Page 54 of Hacking His Code

“It didn’t seem like Mother and Aunt Lucy were very close in the end,” I say carefully, hoping I don’t sound too ambitious, “with Lucy deciding to work from home.”

His jaw shifts and I now know something I did not before: my father is hiding something.

It’s funny how I never thought to question him on it, not until Ari brought up things that were blatantly obvious. Things you wouldn’t think twice about unless you looked from the outside in.

“It was for the best. Ernestine and I were starting our lives together, and we needed to focus on our growing family.” Father’s brow draws inward. “God, how did we get so sidetracked?”

“I guess I was just curious how you adapted to all the changes that took place in Mother after Lucy disappeared.”

Don’t say it. Don’t you fucking says it.

“Because I guess a small part of me worries that somehow time will change Arinessa, and no matter how strongly I feel for her now, it could all change if—”

“You can’t live your life like that, son,” Father cuts in. “If you love Ari, you need to tell her. Time slips away. You always think there will be more of it, but every second is so fucking precious, and you don’t realize it until it’s too late.”

The passion storming in my father’s eyes disarms me. I’m no longer an investigator. I’m a pupil.

“I barely know her,” I say without thinking. “I mean, everything is happening so quickly.”

“Hunter, you’re twenty-seven-years-old, and Arinessa is the first woman you’ve ever brought to meet us. You’re not some young, rash kid—you’re an adult. There is absolutely something about this woman that makes her special to you.”

“She’s not rich or from some legacy line. She’s not even middle class.”

“Luckily, with our coffers, we don’t have to worry about that.”

“That doesn’t bother you at all?”

“Maybe it would have ten years ago, but the only thing I really care about right now is that you and Ernestine are happy. I love you both with every ounce of my nerd soul.”

Despite how unsure I am about everything, I manage a chuckle. I really am lucky to have been born to such loving parents.

“Anything else?” he asks.

There is so much more I want to ask, but the last thing I want to do is turn into a babbling mess.

It’s funny how I came to my father’s office with every intention of plying information from him, and instead, I’m discussing Arinessa, a woman I met seventy-two hours ago when I sent hired muscle to kidnap her.

“To be honest, I don’t think Ari feels for me the way I feel for her.”

“Well, I can’t imagine she’d be up there right now if she didn’t like you.”

“It was supposed to be about a job,” I say honestly. “I was considering hiring her for a position. She’s quite talented, and you know how competitive it can be to land someone with her skill set. Then, I don’t know…she kind of overwhelmed me in a way I didn’t expect.”

“Sounds like what your mother did to me.”

“But I don’t think Ari will ever really go for me. Not seriously.”

“Why not? You got my good looks,” he says jokingly. We both know full well I got my looks from my mother.

Thankfully.

“She doesn’t trust men. And…I don’t think she was prepared for dating a Davies. She didn’t fully realize who I was until I brought her here. It’s a lot for her to take in.”

“Most women would climb on the backs of friends and enemies alike to get in the vicinity of a Davies.”

“Not Arinessa.”

“Hopefully, your mother will make her feel welcome. I have a feeling they’ll speak the same language.”