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Goddammit. I’m tempted to defy him, but that darkglint in his gaze makes me pause. He’ll have the previous owners of Altitude Tech killed if I go against him. It’s what he does. Snuffs out those who piss him off, abuses those he can use. Dad has me by the balls on this, and while I know funding NYC Teen Techies is a good cause, I crush any desire to do good.
“Fine,” I tell him as the driver pulls up to the curb. “Leave them to the lawyers, and I’ll vote it down.”
“Good.” He gets out first, and I slide across the bench seat, only to be met with a door slamming in my face.
“Jesus,” Blake mutters.
I glance at him. “Come to me if you ever need anything,” I tell him quickly, hoping he’ll take me up on the advice, then climb out and follow my asshole of a father into Rex Technologies.
I can’t wait to destroy this place.
twenty-six
CASSIA
Kyle, Mace’s wonderful personal assistant, kindly let me into his office while he was busy with a board meeting. When I received the burrito and coffee this morning, an idea formed. Married people have lunch all the time. It would be normal, even expected, for me to make an appearance at Rex Technologies.
I’ve been staying away from the Flatiron district on purpose, but today, that changes. The Rex Technologies building is one of the tallest in the district, and the business occupies four floors, with the executive levels on the top floor. I gaze out of the massive windows and down...way down, swallowing a flutter of nerves. Though heights don’t normally scare me, I think most New Yorkers have an ingrained fear nowadays.
Turning away from the million-dollar view, I take a seat at Mace’s desk. The computer is sleeping and jolts to life when I jiggle the mouse. My attention zooms to the privacy curtains, verifying that they’re pulled down and keeping nosy worker bees from peeking inside Mace’s office whenthey walk by. Leg bouncing, I key in the password Mace has used on his Rex Technologies apps. While I haven’t uncovered any incriminating texts, I’ve gathered some useful information—passwords, usernames, bank accounts, investment accounts. Access to his schedule.
The board meeting was slotted for four hours, even though there’s one hour left, my eyes flick to the door anyway, worried he’ll burst in and yellgotcha.My stomach churns. I’m used to hacking from a safe distance. This is a new venture, and I can say conclusively my anxiety is not a fan.
Breathe, Cassia, breathe.
Inhaling, I disable the antivirus systems and then navigate to the command window, fingers flying over the keyboard. My eyes jump to the door as the computer initiates the install of the program I created to mimic a basic Rex Tech program. Something every employee would have installed but that Mace would never use as an executive. The malicious software downloads from the remote server I created with a refurbished system. I don’t know how long my Trojan horse will last in his system, but hopefully long enough to gather solid evidence.
I adjust the antivirus settings to allow the software to exist without alerting Mace to the potentially dangerous program, and lock the computer. I log back in and double check everything just in case, then leave the computer behind, heading to the small table in his office and ordering lunch. There are a few texts from Mace’s phone.
MALIK
What the fuck was that?
Consider my shares sold. Fuck you and your father.
The message from Crue is a link to a video of a woman singing. She feels vaguely familiar, but I can’t place her.There are a few from some guys who are sucking up to him, and one from an automated system that reports on his dad’s whereabouts. That’s...weird but also not surprising. Mace likes to stalk me. Keeping tabs on his dad isn’t far off from that.
Much to my relief, Mace hasn’t received any messages from other women. This isn’t a traditional marriage, but I think I would be pissed. I’m his wife. It’s nice to know he’s respecting the vow of monogamy.
My excuse for coming over arrives right before Mace does. I slide my phone into my purse and thank Kyle for bringing it in. A heady rush of cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves tickles my nose as he sets down the takeout bags.
“He should be in shortly. The board meeting just finished.”
“I’m happy to wait,” I say with a smile that I hope screamsI’m head over heels for my husband.
Kyle nods and leaves me to it. Placing the food out on the table, I go over what I’m going to say. I’ve never been to Rex Technologies before. I haven’t invited Mace to share lunch since our little arrangement. Will he think it’s suspicious? A flutter of nerves erupts in my chest. My attention strays to the computer for a millisecond. It’s fine. I locked it. I tested the Trojan on my own system. Even if he finds it, there are plenty of people who would want to plant a virus on systems at Rex Technologies. I have nothing to worry about.
There’s something to be said for primal bonds. Ever since we hooked up, my body is keenly attuned to the brush of Mace’s gaze, and it touches upon my shoulders as I set down the garlic naan. Taking a breath, I slowly turn. I brace myself for meeting him face-to-face after laying thegroundwork to betray him. Guilt slams into me with the same weight of his attention.
I’m such a hypocrite. I hate lies, and here I am, ready to lie with the best of them.Rose deserves more than prison, though.
He’s standing in the doorway, fingers gripping the door handle, breath held tightly in his chest. Does he already know what I’ve done? There’s a storm in his dark eyes. Every carefully laid plan evaporates at the sight of him. His heather blue suit is sculpted to his muscular form, showcasing strong thighs, a solid torso and cut arms. Mace’s tan shoes perfectly match his outfit. The man knows how to dress himself, I’ll give him that. The stubble along his jawline is surprisingly unkempt, but I kind of like it. I especially love the way it scraps along my thighs.
Clearing his throat, he shuts the door and shoves his hands into his pockets, eyeing the containers of food. His jaw clenches. “I didn’t expect you.”
Okay, yeah. He’s pissed.
My pulse races. “I brought lunch since you sent me breakfast. I can leave, though.” Whirling around, I grab a bag and place the first container inside of it, trying to calm my pounding heart. He won’t do anything to me here, right? There are too many witnesses. I can escape and go to Rose’s.