Page 165 of Pandora's Pleasure

“I get that,” I said.

“Is that why you were in Galante’s home?” asked Theo.

“He’ll never know I was there,” I told him. “I would never betray your family, Mr. Godman.”

Theo shot the Senator an uneasy glance. “I think this matter is tied up, then.”

“Take her home,” said Senator Godman.

Theo rested a hand on my shoulder. “Your father sent a car.”

I stood up slowly, my legs feeling shaky. “I wish you all the luck in the world on Election Day, Senator.”

“I appreciate that.” It was as calculated an answer as I could expect from a Godman; though his eyes and expression softened, as though he were seeing me in a new light. “Stay out of trouble.”

“You’re welcome,” I said, sounding cheeky. He deserved it.

In the quiet of night, I was escorted out of the Senator’s home and led toward a car.

Once inside the sleek limo, which I recognized as one of my father’s, I pulled on my seatbelt, my hands still trembling. This time, I’d stood up to the Senator and I’d spoken my mind. This time, I’d come through for me.

Theo joined me in the back of the limo. “What the hell just happened?”

“I diverted a disaster.”

“I’m just trying to get my head around that.”

“Last person on earth and all that, I imagine.”

“You imagine right. Did you really break into Galante’s home?”

“A friend let me in. We probably shouldn’t talk about it.”

“He probably has cameras.”

“He does, and I wiped all the footage from that day.”Poof, all evidence of Phoebe and I coming and going now erased from his security system. It had been easy to hack into from inside the house, using the last sixty seconds I had left after the files had transferred into my possession.

Theo looked astonished. “I can see what Damien sees in you.”

“Finally.”

He gave me a sly smile. “I’m going to need access to the BODI.”

I rested my head back and stared at him.

“No more games, Pandora.” He held out his palm. “Write the password down, please.”

“This car’s not taking me home, is it?”

He looked at me with an expression I’d never seen on his face before, and then he looked away. “The driver has your passport.”

I took a deep breath. “Take care of Damien. Tell him I’ll always love him.”

He looked stunned. “You’re not going to give us access to the files?”

The person who had the access held all the power. And I wasn’t ready to give it up just yet. “There’s a kill switch on it.”

Theo stared at me. “Pandora!”