Chapter 22
CASSIDY
I watch Sebastian Lee disappear through the heavy front doors of the club, leaving behind a silence that feels quite different than the turmoil from earlier.
I look down at the business card in my hand, the dark print on crisp white card stock a stark contrast to the murky emotions I’ve been drowning in lately.
I sink back into the chair, the weight of the last thirty minutes pressing into me.
My jaw still tingles where Max’s thumb traced my scar.
I hadn’t had time to process everything that happened before I was met with the unexpected kindness of a stranger.
My heart swells at such a kind gesture. Sebastian didn’t see a victim or a cocktail waitress in a gentleman’s club. He saw someone worth protecting.
It’s honestly a lot to process. The guilt I’ve carried for what my trauma did to Holt, the crushing despair that caused Dad’s heart to fail.
Deep down, I know I’m not responsible for any of it.
I was every bit as much a victim as they were.
But it was a heavy weight to bear all the same.
But my heart feels a little lighter knowing my brother has a friend like this.
A good man who will stand up and do the right thing, even when he has no obligation to.
I push to stand, heading toward my room when Gianni’s door comes into view.
The memory of what occurred there. Not to mention the way Max had looked at Sebastian, not with idle curiosity, but with a raw, territorial scrutiny that nearly vaporized the air between them.
Max thinks he’s so controlled, so detached.
Yet his glare looked suspiciously like jealousy.
But again, this is probably wishful thinking.
Touching my lips, it’s clear the swelling has faded now. The tingling has gone. But the memory has not.
I know it doesn’t make sense to pursue this.
I could lose my job. What’s more, I’m in no place to bring someone into my broken world who isn’t prepared for what they’ll find.
I may be getting stronger each day, but I still have a way to go.
And as much as I enjoy the way Max makes me feel, I refuse to let another man set back my progress.
I take a deep breath, tucking Sebastian’s card into my pocket. I have a choice to make about law enforcement and the dark side of digital investigation that Max represents. Where I’m going with my future.
Sebastian is right. Life is fragile. I know that better than anyone.
I’ve been given a second chance when many victims don’t have that same opportunity.
I’m making the most of it. There are people in my corner who care about me and will support me in where I want to go. For that, I’m incredibly grateful.
Whatever happens at this club, or with that handsome cybersecurity CEO, I know I’m going to be all right.
Max
I’m white-knuckling the steering wheel of my SUV, parked two blocks away in a narrow alley that smells like damp asphalt and urban decay. My laptop is balanced precariously on the center console, the Zoom interface glowing within the dim interior.
“Max? You there? Your video is lagging,” Loretta’s voice crackles through the speakers, snappy and impatient.
She’s sitting in her high-tech hub in D.C.
, probably surrounded by three monitors, a cup of hot coffee, and a fresh tin of cinnamon rolls.
Behind her, the rest of the crew is a blur of commotion.
“I’m here,” I growl, hitting the mute button long enough to swear under my breath as I try to readjust my laptop.
How had I fucked up this day enough to require sitting in my car in some back alley instead of in one of Gianni’s soft leather chairs with a cup of steaming joe and a view of Cassidy in the distance?
“You look like you just went ten rounds with a punching bag. And the bag won,” Loretta gibes, her eyes narrowing as she studies my feed. “I hope it wasn’t with a disgruntled client. Where are you?”
“In the field,” I toss out. “I scheduled this meeting since I’ve been out of the office.
To check in for a status report.” I try to snap into professional mode, hoping Loretta and the crew will focus on whatever is on the agenda and not how terrible I look.
However, I miss most of what they’re saying, as my brain keeps replaying the sight of that man holding Cassidy.
The way her face, which had been flushed as I dragged my tongue along her throat only minutes before, looked so comfortable in his arms.
“Yamila tracked the IP fragments from the phone data you sent over for that health insurance company breach,” Loretta continues, oblivious to my current mental breakdown.
“It’s a ghost network, Max. Whoever is on the other end of this attack isn’t simply a smart person asking the right questions. They’re a professional outfit,” Yamila interjects.
A smart person.
The phrase hits me like a physical blow. Cassidy is smart. She’s probably smart enough to realize I’m committing fraud every time I log into my server to review those phone records. Once the excitement over putting her training to use wears off, what if she decides to turn me in?
“Max!” I jump in my seat, my laptop tumbling to the floorboard as Loretta’s voice snaps me back.
“Are you even listening? We found a link to the email list on their server. Someone is planting data. We need you to sweep the office again. Are you even there? What am I looking at?” Scooping it off of the floor, her irritated face comes back into view.
My jaw aches from how hard I’m clenching it. “I just did a sweep,” I bark, lying through my teeth. I’ve let too many things fall through the cracks lately. At this rate, my company will go belly up before I have a chance to get charged with anything.
Truth of the matter is, I did a sweep all right. I swept Cassidy onto a desk and nearly threw my entire career into the trash for a taste of her. I’ve been so focused on my own private endeavors, and wanting to be near her, I’ve left my office to flounder on its own.
“Could you do it again, please? Or would you like Yamila to take this one over completely?” Loretta asks. She tilts her head as if attempting to examine me through the screen. “You’re not yourself lately. You sure you’re okay?”
I stare at the laptop, at the faces of my team. I need to redirect my focus back to where it belongs. Regain my control. Stop the high-def replay of a kiss I was never supposed to have.
“I’ll handle it.” I reach back to rub the tense muscles in my neck, wishing I were anywhere but here.
Trapped in this chaos I’ve created. “Sorry, guys. I think I’ve been running on fumes for too long.
I’ll do another sweep once I get home, then make it an early evening and see you bright and early in the morning. ”
“That’s a good idea, boss. We’ll tackle this tomorrow. Get some rest.”
Rest. Yeah, right. My mind is an EF5 tornado.
Usually when I’m spinning out of control like this, I call Annalise at The Rox to see if anyone is available for the night.
Yet even though I know nothing can ever happen with Cassidy, there isn’t an ounce of me that would be able to get it up with another woman. I’m certain of it.
So a heavy workout in my gym, followed by a hot shower, and a glass of scotch is on the agenda. Before I set the timer on my watch and give in to satisfying my addiction. Hopefully, this time I can limit it to a few hours on the dark web hunting for clues as to what happened.
Where did you go, Isla?