Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
MARCO
W e had set up a war room in the conference room where we held strategy meetings to try and mitigate as much damage as possible. But considering the scope of the hack, we knew it was a matter of time before we received word of other breaches from the rest of the council.
“What’s our strategy with that?” Valerio asked. “If they knew we were the source of the hack, all our lives would be forfeit.”
I looked at George. “Is there any way to trace this back to our systems?”
He shook his head slowly. “Not really. We only know what to look for because I was there when Audry did this to the Triad. Otherwise, it’s not really detectable, let alone traceable.”
“So, you’re saying they won’t know they’ve been hacked?”
“Oh no, they will. But tracing it to us? I’m not saying it’s impossible, but their hackers would have to be really good. You know most of those guys can barely work a computer.” George’s lips twisted contemptuously, and I almost laughed. I’d heard from him enough times how much the council needed to get with the times, or they’d be left behind. I guess in this instance, it was a good thing – and a bad one – that they didn’t listen.
Just then, my phone rang. I dug it out of my pocket and stared at the number.
“Who is it?” Valerio asked.
“It’s Nicolò.”
“Fuck.” Valerio wheeled away, walking to the other side of the room as if to get away from my phone.
“Yeah.” I said quietly before accepting the call. “Hello?”
“We have a problem, Marco.”
I held my breath. “What’s the problem?”
“Someone is stealing from us. There’s been some interference with the accounts. Money’s been siphoned. I’m calling an urgent meeting.”
“Uh, shit. Where?”
“Coordinates will be sent. Leave all your devices behind.”
“Yes sir.” I hung up and turned to Valerio, my brow furrowed. “She’s stealing all our money. Siphoning it off.”
“Shit.” He ran a hand through his hair, looking stressed. “George, can you stop the leak?”
“I’d have to find it first and I suspect there’s more than one. Also like the address, it’s not likely to be stationery.”
I was shaking my head, half annoyed, half impressed. “She is good.”
“Yeah. Unfortunately.” George said from where he was bent over the laptop.
My phone beeped and I opened it to see coordinates. “I have to go for this meeting. Valerio, gather what reports you have and let’s go. We are going to have to be very careful.”
“What about her?” Valerio asked. I did not have to clarify who he was talking about.
“We track her down by any means necessary. Make sure she can’t leave this town without being clocked. Bring everyone in. From today until she’s found, we have one agenda. Find Audry Martin.” I clenched my jaw, the determination I was feeling a goad, spurring me on to achieve my goal by any means necessary.
“What will you do with her once you find her?”
I gave him a cold smile. “Guess.”
Valerio shivered, shaking his head. “Don’t let your feelings get in the way, Marco. Punishing her is a given but then… we could use someone like her. The whole organization could.”
I gave him an incredulous look. “You want us to employ her?”
He just gave me a look. “I think you have various options you could use to entice her to our side, don’t you think?”
I looked away, feeling angry. “You pimping me out, bro?” I gritted out.
“Oh, c’mon Marco. Don’t act like you don’t like her.” He said impatiently, though he kept his voice low so that no one else could hear.
“This isn’t high school, Val.”
“Nobody’s saying it is, man. But you are allowed to feel something for someone and pursue it.”
I whirled on him, glaring. “She stole from us.”
“Yeah, she did.” He half-grinned, “But you have to admire her cojones.”
I narrowed my eyes at my brother. “If the council finds out we let this happen, we are royally fucked and here you are spinning fairy tales?”
He laughed. “Fairy tales are how we get out of this bind. And I’m not just weaving castles in the air. I saw the way she looked at you. She wanted you as much as you wanted her.”
“Oh god,” I rolled my eyes, but my heart began to thud dully in my chest as though hoping it was true.
“C’mon man.” Valerio said softly, “Admit it. You want her.”
I sighed. “Let’s get back to work. Let’s find her first before you start planning the wedding.” I turned away, going to sit in front of my laptop and peering closely at it to show that the topic was closed.
I couldn’t stop thinking about what my brother had said though. I put the coordinates sent into my laptop and got a location. Getting to my feet, I nodded to Valerio. “Time to go.” I said. I grabbed my jacket and my gun, and we headed out.