Chapter 32
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
MONTREAL
After an unexpected delay in Miami, by the time Wyatt and Natasha had arrived at the hotel in Canada, it was eleven at night. The competition was still going—no rest for the hackers if they wanted to place in the top three.
Wyatt set down their luggage, pulled out his phone, and opened Twitter. He’d had to create an account so he could keep up-to-date with the competition, but even more so to keep up with Gwen.
He’d gone with @JohnDoe2021. Somehow, he already had three followers, all who had XXX in their names.
He flicked the screen of his mobile. “Gwen was just tagged in the last announcement. She’s in second. Neck and neck with Jasper.”
“Impressive.” Natasha stood off to his left and stole a peek at the screen.
“Twitter,” he grumbled. “I swear being on here can take you to a dark place. Feels about the same as going through terrorist cell phones.”
“So, why are you still on there?”
He side-eyed her. “I guess it’s less scary than going on Gwen’s Instagram account.” The thought made him immediately tense. “All those guys making comments about her looks on her photos. It makes me a bit—”
“Ragey?” Her lips trembled as if fighting a smile.
“Yeah, a bit.”
“Did you take the time to read her responses? Because I did. And if anything, you should feel better about how she handled herself. She put all those assholes in their place.”
“Really?” A sense of pride sent a thrill up his spine.
“Really.” She reached for his mobile and tossed it onto the bed, then looped her arms around his neck. “From what I can see, you have a hell of a daughter. Looks like she takes after you. Blood can be strong.”
Twenty-plus years.
Would she even want him in her life?
“Whatever you’re feeling right now, I assure you it’s normal.”
He brought a fist beneath her chin. “Gwen doesn’t need the bounty or a job from Felix. Her mum has plenty of money. Why is she doing this?” It’d been a question in his mind since he’d learned she was in the competition, but he hadn’t verbalized his concerns.
“Well, since it appears she’s very much like you, I’m guessing she wanted to pave her own path. Not be tied to money she didn’t earn. Or live the life of a debutant.” She brought one palm to his cheek, and he turned his mouth so his lips brushed the inside of her hand.
While he and Natasha were en route to the hotel, Harper had texted that she had news. But he’d much rather ignore responsibility and make use of the condoms they had left over.
Spend hours kissing every inch of her. Learning every freckle. Every sensitive spot. To bask in the warmth of that sun he’d never realized he needed until he met a woman whose light was so bright it was impossible not to see it, to crave it.
But The Knight was still out there playing his sick game. More people could die.
And one of them could end up being Gwen.
“We should probably head up.” He begrudgingly stepped out of Natasha’s reach and texted Harper they were on their way.
“Are you as nervous to hear what they found out as I am?” she asked once they were in the lift.
“I just want this over with.” He faced her, catching his eyes in the reflection of the mirrored wall behind where Natasha stood. “I want a chance to get to know you.” And Gwen.
“You don’t know me yet?” Humor touched her tone. “You spent half the flight asking me questions. I think you know me better than anyone now.”
“And I want to know all the things you refused to talk about on a plane full of people.”
“Oh?” She arched a brow as the doors dinged and parted.
He stepped closer to her. “You can’t cram thirty-five years of your life into six hours, and I’m greedy. I want to know everything. All there is to know about this rambly,” he said while brushing her long hair to her back, “and awkward but badass woman.”
“You might regret that,” she teased, her eyes shining as she smiled.
“My only regret is not getting to know you sooner.” And it took him a psychotic hacker and discovering he had a daughter to realize that.