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I trained my gaze on Fiona. “Like I said, you need to increase security at work and at home. Li Na means business. She fights dirty.”
Fiona continued to turn Agent Marks’s card over in her hands. “I’ve never had security before. Personal security, I mean.”
“The brothers of Lauren’s fiancé run a security company. They’re excellent. Would you like me to have them get in touch?” I asked.
&
nbsp; “No, it’s fine. You’ve already helped me enough. My attorney recommended a firm, I just haven’t contacted them yet.”
“You should,” I said. “Today.”
“I know. I just keep hoping that she’s going to be reasonable, or the authorities in Shenzhen are going to do something about her.”
Lauren shook her head. “The authorities have been useless. You have to expect the worst.”
I grabbed my phone and shared Levi’s contact information with Fiona. “Your attorney might know a great firm, but Betts Security is the best, and they’ve already dealt with Li Na. Call them as soon as you leave here.”
Fiona pinched the bridge of her nose as if to ward off a headache. “I can’t believe we’re talking about this. Protocol is just wrapping up successful clinical trials. Our therapy could literally help millions of sick people—and then this bitch shows up again.”
“It is a shock.” Lauren kept her tone gentle. “Both of our companies are trying to do good work that will help people. It’s unnerving that someone would try to steal it, but this might be the new normal. Tech is like the Wild West. Li Na Zhao wants to take over the biotech marketplace and she wants to establish Shenzhen as the international hub of innovation—and she’s not waiting for permission.”
“Jiàn Innovations has had some success, but it’s on a small scale compared to what you and Lauren are doing,” I said. “Small isn’t good enough for Li Na. She wants more, and she wants it now. Clearly, she’s not above stealing—in fact, now that she’s approached you, too, I think she views it as the most expedient way to conduct business.”
Fiona looked stricken. “Jesus.”
Lauren sat back. “Call the FBI.”
“And Levi Betts.” I nodded at Fiona. “Trust me, you can’t take too many precautions in this situation. Please stay in touch with us. We’ve been there—you’re not alone.”
“I’m sorry to involve you, but I just didn’t know what else to do.” Fiona stood to go.
I stood, too, and pulled my friend in for one last hug. “Don’t be sorry. Be careful.”
But as I watched her leave, I was still worried. As my sister and I had learned the hard way, when it came to Li Na Zhao, careful wasn’t close to good enough.
* * *
I let the office early, which was unheard of in Silicon Valley—but I was anxious to get home to Wes. The whole ride, my mind worried over Fiona’s story. It had only been a few weeks since Gabe and the Betts security team had rescued me and shot multiple members of Li Na’s team, killing three men. But Li Na hadn’t even hit the pause button, already trying to hack into another California company and threatening its CEO the same way she’d threatened Lauren.
By the time the driver pulled up to the gate at Gabe’s compound, my palms were sweaty and I had a headache.
Brian, one of the three personal security agents assigned to me, noticed. He peered at me. “Are you okay, Ms. Taylor? You look a little pale.”
“Ms. Taylor is my sister—so please call me Hannah—and yes, I’m fine. It was my first day back at work, though, and it felt like a long time to be away from Wesley.” And the house. I breathed a sigh of relief as we went inside, grateful for the security of the familiar surroundings and also, the quiet.
Wes and Marcus, the handsome, dark-skinned, silver-haired nurse, were in the kitchen. Wes was standing, something he was approved to do only under supervision and in relatively short spurts.
I went and carefully wrapped my arms around him. I sighed in relief as I pressed my face against his chest, feeling his muscles surround me. I inhaled, relishing his familiar scent—a mixture of something manly (and testosterone-y) and clean laundry. Yum. “Hi.”
“Hey, babe. You’re home earlier than I expected.”
I leaned up on my tiptoes and kissed his nose. “I missed you. Seven hours away was long enough.”
Wes grinned, causing a familiar tug in my belly.
“It’s good to see you.” He took my face in his hands, his lips hungrily meeting mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck, clinging to him and molding my body against his. Our tongues connected, and I almost moaned. Luckily, I remembered myself…and all the other people in the room.
We pulled apart, Wes giving me the crooked grin I loved. “Oops.” But he didn’t sound sorry. The erection straining out toward me didn’t look too apologetic, either.
