Page 46 of Off Her Game

“Three days.” Tom said.

“Are we going to talk about it?” Tori asked.

“About what?” Tom shrugged.

“They want the full code toZoneworldwith the key to unlock its security. They want it at any cost.” Color bloomed on her cheeks.

“We heard.” Tom looked toward Sam.

“Hey. I’m Sam. I run IT security at NJ Legacy. I thought what you did at the competition in D.C. was brilliant. I was sorry we had to mess you up. Maybe someday…” His gaze snagged on Tom, which stopped him. He slid a flash drive toward her. “It’s got code for the first three levels ofZoneworld Twofree of the security lock.”

Tori stared at the drive but didn’t take it.

Sam continued, “I built a back door into it. The second it’s opened I’ll know. It’s like a virus that’ll allow me to do anything to whatever computer it’s used on. Once I’m into the system, it’s mine.”

Tori fingered the flash drive. “Is the back door detectable? The guys who Symphis will have hacking the game will be good. They’re going to scan.”

“Probably not as good as me.” Sam met her gaze, challenging.

Tori asked, “You guarantee they won’t pick it up. That it won’t cause a single blip of malfunction?”

Sam nodded.

“Three levels will let the kid taste the milkshake, but not have it. He’s not going to like this.” After a deep inhale she took the flash drive. She rose. “If this is the whole point to my being at this brunch thing then I’m done, right?”

No one voiced a denial.Come on. Someone keep her here.

“We can’t have another meeting. This is the last one. We’ve got to assume he knows you’re here in NJ Legacy’s building today. And I’m here. I’m going to have to convince them you didn’t recruit me…” Her gaze darted to Noah and filled with concern. “Or Noah. You guys are making this more difficult.” She headed to the door, but paused by Noah before she left. She held up the zip drive and whispered to him, “I’ll tell them this cost way more than a blowjob.”