Page 65 of Savage Temptation

“Every phone manufacturerhas caved to our demands,” Lance says, hands laced behind his head. “The Playground will be everywhere.”

“That’s great news.”

“That’s not all—every medical college has agreed to slowly implement the Playground into their teachings. Before students work on actual people, they’ll test out their skills in the system.”

“Also great news.”

“And the military is very interested in conducting operations inside the Playground as well. Particularly explosive ordnance disposal.”

“I like what I’m hearing.”

“And that’s all the good news.”

I brace myself. “Is there bad?”

“Not bad, just…it’ll cause you stress.”

“I’m listening.”

“Conduit, the company that leaked the footage, denied involvement, but it’s obviously them. Legal has found a way to break the contract, and I found another plant that will be happy to do business with us, but it will put us behind schedule three months. Despite the delay, they will get the first shipment of chips to us on the agreed-upon date we had with Conduit, but the second and third shipments will lag.”

“That’s actually better than I expected.”

“Your lawyers want to know if you’d like to proceed with pressing charges.”

“Yes, I don’t care the cost—I want them to pay for what they’ve done.”

“The damage to their reputation will be hard enough for them to overcome, but I hear ya.”

“I still can’t believe they were able to pull the footage during my short visit. They had literal minutes of use.”

Lance shrugs. “They were in charge of making highly advanced chips and had blueprints of privileged information. They’re not amateurs.”

“Ah, I just wanna say that I’m really sorry about how all that played out. I never meant to hurt you or your sis.”

Lance nods. “It’s…difficult, but it’s not worth losing a friend over.”

“How is Tessa?”

“Upset.”

“Still.”

Lance frowns. “You basically ripped her heart out.”

I wince, but he’s right.

“We’ve been friends for a while, man, but I gotta tell ya, I don’t get you anymore. Why my sis? Why hurt her?”

“I don’t think we should discuss this.”

“I kind of think we need to. I mean, I still love you like a brother, but this has been weighing on me.”

If he really wants to know, I guess I’d better tell him.

“The truth is, I’ve been in love with your sister for quite some time. It started when she was in college, growing over the years. I thought it was because she was forbidden, being your little sister. But even after…you know…I just wanted her so badly.”

He glares at me, baring his teeth.