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PROLOGUE
Three years ago
I watch Makayla from across the quad. Her short blonde hair is almost invisible in the sun, making her look bald. He likes to keep it buzzed, and I’ve fantasized about running my fingers through it more than once.
If only I had the courage to approach her.
I’ve always found women beautiful, but these new feelings I have are different. I’ve tried to talk to my best friend about it, but he says it’s a phase, and college is meant to explore my sexuality. Well, if the outbreak of STIs in the music department is what I have to look forward to, then I’ll just stay a virgin. Thank you very much.
I sigh as Makayla makes her way into the cafeteria with her group of friends.
I’m not even sure how we crossed paths.
I’m a technology major, and she’s an art major. We’re in totally different circles, yet it seems like lately, fate has been pushing us together.
I tap my pen on the edge of my computer, lost in thought, while my sandwich lays next to me, forgotten in the sun.
“Hot out today, isn’t it?” I turn to see a man in a leather vest plop down next to me in the shade, scoop up my discarded lunch, and start eating it.
“HEY! What the fuck, man. That’s my sandwich.” I frown as he offers it back to me.
“It’s been sitting there for a while. Figured you didn’t want it and it seemed a shame to let the ants eat a Katz’s pastrami.” Who is this man?
I’m right about to ask him, but he opens his mouth full of my lunch to speak again.
“So, why NYU? I know you got into MIT and CALTEC.” He swallows and bunches the paper up into a ball, tosses it into a nearby trashcan, and hoots when he makes the shot.
“How the hell do you know that?” He wipes a bit of mustard from the corner of his mouth off with his thumb, then licks it clean.
“Oh, Lacey. I know a lot of things. Like how you like to spend your quiet evenings alone on your computer, exposing criminals on the internet.
He pulls out my mask and twirls it in his hand.
“You’ve been in my room!” I grab it and hide it in my backpack glancing around to see if anyone saw it.
“Your room, your house back home in Indiana, your computer and servers, bank accounts…” He trails off when my phone beeps.
“Might want to check that.” He leans up against the tree and starts picking at his teeth with a fingernail.
I look at the notification from my bank that pops up on my screen and choke on my own salvia.
“What? This can’t be right. You did this! Are you trying to blackmail me?” I cough while speaking.
He laughs and pats my back.
“Maybe I should introduce myself. My name is Abel Brooks, and no, I’m not blackmailing you. I’m hiring you.” What?
“You’re off the rest of the afternoon. How about we take a drive and I’ll give you more details.” He stands and lowers a pair of sunglasses onto his nose.
“Um, fuck you. I’m not going anywhere with a stranger.” He smiles down at me and nods.
“Good. That was a test. You know Whistle and Fizz on Greene St.?” A knowing smirk crosses his face, so I don’t answer.
It’s on the corner from my apartment.
“See you in ten minutes there. And Lacey?” I haven’t moved a muscle, and he glances around me before continuing.
“That deposit was just a sign-on bonus. You really want to hear me out.” He turns around and walks over to a shiny Harley illegally parked.
