Page 52 of Hacking His Code

I push all thoughts of Ernestine from my mind and force myself to look at the racks of clothing with Neon.

Everything she pulls out is just too much. The last thing I want to do is draw attention to myself, and the outfits she picks all have either extreme glitter or a color palette as blinding as the sun.

I’m pretty sure I shouldn’t wear a gown, but I don’t want to look too casual either. I’m half-tempted to send a text to Hunter, but I don’t want to bother him with trivial things such as wardrobe choices when he’s probably out making big company decisions.

Or fucking some high-classy woman.

Ouch!I wince at the thought of Hunter wooing some proper lady, which is silly because in no universe would I ever stand a chance with a man like him. Someone so handsome that he could turn the heads of an entire room and with enough money to buy a small island to boot. Or…several small islands. Perhaps a large island. Who the fuck knows?

I grab a strapless dress from the rack, examining it closely. It’s mauve, which works great with my hair, and I like how it’s smocked at the waist.

“This is what I’m wearing.”

Neon frown. “It’s—”

“I don’t care that it’s Hunter that pays you. This is what I’m wearing.”

“Fine. Let’s get you dressed.”

Hunter

“I’ve completed allthe upgrades to the InKrypto platform. It’s locked down tighter than a nun’s asshole.”

My father’s sullen face stares back at me from behind his computer terminal. “That’s good to know, and I appreciate the colorful language.”

“I hear R&D is ahead of schedule.”

“Also good.”

“Our Formidable Businessman ranking will probably take a hit this year, especially with Icor and Dallanger teaming up, but we haven’t lost any customers. If anything, we’ve expanded—”

“That’s really great. Now, is there anything important you have to tell me, or are you just killing time?”

“Killing time? That sounds—”

“You come in here and tell me a bunch of shit I already know, then carry on with more shit I already know, when you’re supposed to be up there with your girlfriend doing…well, I shouldn’t have to spell it out.”

“Arinessa is fine. She’s hanging out up in my suite while I—”

“I know you were working all night.”

I downcast my eyes, hating that I’ve disappointed him.

After seeking out an old acquaintance from the FBI yesterday, I couldn’t return to my suite. I couldn’t faceher. So, I hid out in my office and slept slumped over onto my desk. It wasn’t comfortable, but I couldn’t afford the comfort of my bed…or Arinessa.

“What can I say? I couldn’t stay away too long. I’m married to my job.”

Father leans back in his chair, massaging the bridge of his nose in frustration. “Yeah, that’s the problem.”

Guilt needles me, but I met with my father for a reason, and I have to see this through. I need to find out more about his friendship with Aunt Lucy.

“Nothing wrong with a son following in his father’s footsteps, and doing a damn good job of it, if I may be so bold.”

“If only you’d follow in other ways…”

I deserve everything he’s throwing at me. I’m the one who brought us to this point. It’s my price to pay.

“Pardon?” I say innocuously.