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“Grayson, surely?”
I shook my head. “No, definitely not.”
“Huh? Why not?”
“Because he’ll whisk me off in his jet to a private island, quicker than Patti can lick her whiskers.”
Scarlet let out a laugh. “Oh.”
“Exactly.”
“Who, then?”
I chewed on my lip, trying to think of someone who could help me without causing a scene. “I don’t know. Maybe I could call the police?”
Scarlett shook her head. “No, that’s not a good idea. They won’t take you seriously. They’ll just tell you to block the number and move on.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.”
Jesus, the way my heart thumped when my phone pinged again.
Hacker:What do you know?
Me:That you’re really, really smart. I think, like…maybe an actual genius?
“At least that’s not a lie. There’s no way he could evade authorities for as long as he has if he was a dumbass.”
“Very true.”
Hacker:You’re right. I am. Now it’s late. Get some sleep. We’ll talk soon.
Me:Okay. Can’t wait.
“Blech.”
“Good work. Now go get ready for bed, grab Patti’s stuff and come back here. You’re sleeping in the spare room tonight.”
Okay, I could have cried at that. “Thank you.”
CHAPTER 41
Stefania
Christ, I was such a wreck. Two days since the Hacker had first texted me and I’d pretty much moved in with Scarlett. Even now, while she was at work, I couldn’t stand being at my place. Thank fuck she didn’t mind me hanging out at hers. She’d even given me a key, bless her. I glanced at the clock. Four thirty. I could think about getting dinner ready as a way of saying thank you.
It was a good plan, but I stayed put on the couch. Holding the burner phone Grayson had given me. Staring at it like a total weirdo. Using every ounce of my willpower to not press the call button. It was for emergency use only.
My phone pinged, making me jump almost out of my skin in the soft quiet of Scarlett’s apartment. Dammit, why was my first impulse to think it would be Grayson texting me? Like he’d somehow sensed me yearning for him and was reaching out.
Oh. Fuck. Unknown number. Which meant only one thing.
Hacker:Stef. How is your day going?
One deep breath. Then another. My hands were shaking as I typed out the reply.
Me:It’s going well. How about you?
Hacker:I’m having a really nice time.