Page 56 of Claimed By the Boss

It’s wrong. I know that. But this whole situation is wrong. Damien’s job is dangerous and could put me in harm’s way. And I don’t just have my own safety to worry about anymore. I have to safeguard my child’s future.

By Friday, the software is finished. I run the last round of internal diagnostics and encrypt the final build. Then I close the lid of my laptop, sit back in my chair, and press a hand to my abdomen. I refuse to feel guilty about what I’ve done. Damien kept something major from me. I’ve just leveled the playing field.

When I walk into Damien’s office, he’s standing by the windows, looking out over the city like it belongs to him. Hell, maybe it does. I have no way of truly understanding the world he occupies.

“The program is ready,” I say.

He turns to face me, eyes scanning my expression in a way that makes me queasy.

“That was faster than I expected,” he says with a smile. “Good work, Lyra.”

“If you’d like, I can test it for you. I’m pretty sure it’s perfect, but I haven’t seen it in action. Testing it will help me work out any bugs.”

His eyes flicker briefly with something I can’t place, then he stiffens.

“That’s okay, I’ll take it from here.”

I realize, of course, that he doesn’t want me to test it because he doesn’t want me to know what it’s really for. He trusts me to build the thing, but he doesn’t trust me with the truth about who he is and what he does.

“I’ll install it directly. I’ll let you know if we run into any bugs.”

My heart tightens, but I keep my face blank. I expected as much, but part of me hoped he would be forthcoming. I wanted him to be honest.

“Okay,” I say, handing him the flash drive. “Let me know how it goes.”

I walk out without another word.

Back at my desk, I log in to the secure server I’ve created. I name it something innocuous,project_archive_temp1, and wait.

Whatever Damien is up to, I’m going to get to the bottom of it.

18

DAMIEN

Iwait until the office clears out and the building settles into quiet before I plug in the drive Lyra gave me. Her code is a damn masterpiece, not that I expected any less. My fingers move across the keys, layering my encryption to pair her system with ours. It doesn’t take long. Within minutes, it’s live.

The signal stabilizes, and within the hour we capture the first clear audio. One of Rurik’s men speaks in Russian, low and fast, passing instructions about a weapons shipment headed for Newark. A woman asks whether Rurik will be present. The first man hesitates, then confirms a meeting two weeks from now at a warehouse just outside Atlantic City. The meet will be run by a small crew at an unmarked location.

“Got you,” I mutter under my breath, marking the coordinates on our internal map.

Alek walks in a few minutes later, eyes scanning the feed. He lets out a low whistle when he hears how clean the audio is.

“Lyra’s code did this?”

I nod, grinning, pride sharp in my chest. “It’s better than I could have hoped for.”

“Damn, there’s no background static or interference at all,” he says, impressed. “Shit, I can even hear the guy light his cigarette.”

“And you doubted me.” I laugh.

“I never doubted you.” He shrugs. “I did worry maybe you were thinking with your dick, but you’ve clearly proven me wrong.”

“I simply judged Lyra’s abilities correctly.”

Alek gives a tight nod and disappears again, already drafting the preliminary strike report.

I stay behind, listening to the feed loop again. I know where Rurik will be in two weeks, but until then, I have a window. Seven days, at least. And that gives me an idea.