Chapter 20 #2
Ava crossed as her friend rose to give her a hug. “It seems to be a standard part of life for us at the moment. Thank you so much for coming. All of you.”
“Of course,” Julia said. “I hadn’t realized things were so serious.”
“Apparently, they are,” Ava answered. “Can I get anyone anything?”
“No, we’re fine,” Julia assured her.
Alex continued to clack on his keyboard. “Orange soda, babe.”
“Excuse me for a second.” Ava scooped up the dog who pawed at her and kissed his head as she disappeared into the kitchen for two orange sodas and the tub of cheese balls.
“Mmm,” Alex said as she set them down next to him, handing him the soda. “Thanks.”
“So, has Alex filled you in on the details?”
“Somewhat,” Grant answered. “Although…I have to admit, this isn’t what I thought we were walking into. You two seem to be veritable spies.”
The shrill ring of Ava’s phone cut off any further conversation. She tugged it from her pocket and rolled her eyes as she swiped to accept the call. “I’m so sorry, just a second.”
Ava pressed the phone to her ear. “I got your files, don’t worry.”
“I am worried, Ava. There was a report of a data breach. You didn’t cover your tracks very well.”
Ava pressed her lips together, arching an eyebrow. “I covered them just fine. This won’t lead back to me. Next time, try giving me the right information so I don’t have to grab every single file on the server and trigger an alarm.”
“I certainly hope Alex won’t be making another ridiculous attempt to load a tracker onto this drive.”
“He wouldn’t dream of it,” Ava answered. “Where do you want me to drop it?”
“Our special place. Three, tomorrow afternoon. Don’t be late.” The line clicked, and Ava pulled the phone away from her ear, rolling her eyes “Idiot.”
“So, was that the bird or whatever?” Sierra asked.
“Raven,” Ava said with a nod. “Demanding the files by three tomorrow in our ‘special place.’”
Julia wrinkled her nose at the detail. “Special place? That sounds…odd.”
“Raven has a thing for Ava,” Alex answered as he tugged the USB from his laptop and handed it back to Ava. “I copied them all.”
Kyle screwed up his face. “What? The weird, mysterious ally has a thing for you.”
“He leaves her roses when she drops off the information he wants.”
“Anyway,” Ava said with a shake of her head, “we really need an in with the Bancrofts that I’m hoping you can provide.”
“Of course,” Grant said with a shrug, “although, I can’t understand what Theo Bancroft would gain from any of this.”
“Power can be an enticing drug, G-man,” Alex answered.
“We have no idea what The Board is up to, but if we can figure that out by getting closer to Theo, all the better. Something nefarious is afoot, and I’d really love to know what they’re doing with all those millions they skimmed from StoneCorp. ”
“Well, it sounds like we have some interesting work ahead of us,” Julia said. “I hope we can help. After everything you’ve done for us, it would be nice to return the favor.”
“Oh, I think you’ll be repaying that favor a few times over with what’s been going on here,” Ava answered when a knock sounded on the door.
She shared a glance with Alex before she rose.
“Oh, that’s probably our luggage arriving,” Julia said, standing alongside Ava to accompany her to the door.
With Julia in tow, Ava headed for the foyer, pulling the door open. Her lips parted and her shoulders slumped as she identified the figure in the door.
“Hey, babe,” Chris said with a smarmy smile. “I’m back.”
Ava sighed and crossed her arms. “How many times do I need to throw you out, Chris?”
“You don’t need to throw me out at all. I’m here to give you that one last chance I promised.”
“Ah, Ava, is everything okay?” Julia asked as she flicked her gaze between the two of them.
Ava squared her shoulders as Chris stood smirking at the doorway. “No, everything is not okay. Chris can’t take no for an answer.”
“Is there a problem here?” Kyle asked, crossing to them and pushing between Ava and Chris.
“Yeah, Ava’s being an idiot again,” Chris said with a nod. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your new friends, Ava? Although, honestly, folks, I’d watch my back with Ava. She’ll sell you out faster than you can say the words.”
“If that’s true, why are you so desperate to get me back then? Just leave Chris, it’s not happening.”
“I don’t like to lose, Ava. And I’m not going to.”
“I’m pretty sure the lady has asked you leave,” Kyle said, holding a hand up.
“Oh, look at you. Are you the latest new plaything for Ava? You’re picking ‘em younger these days, huh?”
Ava heaved a sigh as she shook her head at Chris.
“Here’s a hint, kid, unless you’ve got Alex Stone money, you probably don’t stand a chance.”
“Get out,” Ava shouted.
Kyle shifted to block the door. “Now, that’s the second time she’s asked, so I would suggest you go.”
“It is amazing to me how many people will go to the mat for you, Ava. Really it is. Let’s see how much they’re willing to take, though. Buckle up, it’s going to get bumpy.”
“That’s it,” Kyle said with a shake of his head.
He cocked his fist and landed a blow against Chris’s jaw, sending him stumbling back a few steps as he rubbed at his face.
Ava’s jaw flew open at the sudden, bold action.
“You little jerk.” Chris barreled toward Kyle and slammed into him. They both rolled across the foyer floor in a tangle of limbs as Sierra entered, stopping short of running into them.
Her jaw dropped open, and she called over her shoulder, “Daddy, Kyle’s fighting with someone again.”
“Tattletale,” Kyle complained as he and Chris climbed to their feet.
“What is going on here?” Grant asked as he appeared at the door along with Alex.
“This person is bothering Ava,” Kyle reported. “I’m trying to be a gentleman and protect her.”
“Thanks, kid, but I can protect myself,” Ava answered as she deftly dropped Chris to the floor by sweeping his legs out from under him.
She pinned his arm behind his back until he groaned, squeezing his eyes as pain shot through him.
“Now, this is the third time I’m going to tell you not to come back here. Leave me alone, Chris.”
She let go of him, and he scrambled to his feet. “You’re going to regret this, Ava.”
Ava shook her head as Chris adjusted his collar and headed out the door. She slammed it shut behind him, scanning the sea of faces in her foyer. With a weary smile plastered on her features, she said, “Welcome to the Hamptons.”