling some guilt of his own?
Dominic looked over at Tanner. “The bodyguard’s back?”
Tanner waved.
She shrugged one shoulder, her bag shifting. “After last time, I thought it wasn’t a bad idea.”
Dominic laughed, and this time his eyes lit up. “Around here, a bodyguard’s not a bad idea at all. Why don’t you both come in?”
They went into the kitchen, where Maureen was setting out a cheeseboard. “Glad Dominic changed his mind. I hated turning you away. Tanner, could I interest you in a snack?”
“You must be psychic, Ms. Maureen, because you just read my mind.” He pulled up a stool at the counter while the housekeeper blushed.
Sylvie felt Dominic’s fingers circle her wrist. He tugged her down the hall and toward the music room. They went inside, and he shut the door. Once they were alone, he let go of her and took a step back.
“I wish you hadn’t come.”
“You said in your texts you wanted to see me.”
“I do. But the last time you were here, you could’ve been hurt.”
“I wasn’t, though.”
“What about your computer? The attempt to access your system? You never told me what happened.”
That again. She’d thought he had dropped that subject. Why was he suddenly so concerned? “My firewall took care of it. They failed. Everything turned out fine.”
“No, it didn’t.” He pressed a hand over his eyes. “Sylvie…”
“What’s wrong?”
Tell me about your uncle, she thought. Tell me the truth. About everything.
Through all their conversations via text, Dominic hadn’t mentioned his present role with the Syndicate, or his lawyer Sandford, or Lana’s offer to talk privately. Which had to mean he was hiding things. But how much?
He perched his hands on his hips, staring at his feet. “When we first met, I didn’t like that you called me out for who I am. But it was fair.”
“You mean, when I called you a degenerate?” And worse.
“You know I associate with some very unsavory people, even though it’s not completely by choice. I don’t want them anywhere near you.” His eyes lifted. “I just want to keep you safe. Around me, you won’t be.”
It was like there were two different versions of Dominic Crane, too: the man who’d ruled an organized crime ring, who could’ve seduced her in order to undermine Bennett Security…
And the man she’d been talking to lately.
This man, right in front of her. The one who wanted to protect her. Who honestly seemed to care.
The alternate sides of Sylvie matched the different versions of him.
And it was tearing her apart.
“I can handle myself. Plus, I’ve got Tanner with me.”
“Yeah, what’s that about? Does he know…”
“About what happened between us before? Not specifically. But he’s my friend. I’ve done him plenty of favors in the past. He’s my wingman, I’m his wingwoman.”
“So you two haven’t ever…”
“You’re not jealous, are you?”
“I don’t get jealous. But if you have a threesome in mind, I should probably know now so I can prepare. He’s a very big guy.”
“Oh my god.” She swatted his chest with the back of her hand. “I’m not interested in Tanner like that. But if you are, don’t let me stand in your way.”
“I’m kidding. I’m not jealous. But I’d rather not share you if I can help it.”
Her body flooded with warm feelings.
In one sense, she was playing a role. Getting close to him, even lying to him, to find the hackers who were targeting her company. But this tenderness—she didn’t have to fake it.
Yet it slashed her heart down the middle, not knowing if they were both acting. If this was just layers upon layers of betrayal.
But wouldn’t it be better if this wasn’t real for him? Because then she wouldn’t have to feel so shitty about what she was doing.
She wished she knew which version was the real Dominic Crane. And which was the real Sylvie.
“So there’s no other reason you’re here?” he asked. “I saw you on the camera. I thought you were saying something to Maureen about the security system.”
“That was an excuse to be near you. But I could work on the system if you like.”
“I don’t think there’s any point.”
“You’re not worried about people coming after you again? Trying to break in?” She carefully watched his reaction.
“I am. But if they really want to get to me, I don’t think I can stop them.”
“That’s awful.”
“But I told you. That’s my life.”
“You don’t have any other choice?”
Instead of answering, Dominic backed her up against the closed door and kissed her.
His tongue teased her lips open. Dominic’s hands moved along her sides.
Was he trying to distract her? Avoid answering the question?
Avoid something else? It was working. This man had more influence over her than Sylvie wanted to admit.
If she wasn’t careful, she could get lost in him, just like she had on her last visit here. Which had nearly ended in disaster.
He smoothed the hair back from her face. “Spend the night,” he whispered. “No expectations. No pressure. We’ll just see what happens.”
Anxiety swelled in her chest, half excitement and half sorrow. She’d have all night to find his computer and upload the malware. It was going to be easier than she’d thought. But that only made her remorse more acute.
“I’d like that.”
She’d expected to see satisfaction on his face. But instead, she saw a mirror of her own regret.