Page 99 of Jase

As they shook hands and laughed, I took in Kramer and Amber. For newbies, they were already making themselves at home. And if I wanted to be honest, they weren’t really new anymore. They’d held their position a hell of a lot longer than the others. And they were good. Their resumes, their experience, went beyond the majority. They would become foundation eventually. That was…if they made it past tonight.

“Snacks,” I yelled out. “They’re in the kitchen. Don’t forget to eat something. There’s even pizza over there if you want something heavier. Now that I have that out of the way, let’s all head into the living room. I’d like to make a toast.”

The group gathered as if we’d done this every weekend before. As if complete pandemonium weren’t ensuing all over the world around us.

Any minute now.

Any minute.

I stood before them, truly proud for what I was about to say. Smiles were beaming as I reached over, pulling Kody to my side. It felt right, regardless of the ploy.

“I want to thank every single one of you. Despite You2’s success, we know I’ve been in a rough patch for quite some time. That time is over. Between all your support, your hard work,and this gorgeous woman next to my side, the future has never looked so bright. We’re breaking records left and right. No one has ever done what we’re doing. I know I say this a lot, but tech history is being made and it’s time we stop looking to next month and take a moment to celebrate the hell out of it right now. We wouldn’t be here without all your dedication and skills. You’ve put in the hard work. Now it’s my turn to show my appreciation. So, with that…I have a surprise.” I looked at Kody, seeing the excitement radiating from her being. “Who’s ready to pick surprise cards?

“Ooh! Me!” Amber raised her hand, bouncing on her toes. I laughed, pointing at Rian who led the group to the table at the far end.

“We don’t have much time. You okay?”

Kody nodded. “Are you sure they’ll come?”

“They do any time something big happens. Between Rush’s past of almost getting caught, and our skillset, we’re like a magnet. They have all these plans and laws, but when shit does go down, they have no idea what they’re doing. They have people, but the people they need don’t usually want to work for them, if you know what I mean.”

“I hope they don’t come. Everyone’s having a good time.”

“I hope they don’t either. Let’s go see who gets the car.”

Kody’s feet nearly stumbled. “There’s a car as a prize? I’m coming to work for you.”

“No need. Give me your ultimate promise, and I’ll buy you the sun, the moon, and the stars.”

“Do I get to rule them as I see fit?”

My laugh had the others glancing over as Rian shook the bowl full of envelopes.

“You can rule, so long as you remember who you take your orders from.”

“Deal.”

I grabbed her ass. Kody jumped but smiled, leaning in to wrap her arms around me. Just as Rian tilted the bowl towards Kramer, my phone rang. Rian’s eyes met mine and I glanced down to Kody as I lifted my cell to see the caller ID.

“Rian, continue. I’ve got to take this call. Kody, go stand with Tiff, baby. I wouldn’t want you to miss all the fun.”

Like the perfect submissive, she held my eyes and nodded, plastering a fake smile as she clapped and joined the cheers echoing around the room. Tiffany wrapped her arm around her as Kody moved in, offering more support than most would probably ever know. If anything happened with us, they’d both be taken care of. They deserved that. They sure as hell didn’t deserve this.

I brought up the phone, hitting the button as I headed for the far kitchen corner. I could have gone to my room, but I needed everyone to see me at every moment possible. There couldn’t be any room for suspicion.

“Hello?”

“Do you think you’re smart? Do you think you can get away with this?”

My forehead creased as I pulled back the phone to look at the number again. It said Agent Warez, but this wasn’t the man I had been working with. It didn’t even make sense V would clone a number. He had no problem calling unknown or private, yet here he was, putting evidence on my phone that would help me, not him. Unless… he didn’t have a choice. Maybe he didn’t even know what number appeared on my phone. It’s not like this was planned. It had to have caught him off guard, so he made do with what he had.

I went into my device, hitting the record button as I brought it back to my ear.

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about. I think you may have the wrong number.”

“Bullshit, Jase. I know this is you.”

“Yes. This is Jase Colter, but this isn’t Agent Warez. Who is this?”