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Page 23 of Only the Wicked (The Sinful State #1)

Chapter Eighteen

Rhodes

The flight to D.C. takes less than an hour—barely enough time to process what I’m leaving behind in the Highlands. As the plane climbs above the mountains, I catch myself already missing the simplicity of the last few days.

If I find the time to get my pilot’s license, I could fly a short leg like this one. As it is, we’re in a small six-seater. ARGUS owns a more luxurious jet, but I let our executive team take it for a meeting in Europe this week.

The seats on each side of the aisle are comparable to a first-class seat, wide with plenty of legroom.

The attendant, an accessory I added last minute when I realized I’d have company, is already seated up front with the pilot.

Sydney fell asleep in her reclined seat within ten minutes of departure.

I can’t really blame Syd given I woke her in the middle of the night.

There’s something about her that makes me feel fifteen years younger.

Or maybe it’s the vacation. When Miles forced me out the door after my request to fire our long-time friend, sleep deprivation led me to agree.

But, as usual, Miles has proven himself correct. I needed a change in scenery.

I thought I’d be itchy to jump back into things, but instead I’m resentful of the handful of meetings I have planned later on today during my vacation.

Am I still annoyed with Alex’s pressure campaign?

Absolutely. He’ll either get on board with our mission or he’ll exit.

Even if he gets on board, we still need someone with more experience.

The temptation to check email is there, but I brush it aside. I’m not quite ready to dive back into it. Miles is right on this front. We hire the best. I need to trust the people we’ve placed in charge—everyone except Alex. We haven’t built a sustainable company if I can’t step away.

But before I check messages, I check in with Nana. I’d normally video call, but I’m in the air.

On the way to D.C. Glad I got to see you.

Three dots instantly flicker. She’s always quick to respond.

Nana Libby

So good to see you sweetheart. Did you have a good vacation?

I did

Nana Libby

I wish you didn’t spend it alone

I hesitate. It’s tempting to tell her, but there’s no need to open Pandora’s Box. Not yet. Though I find myself typing and deleting “Actually, Nana…” three times before settling on my response. Perhaps I’ll introduce Nana to Syd on my next video call.

Nana Libby

One day you’re going to find someone who gives you a reason to exist outside the office. You might believe this old lady is foolish but trust me on this one.

My finger hovers over the phone, torn between sending her a photo of a sleeping Sydney and wishing Nana a peaceful evening so I can read through my messages.

Nana Libby

The Mahjong game is about to start. Let me know when you land. Love you dear.

Love you too.

After ending the text exchange, I settle back in my seat, watching Sydney sleep.

Her face is peaceful, completely relaxed.

The contrast between her serenity and the email overload awaiting isn’t lost on me.

I flip over to my messaging app. As expected, there are tons of unread messages.

I scroll through, purposefully skipping any that can be dealt with Monday morning.

Daisy Jonas

Question 4 U

Daisy Jonas

Where r u?

OTW 2 DC

Daisy Jonas

Alone?

Why?

Daisy Jonas

Color me suspicious

Of?

Daisy Jonas

The one who claims she didn’t know you

Can she read this exchange?

No.

I glance over at Sydney. Her mouth is slightly open, and she’s curled to her side, peacefully sleeping.

What’s up?

Daisy Jonas

Sydney was in the same CIA class as Caroline Moore.

Dorian Moore’s wife?

Daisy Jonas

Bingo

So?

Daisy Jonas

You don’t find that suspicious?

I’ve never met Moore.

I swear, it’s like Daisy thinks everyone in our industry knows each other. None of Moore’s companies are in the AI space. It’s been ages since I attended industry events to mingle.

What’s her logic?

Daisy Jonas

Still gonna dig

I appreciate your concern but put that big brain of yours to a better use.

She’s protective, but I can’t fault her. When she dates, I’m just as protective. The small crew of us that built ARGUS are family, and Daisy’s like my sister. A brilliant little sister who can almost code as well as me.

I’m still processing Daisy’s paranoia about Sydney when another message pops up.

Miles

You’re bringing her with you to D.C.?

Damn, Daisy.

Still on holiday. I win our bet.

Miles

When do I get to meet the lady friend?

She lives in the D.C. area.

I start to type that I won’t see her after Sunday but delete that part of the message. I want to see her again.

Miles

Denial?

Holiday

Miles

Please. The last time you went on three dates with the same woman you dated her for seven years. You, my friend, are a serial monogamist.

I’ve had 2 relationships

Miles

Point made. You don’t do casual.

That’s bullshit. I just hate dating. If I find someone I enjoy spending time with, why keep circulating?

That you’re aware of

Unlike that fucker, I don’t brag about my hook-ups.

Miles

One night hook-ups OR relationship. Those are your two circuit pathways my binary friend.

Compared to…you? Mr. Poly?

Miles

I’m open-minded. You should try it.

At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that Miles hosts full-blown orgies. I don’t ask, I don’t care. It’s his life.

Miles

Is the lady friend moving in?

East Coast

Of course, I’m going to help her find a job and San Francisco has a fantastic job market.

Miles

Want to bet?

I exhale a degree of frustration.

Stop

Miles

Sara moved in in under four weeks. Should I put a timer on it?

Me:

Fuck off

Miles

Speaking of…I had drinks with Sara last night

Good for you.

I’m being an ass, but he’s put me in a bad mood.

Miles

She still pines for you. But she’d neuter me for saying that.

I’m glad that he’s still friends with her, but…

We weren’t right together. You know that, right?

I cared for Sara, I did. But, we had nothing in common. If I’m honest with myself, we lasted as long as we did because my intense work life allowed me to avoid confrontation at home.

Miles

In all seriousness, I agree. Plus, at the risk of obliterating your ego, IMO she loves the chase—not you. The moment a guy is into her, she’s over it. If you ever really fell for her, she would’ve dropped you too.

That’s deep Johnson.

Miles

That’s what he said.

I roll my eyes. I’m sure there’s a story there. He’s set her up on dates or met guys she’s dating. I don’t want to know, so I drop it. Our friendship with Sara is one of our few commonalities these days, which I assume is why he keeps bringing her up.

The plane begins its descent, causing my ears to pop. Sydney blinks and stretches.

I glance out the window. The pristine blues and greens of the Highlands have given way to the geometrical grid of the capital region.

Concrete and glass replace the mountains and trees.

Where the air in North Carolina carried the scent of pine and wildflowers, even through the plane’s filtered cabin, the approaching cityscape promises exhaust fumes and the metallic tang of ambition.

It’s a transition I’ve made countless times, but today it feels particularly jarring—like stepping from a dream back into reality.

I delete the text exchanges, erasing the evidence of my friends’ theories about my love life. The last thing I need is Sydney accidentally seeing Miles’ commentary. I offer the attendant a smile when she enters the cabin.

After she retrieves our drinks, I shift to face Sydney.

“Do you always sleep on planes?”

With a bashful yawn, she says, “No. But this is a smaller plane than I’m usually in. And a much more comfortable seat.”

Her gaze drops to the phone in my hand.

“Checking in on things?”

“No.” I grin, damn proud I’m telling her the truth. “Miles and Daisy don’t count.” She raises a questioning eyebrow, and it’s as if she’s experienced enough with me to call me on my BS. Of course, she doesn’t know that side of me. “My laptop remains secure in its case.”

“Are Miles and Daisy your partners?”

“Miles Johnson is a co-founder. We dropped out of B-school at the same time, founded a start-up at the right moment, sold it, and when I had the idea for another venture, he handled all the aspects I hated. Daisy is a programmer—an engineer. She’s been with us for years.

And yes, they’re colleagues, but close friends. ”

“Only one partner?”

“Well, there’s me. CTO.”

“The programming nerd?” She smiles.

“The creator,” I correct. The company wouldn’t exist without me. “Miles is CEO. And then we have a CFO.”

“Do you not like him?” If she picked up on that from my tone, then I need to watch how I say things.

“It’s not that. We go way back. Harvard, actually.

When Miles and I dropped out, he stayed on.

Got his degree. Worked for a VC firm. We snagged him when we started up ARGUS.

” I pause, searching for any flicker of recognition.

We’re not a household brand. But she’s silent, listening, so I continue.

“He took a chance on us, and I don’t have an issue with him as a person.

But I worry we’re at a stage now where we need someone with more experience.

We have capital needs.” I run my hand through my hair, as I consider how to simplify the problem.

“He’s pushing for standard solutions, and we need someone who has a more creative approach and long-term strategy. ”

“That’s got to be tough. Given you’re friends.”

The insightful comment reminds me why I like her. She’s intuitive. Miles has never considered my position on Alex isn’t without internal conflict.

“It is. But bringing someone in with more experience, in the long run, is best for Alex too.”

The flight attendant enters the cabin and lets us know we’ll be landing momentarily and returns to the cockpit.

Sydney adjusts her seat, allowing the seat to return to the upright position, and the shift underscores the end of vacation and the inevitable consideration of next steps.

“So about that resume…”

Her eyes widen slightly with guarded surprise, but I’m not scolding her for not having sent it yet.

“Like I told you, I know recruiters. But if you’re not in a hurry…” I lift a shoulder, letting her know I have no intention of pressuring her.

“I’d appreciate that. Any connections you think might be a good fit would be great.”

Her response is a bit too professional for my taste. There’s a distance in her tone that wasn’t there in the Highlands, as if she’s already shifting back into job-search mode. I don’t like it.

“Are you wanting to stay in D.C.?”

Back in the Highlands, our conversation never drifted to the future. But as we close in on D.C., my inner gears automatically shift to reality.

“I’m not sure,” she says, and I get it. I’d never let a location drive a career decision. “What about you? Did coming home to North Carolina make you rethink where you’re living?”

Nana would love it if I moved closer. But she’s never complained about our scheduled video calls.

Would I like to move? Sure. I’m tired of San Francisco. There’s too much traffic and the weather sucks. But I spend so much time in the office, either at home or at our headquarters, my home base doesn’t factor.

But maybe that’s about to change.

“Have you been to San Francisco?”

She tilts her head and emits a slight sigh before answering, “Yes.”

If I’m reading her correctly, she believes that’s a silly question. The unstated obviously I’ve been hangs in the air.

“When you come visit, I’ll take you somewhere you haven’t been.”

“Where’s that?”

“I don’t know. Give me a list of where you’ve been.”

She half-laughs and leans to look out the window as we descend.

The private airport we’re landing in is outside of D.C. proper, but the area is so developed buildings fill the landscape. There’s not much to see.

She didn’t say no to visiting, but she didn’t say yes, either.

I’d like to win her over before she learns who I am. Before she’s bored in front of her laptop and queries my name.

Am I looking for a serious relationship? No. The obligations? The fights? The guilt? Definitely not.

But do I want to keep seeing this breath of fresh air? Yes.

Would I prefer she not learn my net worth for quite some time? Also, yes. But preferences are not always feasible.

The plane lands, and as we taxi, she removes her phone and checks it for incoming messages.

I check the time. I have a meeting at the Russian embassy at three and then drinks with Evie at four.

Sydney’s sundress worked perfectly in the Highlands, but she’s going to need an appropriate wardrobe if she’s my plus one over the weekend.

“You live close, right?”

“I don’t know exactly where we are,” she answers, looking up from her screen.

“Just outside of D.C.” I don’t know exactly where we are either, but I know from looking on the map she doesn’t live too far from the D.C. metro area. “Do you want to swing by your place to swap out clothes?”

She hesitates, like she can’t decide how to answer.

She could easily decide she’d rather go home than join me at a nearby hotel for the weekend.

“Tell you what. Forget I asked.”

I tap a message to Elena, a personal shopper in the D.C. area who’s saved me from numerous wardrobe emergencies when business trips ran long.

“I’ve got it handled.”

“What exactly do you have handled?”

Her head tilts to the side, and I smile, excited for what’s in store. “The weekend.”

Page 23 of Only the Wicked (The Sinful State #1)

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