Chapter 3
Ever since I was a child, if something interested me, I learned it by myself. My parents never showed interest in teaching me, and the governesses Grandmother hired focused more on instilling good manners. Meanwhile, Grandmother constantly reminded us of our roles and duties.
Every Friday, we had to sit at the dinner table while Grandmother drilled into us that Family comes first, and we come second. All we had to know by heart was to respect and follow the rules. That also implied excelling in school.
I forgot when exactly my fascination with hacking awakened, but once I discovered there’s a whole other world behind the regular web, I was intrigued. Deciphering the language of coding opened a new universe, and I crawled deeper and deeper to uncover its mysteries. Once I felt that addictive power at the tips of my fingers, everything changed. Plus, I loved the anonymity it provided me. It’s never about gender, your last name, or even where you come from. You’re known by a handle, which becomes your identity and reputation.
I learned some things by observing others, and some I stumbled upon and had to learn on my own.
I am studying for a dual degree in IT and media. As I sit in class, the professor drones on about the advancement of digital technology and multi-platform news publication. Meanwhile, I’m focused on implementing a security program for my next class. The course is advanced, and the professor handpicked twenty students, and I’m one of them, even though I learned how to do this years ago.
Maybe it was my own hubris, thinking I was untouchable behind the screens—until I got hacked. That was one hell of a shove, jolting me from my comfort zone.
Sitting beside me in class is Eric Whitney, heir to another media mogul. My father has been trying to overtake the Whitney’s company for years but has been unsuccessful. I steal a glance at him. With his impeccably styled brown hair and polished appearance, he oozes an old-money vibe. I really don’t want to believe he’s the one who betrayed me, but I can’t ignore the fact that he’s the only one in my vicinity who could have. It wouldn’t be the first time a guy tried to befriend me just to get information. But while I trust Hunter’s motives—keeping us safe and following a code—it’s not the same with Eric.
It could be paranoia or my gut instinct, but after two months of diligently planning, I needed to get closer to him. While we have known each other for years, there was nothing more on my part.
I avoided letting anyone near me. Having a weakness meant the Family could use it against me and take it away. My friends’ torturous initiations only proved that. And I was content, not needing more than my group of friends and my laptop. It has been enough for me. Relationships demand effort, and I wanted to use my time to hone my coding skills.
Hacking Eric’s phone and laptop would be easier, but I don’t want to raise any alarms. If he was the one who did it, he must have safety protocols in place. I refuse to ever be fooled again.
That’s why I take my sweet time when the class ends. Once in a while, Eric asks me if I’d like to go out. My answer has always been, “Maybe another time.”
“This is the first time you’re not rushing out of class,” he says, sounding pleased.
Quiet people are often seen as dense—a fallacy, really, because when everyone talks around you, you can catch what’s important. It’s easier to pick up their reasons and motivations. That’s a skill I perfected.
I shrug, not wanting to make it too easy or make him suspicious.
“It’s just a lot, you know.” While I am not a damsel in distress, I have no problem playing that part, knowing it would give him the occasion to swoop right in like the knight in shining armor he so badly wants to be. He’ll be so screwed if he messes with me.
“Wanna talk about it?”
“I wouldn’t want to . . .” I bite my lip in a faux coy gesture, and his attention shifts there.
“Nonsense, I’ll pick you up at eight.”
“Okay.”
He grins at me, not a flicker of doubt in his mind. I’ve been steadily watering that seed.
He walks away with a pep in his step. Oh, if he’s the one who betrayed me, I am going to ruin his life. He’ll never be able to show his face in public again.
The moment I leave the lecture hall, I see Hunter. Our eyes meet across the main campus. We never walk side-by-side. We exist in this strange alternate place where nothing happens while everything happens.
A girl halts in front of him, flaunting her generous chest and hourglass figure. Is that his type? The thought saddens me—I can’t compare. Not letting that toxic trait control me is hard.
She flicks a strand of her chestnut hair, talking and gesticulating animatedly. I roll my eyes on pure instinct. I should be used to this sight by now. But jealousy—because it can’t be anything else—burns a path over my skin. I can almost feel the blisters forming.
Of course, he smiles at her, letting her continue. He’s the worst.
I am going on a date. That’s all he needs to know. My friends will be surprised, though. We swore never to keep any secrets again—but how do I balance that with the fact that as soon as I tell them about my suspicions, they’re going to be all over Eric?
Walking away, I notice Hunter does the same.
Wasn’t she interesting enough? I type because that’s what we do when we’re not in each other’s faces, antagonizing each other.
Your jealousy is showing. It will be our secret.;) As if his text isn’t bad enough, that winking emoji could single-handedly drive me insane.
That word, though—secret—unbalances me the most. Because yes, it feels like we share a secret of our own, though I don’t know what that is.
I walk inside our college house, searching for a package delivery. I find what I am looking for on the kitchen island. I need it tonight, so I take it to my room.
Kaden is leaning against my desk, features drawn in deep thought. He oozes silent power, and as the next patriarch, I guess that fits. Our relationship has been somewhat strained since I wouldn’t help him find Blake. At that moment, I made a choice, which was not an easy one. But as the future patriarch, my loyalty should have been to him.
He arches a brow. “Anything I should know?”
“I will tell you tomorrow if my suspicions are correct.”
“Your suspicions are correct most of the time,” he states.
He pushes off the desk to leave. My chest constricts. I hate that there’s this distance between us even after months.
“I didn’t do it to hurt you,” I sigh. It’s the first time I have broached the subject.
“No, you simply made your choice, Bailey.”
He truly deserves to be the patriarch, not just because it’s his birthright. He’s smart, a natural strategist, and cares deeply about his people, making him a true leader.
I knew he’d come to the conclusion as well.
“Will you forgive me?” I ask, finally summoning the courage, waiting with bated breath.
“What do you think would have happened if you told me? Hmm?” He doesn’t raise his voice—he doesn’t have to. His presence alone commands attention.
My throat is too clamped up to reply, and he notices.
“I would have gone to see if he was all right, because even though I was angry at Blake, I just needed some time. But neither of you gave me that. I’m expected to function perfectly, every waking moment of my damn life.”
That stung. Inhaling deeply, I let out a shuddering breath. “I’m sorry.”
“Felix is still out there. But he’s not the reason I want us to stop having secrets. He can’t divide us if we’re honest with each other. No secrets. Wasn’t that our credo since childhood?”
“Kaden, you’re the keeper of secrets, only sharing them when you think the time is right,” I say as I go to my desktop and open the package. I need to prepare for tonight. Inside is a new smartphone I will leave on the table to mirror Eric’s. And once that’s done, I’ll move on to his laptop next.
“I’m going on a date with Eric. If he’s working for Felix, I’ll find out.”
“Do you need help?”
“No. I don’t want him to have even a smidgen of suspicion.”
He nods, then leaves, and I upload my copying program onto the phone. Good luck cracking this one.
Since I’ve never been on a date, I knock on each of my friends’ doors and ask them to meet in our shared room––the Lady Boss Lair. When Celine moved into Kaden’s room, we redecorated hers. It has an airy and feminine touch: a plush oval sofa with a round white table in front of it and a large vanity with a mirror rests against the wall, stocked with various beauty products. There’s also a walk-in closet where we keep our evening gowns. It’s comfy and inviting.
Once they join me, I announce, “I’m going on a date.”
Abi squeals, genuinely happy for me. While she’s beautiful on the outside with her long blonde hair and electric blue eyes, her insides are even more beautiful.
“With whom?” Celine asks immediately. She has such a deep sense of protection.
Mia frowns, eyeing me curiously. “When did this happen?”
No more secrets, right?
“It’s not a date, date. I have my suspicions.”
“We’ll be there,” Abi says, switching into caring hen mode.
“It’s Eric, right?” Mia asks, and I blink at her.
“Every time we are at The Cave, he watches you, Bailey. He gives me the creeps.”
A line digs between Celine’s brows. “I don’t like that.”
That’s why I didn’t want to tell them. I knew their reaction would be to worry, and their heads would overflow with threatening scenarios.
“I have this.”
“This shouldn’t be your first date,” Abi says, followed by a deep sigh.
I shrug, not wanting to say that I dislike it as well. It is what it is. I have a family to protect. I don’t have time for a romantic entanglement. Hunter pops up again in my head. I should have my brain examined. Maybe there’s a tumor there.
“You’ll do it regardless, won’t you?” Celine asks in a resigned tone, and I nod.
We are all aware that we have to do things for the well-being of the Family; whether we like them or not is irrelevant.
“What’s the plan?” Abi asks.
I pluck my phone from my jeans and explain what will happen. I need Eric’s fingerprint and face scan. Once I have those, I can deepfake him and infiltrate his devices.
While Abi helps me with the makeup, Mia and Celine help me pick the outfit.
“We want him distracted, so this will do,” Mia says.
The long-sleeved, fitted top shows a bit of cleavage, and the jeans are so tight they feel like a second skin. My hair flows down my back in loose curls. For a moment, I forget who I’m actually going on a date with and imagine Hunter’s reaction.
Focus, damn it.
Blake storms into the room. Surely, Kaden told him, because Mia hadn’t left my side since I asked her to meet me here.
“I’m doing it,” I say, standing my ground, and he clamps his mouth shut, his jaw set in a hard line, showing his disapproval.
He paces around, and Mia goes to him, taking his hand. It’s incredible to see how easily he relaxes. I couldn’t be happier and more relieved these two found each other.
“Well, Silver, are you up for a date?” Blake asks Mia, who shakes her head at him.
“Blake. We can’t raise suspicions,” Celine says, and he cocks his head, seemingly unperturbed by his decision.
“She has this,” Abi says, sending me a proud glance.
“He’ll be here soon,” I remind them.
When they leave, I take in a lungful of air and move toward the window. Even though the days are longer, the sun still sets, swallowing its light and painting the sky in deep oranges and violets.
Knowing my friends, they will be all around the campus diner where I’m meeting Eric. Nothing will happen to me, and that thought eases my mind. Worry is part of our friendship, but I am done being on the defense.
The door bursts open, making me jump when it hits the wall. Hunter stalks inside, radiating a dangerous vibe. He’s like rainy nights and candles flickering—all dark, wrapped in sinful promises.
I ignore him, scrolling through the new phone and rechecking the program. Cutting the distance between us, he cages me between his chest and the wall. Bye, frail attempt at keeping him away.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” His voice, edging on rough, has my thighs clenching on instinct. I’ve never seen him lose it like now.
“Going on a date,” I stammer, my heart racing so fast a bout of dizziness rolls over me.
“On a date.”
“That’s what I said. Are you deaf?”
“Deaf, huh?”
“Hunter, get off of me.”
He lowers his head to my eye level, his breath brushing my lips, making them tingle. His features are pulled so taut his jaw might snap. “Since when have you been interested in someone?”
“It’s a mission.”
“A mission that includes a fucking date.”
Having enough of this back-and-forth that will lead nowhere, I snap. “What’s your problem?”
“My problem is you. Always bloody you.” He says “bloody” when he’s truly mad.
He pushes himself off me, dragging a palm down his face. His chest heaves, and mine does too, mirroring his state. Every muscle in his body ripples with tension, making me want to caress that stiffness away. My spine goes ramrod straight. Why are my thoughts always running in circles? It’s debilitating.
“I know you worry, but it’s going to be all right,” I try to placate him. He needs to leave so I can get a grip on myself.
“You deserve more than this…” His tone is uncharacteristically soft.
Where did that come from?
I blurt out to hide my surprise. “It’s a fake date. It’s not as if I am going to fuck him.”
His hand shoots to my throat and his fingers curl around my nape, not hard enough to cut my air supply but firm enough to keep me in place. A whoosh of air escapes my lips. His presence alone makes me lightheaded—it has nothing to do with the position he’s put me in. When he wrenches his hand away, I can still feel the heat of his palm lingering.
“You would if you were in my place, but rest assured, I won’t let it go that far.”
“I would, huh? You know me so well, Bailey…” he retorts, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
I hug myself, uneasy. “Just stay out of my way.”
Taking my small purse, I head downstairs. My friends are scattered around the living room, looking tight-lipped. I give them a nod of assurance and make my way to the front door.
My phone pings with a notification. Eric is here. As I’m about to close the door behind me, my head whips back of its own accord. Hunter stands at the top of the stairs, arms crossed, his intense gaze making my knees weak.
I stumble out and crash into Eric, who catches me. Everything feels wrong—his heavy cologne, his unwelcome touch, and his overly put together demeanor. I free myself, stepping back.
“Sorry.”
“No problem.” He smiles, gesturing to his shiny dark blue convertible. But my belly knots, rooting me in place.
“Could we walk to the diner?”
“Yeah, sure.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. I am so out of my comfort zone that spiders of anxiety crawl up my skin, making me all jittery.
Silence has always been a steady, comfortable companion, but not with Eric. Even though he behaves impeccably, my gut instinct recoils. I guess I only feel safe surrounded by people I trust. Maybe I am overreacting. The constant threat looming over my head surely has contributed to that. Until I know for sure if he’s the one who hacked me, I should give him the benefit of the doubt.
Pushing through the unease, I say, just to break the awkwardness, “This is my first date.”
“Let’s make it the best one. I started to lose hope you’d ever give me a chance. I really like you.”
“Why?”
A lopsided grin stretches across his face. “Because you’re beautiful and smart…but you were so in your world, I never thought you’d even acknowledge me. I always hoped you’d give me a chance one day.”
Even though he sounds sincere, the glimmer in his eyes unsettles me. There’s nothing more powerful than a woman’s intuition, so staying alert is imperative.
I offer a small nod. This is going too fast for my liking.
When we step inside the diner, I exhale a long puff of air. Seeing other students around instantly puts me at ease. We move to a table in the corner, and a server brings us two menus. I place my phone on the table, and Eric orders for us. It’s presumptuous, but I let it slide, plastering on a fake smile, letting him believe he’s in control. I have a mission I can’t jeopardize.
“So, what’s going on between you and Hunter?”
At the mention of Hunter, my mouth goes dry, but as soon as I take a sip, I sputter on the lime and rum cocktail. It tastes way too sour. This guy knows nothing about me but assumes what I like. He’d never get a second date, and I would give him my opinion if this were a regular date.
“What?”
He purses his lips. “I might have to take him down because he’s in my way.”
My eyes narrow on him. I’d leave a trail of his blood behind before he even approaches Hunter. That sudden protectiveness only adds to my inner turmoil.
“He’s’ always there, watching you,” he says, his fingers tightening around the beer bottle.
“We live together.”
He sighs, taking a long gulp. “You’re always surrounded by your friends.”
“Tell me more about you,” I say, wanting this night to end.
“But we’ve known each other since high school.”
He must have a loose definition of known. Does going to the same high school mean we automatically know each other?
“I started studying IT because of you, even though my parents insisted I focus on media.”
I blink at him, unsure how to react.
“There was just something about you… You motivate me to do better.”
“You don’t know me,” I blurt out.
“Well, that’s why we’re here.” Then, his gaze shifts to something behind me. “Is he going to be a problem?”
My eyes meet Hunter’s across the diner. A storm brews in them, ready to erase anything in its path.