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“You really don’t want a bonefide job, do you?”
That touched a nerve. “So that’s what you really think, unemployed loser hacker. You’re wrong, Lady. I’ve had plenty of bonefide jobs and I don’t need your help to find one.”
Harry turned around. “Take it easy, both of you. If you’re going to do this you need to work together.”
Lara nodded at him and pressed her lips together while she considered him at length. She took a deep breath. “Seriously, are you interested or not?”
“I’m interested. I’m just watching my back every bit as much as you are, lady.” He paused and smiled. He had no intention of walking away, this was far too interesting. Especially her, she had his total attention. “So tell me, how do you plan to get me on the inside? Smuggle me in?”
“I told my father I had a friend at university who would appreciate the opportunity of a summer placement to gain experience.”
“How did that go down?”
She looked rather awkward, took the glasses off and folded them but then kept shifting them in her hands while she thought about her response. “He agreed, but he seems to think the person is special to me.”
“So not only does this job entail undercover investigation, but I have to pretend to be someone else, someone who’s special to you.” Draco was warming to the idea more by the moment.
Not only would he get to be inside Compton Finance, where he could wreak a little revenge on behalf of Sean, but he got to hang out with Miss Lara here. He wanted to know exactly what she looked like without her fake glasses and her business suit to impress the crowd. Just as she wanted him to play a part, she was playing a part too. Impress daddy, beat the brothers into his favour, be maverick and stand out.
She was a royal princess who’d created a summer vacation adventure for herself. It just so happened Draco didn’t have anything else on right then. All he had to do was have fun, stir up some internal trouble, and make sure he didn’t leave a trail.
“What if I get caught? It wouldn’t look good. My stepbrother is currently incarcerated and you want me to do what’s, in effect, a similar crime, no matter how much you pretty it up.”
“As I already indicated I’ve had a contract drawn up, entirely legal. It states you’re working for me and that I’ll take full responsibility for all eventualities.”
That was some burden she was willing to shoulder, by taking him aboard.
Was she crazy?
Draco reached for the contract and scanned it. An impressive fee was stated at the end. Money clearly wasn’t an issue for her.
Weighing it up, he knew it was a crazy risk. He really didn’t want a police record, but if he had the contract why not seek a little revenge, especially if he got to spend time with pretty miss daddy’s girl. “Aren’t you worried I’ll help myself, once I get access to the company software?”
“I’d be stupid not to be aware of that risk.”
Something about the way she said “risk” triggered a reaction in Draco, as if in saying it, heavily weighted with meaning, she was calling to something inside him.
She was a risk taker. This really was her summer vacation adventure.
“However,” she continued, “I figure you’re being offered a decent fee, seventy five percent of which is on closure, and the other path open to you, while tempting, would lead you to prosecution and no fee.”
He nodded.
“Any other concerns?”
“Tell me what you know about the fraud.”
She arched eyebrows slightly. “Does that mean you’re going to take on the task?”
He gave a noncommittal shrug. What did he have to lose? His liberty, if it went wrong. He’d have to tread carefully, watch his back. This job might just fill time before he moved on to something long term.
Miss Lara was waiting for his reply. She leaned toward him, obviously anxious. What would be like to kiss those lush lips of hers? He wanted to know.
“Let’s just say I’m warming to the idea.” He gave her a long lingering look so she had no doubt what he meant he was warming to. It was almost imperceptible, bu
t the reaction was there. She inhaled sharply. He half expected her to draw away, but she met his stare levelly.
“I’m glad to hear it. I’m risking a lot here.”
