Chapter 32 #2
Callie said, “I’m in total agreement. However, I think it’s prudent if we share what we have.
That means we need to send you what we have, which, I hate to admit, isn’t much.
It’ll be everything on Ragnarok and all that debacle.
In order to do that, I’m going to create an encrypted server where we can share things.
I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner, but this will actually help us.
Eden can send over everything she has, and we’ll be able to help.
Besides, there might be a kernel of info in our intel somewhere that could be just what we need. ”
“That would be nice.” The water shut off overhead. “I’m going to keep the phone on. Send me a text when you get the server set up and you’re sure it can’t be hacked.”
Callie made an annoyed sound. “Anything can be hacked. This will be difficult to find, though, and even harder to get in. Plus, I’ll set up firewalls to alert me if someone tries to gain access without permission.
Just like I have on everything here. That way, I can destroy everything in the servers and drives to wipe it clean before anyone can find anything. ”
“And before you freak out—” Wyatt began.
Callie quickly interjected, “Like he did.”
“—she’s made backups of everything we have.”
“Three backups,” Callie amended. “One for each brother.”
Maks nodded, always impressed by Callie. “Sounds good. Thank you.”
“Stay safe.”
“You, too.” Maks then disconnected the call.
He was making the coffee when Eden came down the stairs in fresh clothes and wet hair.
She raised her brows when she noticed the cell phone on the counter. “Everything okay?”
“Wyatt and Callie had been calling. I forgot about getting in touch with them as we’ve been working. I called them back.”
“They’re not infected with this virus, are they?”
“Thankfully, no. They’re also being very safe.”
Eden got out the loaf of bread and took out two slices for the toaster. “You’re worried about them.”
It wasn’t a question. “I am. They’re also worried about us. Wyatt even offered to find some way to come and get us.”
“You sound surprised,” she stated while returning the bread to the pantry.
“It would be suicide for them to try something like that.”
She propped a hand on the counter and shot him a flat look. “Would you do it for them?”
“If I was able, yes.”
“So why is it any different if someone does it for you?”
Maks parted his lips to answer, but he realized there wasn’t anything he could say.
Eden rolled her eyes as she laughed. “That’s what I thought. They consider you a friend, maybe even family, which means they want to help you. You risked your life for them.”
“Maybe,” he replied with a shrug.
“Which means, you did. And you didn’t think twice about it, did you?”
He held her hazel eyes and shook his head.
“Exactly. Maks, you’re an amazing guy with some truly special—and a little terrifying—skills. You’re going to help others, and sometimes, others are going to help you.”
He reached out and pulled her against him. “You mean, like you?”
“Me?” she asked, surprised filling her face. “What do you mean?”
“You’ve helped me.”
Eden snorted as she slid her arms around his neck. “Now you’re just teasing.”
“I’m not. You’ve brought calm into my life. An ease I had forgotten.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I’m not sure that’s a good thing in your line of work.”
“Trust me, it’s not dulling anything. Holding you at night, it’s let me be…me.”
“Really?” she asked with a bright smile. “I’m doing that?”
She was doing that and so very much more. “Oh, yes.”
Eden rose up on her toes as she leaned her head toward his. “I do like this side of you. Did I ever tell you that flattery will get you everywhere?”
“You haven’t, but it’s good to know.”
He couldn’t stop smiling. Even when they shared a kiss, he couldn’t believe that they had found something wonderful amid such a dark time. It didn’t seem possible, and yet it was. His heart was nearly bursting with emotion.
Maks pulled back. “There’s a couple of things I need to tell you.”
“Okay,” she said with half-closed eyes. “But only if you give me another kiss when you’re finished.”
He chuckled. “Callie is setting up an encrypted server to upload all of their data. She’s going to share the location with us so we can put everything we have in there, as well. That’s in case something happens to us. They’ll be able to get the information.”
“Sounds like a good idea. What do you think?”
“I trust Callie, if that’s what you’re asking. She knows what she’s doing, and I’m confident that it’ll be a good place to store everything.”
Eden nodded solemnly. “In case we both get sick or are killed by the Saints.”
“There’s that as well, yes. Callie also said they’d help you with whatever you need. She’s eager to meet you.”
“I can’t wait to meet her, as well. All of them, actually. It’ll be nice to put faces with names.”
Maks noticed that they were both talking as if the virus or the Saints weren’t going to impede them. Perhaps it was a good way to look at things. Especially now.
The toast popped up, breaking their gaze. Eden grabbed her breakfast as he took down two mugs and poured their coffee. They said nothing as they climbed the stairs and started their work for the day.
It wasn’t until a few hours later that Eden sat back and blew out a breath. “That’s it.”
Maks stilled as he swiveled his head to her. “What’s it?”
“That was the last page in the last file of the second drive. We’ve looked through it all. I’ve done initial research on all of it. Now is when I need to go through and give greater attention to anything that I flagged before.”
He couldn’t believe they had finally reached the end. At that moment, the cell phone dinged with a text. He recognized Callie’s number and looked at the message. It was a link to what he assumed was the server she’d set up. Before he could call to see if it was from her, the phone rang.
“It’s from me,” Callie said when he answered. “I knew you’d be wary. Wanted you to know that I sent it, and it’s all fine.”
Maks chuckled. “Thanks. We’ll start getting everything sent over shortly.”
He disconnected the line and gave the phone to Eden so she could see the link. In short order, she began sending the files from the drives to the encrypted server. Meanwhile, he looked around the room at the papers scattered everywhere.
“Where is that paper on…?” Eden trailed off.
He would help her if he knew what she was looking for, but he’d learned quickly that it was easier to let her do her own thing. Curious, he watched as she tiptoed in the spaces between the papers, bent to shuffle some around, moved to another spot, picked up two papers, then returned to the bed.
She was in her own world as she jotted something down on the computer then turned to the side where some paper and pen sat. She wrote something there, as well. Then she handed him what she’d picked up from the floor and pointed to the left side of the wall.
“Can you hang that between the fourth and fifth papers?” she asked.
Maks did as she asked. When he turned back, she had another page. And another. Then another.