Either way, every second is priceless. Not to be wasted. God, he wishes he had time to do the things he wanted to that woman waiting back in the unit. But if this new business venture is a success, he’ll have all the time in the world.
The Plan:
Launch the business.
Fill Kate’s Worldbank account, then his own.
Date her. Pursue her like the treasure she is. Like she deserves. Take it slow. Earn her affection. Show her he’s worth it.
Fuck her senseless.
Time to step up his game and secure their future.
28 – It’s a Baby!
K8
“So you’re going to use the Birthing Agency to create fake identities, then sell them?” K8 asks incredulously.
“It’s more complicated than that, but yes, that’s the idea,” James says.
Is he serious? It sounds risky at best. “And if you run into a problem?”
They were sitting on the couch as he told her about his lunch, but he has since begun pacing. “I’ll have the funds in my Blackmarks account I can wash to unicoin to cover the next few months’ lease.”
“But you have to pay for the PalmPrint prototypes, too,” she says, letting her eyes track his restless form.
He pulls his device from his pocket and shows her the already impressive balance. “I think we’ll be fine. Besides, we’re splitting the start-up costs.”
“But what if they catch onto you at the boxing club?” she asks. “BLACKOUT accounts can get frozen or deleted.” A part of her is gladhe’s so forthright with his plans. His willingness to share the details of what he’s doing gives her some measure of reassurance. But knowing the illicit nature of what he’s up to makes her stomach twist.
“I know it’s a risk, so I’m moving a portion of the funds to the IdenTECH account. That leaves almost enough in my Blackmarks account to cover half another month’s lease. By the time I need it, I’ll be able to cover month five, if not more,” he explains.
She shrugs, twirling a lock of hair on her finger nervously. All this illegal activity is so nerve-racking. At least he is confiding in her; he could choose to tell her nothing. And while there is a certain temptation to being kept blissfully unaware, she vaguely remembers reading an article from the past about communication being at the heart of a relationship. He’s trying, she reminds herself. Which is anxiety producing, but also sweet. Because he’s doing it for her.
What she needs is a distraction. Something nice to take her mind off what he’s doing. “I wish you didn’t have to operate on BLACKOUT, but if you’re certain you’ll have month five covered—”
He raises a brow so she’ll continue.
“I thought I might step out and see if I could find an outfit for Lessa’s conception celebration.” That’s exactly what she needs. Something that will make her feel good. Maybe something that will cause James to be unable to keep his hands off her.
He chuckles, which makes her feel immensely better. “Go on. Plan on me covering month five. You deserve to have all the nice things you desire, as long as you’re certain you can afford them.”
