Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
MARCO
“ S omeone has definitely accessed our accounts. I’m looking for the breach and trying to close it. If it’s Audry’s virus, it’s really flown under the radar. I thought I had unbreachable firewalls. My bad, there’s no such thing.” George babbled.
I stood over him, arms crossed, pondering my feelings. At the lack of surprise that she’d done this. Of course she had. I knew she was a thief when I brought her home. There was really nobody to blame but myself.
The blood thrummed in my veins, and I knew in my soul that if I had to go to the ends of the earth, I’d find her again. I felt like a predator, sniffing the air, preparing to run its prey down. Everything was sharper – my vision, my thoughts, my reaction times. I was ready to go, just waiting on a direction.
“Follow the money and you’ll find her.” I said to George. I could see his fingers trembling. He was probably waiting for me to come down hard on him. But all he’d done was what he was told. Of course, I’d have to talk with him – calmly – about his security protocols and closing the barn door when the horse had already escaped, but other than that, I did not intend to mete out a punishment. Ruling by fear was great for some, I guess; I preferred to cultivate loyalty. “Go slow and be thorough.”
He looked up and nodded, determination in his eyes. “Yes, boss.”
I nodded once, firmly, and then turned and left. George would get it done. I had faith in him and his abilities. Also, his sense of self-preservation. One failure might be a mistake, but two was a bad decision and I couldn’t afford those.
I walked towards my office and stood staring out of the window. Shit was about to hit the fan so I couldn’t understand why I felt so alive. The thought of having to run Audry to the ground should have filled me with rage and bitterness. Instead, I’d never felt so alive. This was the most exciting my life had been in years.
Audry had me on my toes and she could keep me there easily. I hated to admit it, but she was exactly what I needed to wake me up from the fugue I’d been living in. I felt as if life had restarted the day she stole from me and now, it was all systems go.
I suddenly felt as if everything I ever wanted to achieve, was within my grasp, as long as I got her back. There was a knock at the door and I turned towards it. “Come in.” I said.
Valerio came in, caution in his eyes. “Hey.”
I nodded at him. “Hey. What’s up?”
“We managed to identify how she scrambled the security cameras. It was done remotely from a site about six miles from here. We’re running down an address.”
“Good.”
Valerio hesitated, giving me a look.
“What?” I asked.
“How are you doing with all of this?”
I quirked an eyebrow. “All of what?”
He took a breath, flicking his eyes away and then looking back at me. “With this betrayal. I know the two of you got close.”
I snorted derisively, shaking my head and turning back towards the window. “What? You asking if she broke my heart?”
“Did she?”
I opened my mouth to retort and then closed it again, really thinking about it. Then I shook my head. “You know the story of the traveler and the snake, right?”
“The one where the traveler came across the injured snake, brought it home, nursed it back to health and the snake bit him?”
“That’s the one. I knew she was a snake when I brought her home.”
“So, you’re saying you had it coming because she was a con artist?”
“I’m saying we walked her right up to our systems and logged her in. So we can’t be surprised at what she did.”
“That doesn’t mean she can’t break your heart.” Valerio said softly.
“No. It doesn’t mean that. But… this isn’t the end of us. I won’t let it be.”
“She’s not Amy, you know?”
“I know. She’s a whole different ball game.” I turned to look at him, “I see who she is.”
Valerio nodded. “I see it too. I think she’s perfect for you.”
I snorted in surprise. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. You’ve been… different… since she came. You stand straighter, your eyes are brighter… she’s good for you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh lord. Stop. You’re embarrassing yourself.”
He grinned. “I notice you haven’t disagreed.”
“Will you just shut up and get me that address?”
He saluted impishly. “Yes, boss.”