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“That was the night I was sent to the wrong place.”
Ryker’s face softened at her words, something in him easing. “I’m glad to hear you believe me. Yes, I think this confirms that Dex was also behind that night. I’m not sure what his motive was. If he just wanted you off the team, there were easier ways to do it. Why did he deceive us both?”
“Because he’s obsessed with you,” Asa said, his eyes falling to us. He’d been sitting back with his hands steepled as he thought. When he noticed we were all looking at him, he leaned forward.
“You said he was a brilliant coder? Correct?”
Ryker nodded, focusing on Asa.
“You were roommates. He had access to your computer and phone and could hack any of your passwords. I’ve learned how easy it is to clone those things with the right access this past year. You’d never question it because he was your friend. I bet if we look back through some of the messages, there were more conversations neither of you had with the other. When did you start liking Oblivion where he would’ve noticed?”
Ryker thought about it, glancing at Fin before turning back. “Maybe after our third mission. It was probably about three months into it.”
“It wasn’t too long after that you found out I was a girl,” she said, her voice quiet.
“So, you’re saying that, he’s what? Obsessed with me? So he went after Fin to keep us apart? That’s ludicrous. We were only friends.”
“To you, but he obviously wanted more,” I spat, some of my anger coming out in my words.
Ryker hung his head, taking a few breaths. “I screwed up with you, Cohen, and I’m sorry for that. I got scared. I promise, though, it wasn’t like that with Dex. It was a drunken mistake. You… you never were.”
He held my eyes, sincerity shining through, but I didn’t know if I could trust it. Turning my head, I tapped my fingers on my knee as I tried to figure out the piece we were missing.
“Why now?” I asked, interrupting whatever they’d been talking about.
“Pardon?” Ryker asked, giving me his full attention.
“Why is he just coming after Fin now? She’s been living her life for six years without a peep from either of you. So, why now?”
“I don’t know,” Ryker said, leaning back to think. “I managed to assist The Order in shutting MKG down years ago, and the original people behind it are in jail. I even checked again today that they were still behind bars. From what I can gather, Dex has been quietly operating MKG from the dark web. It wasn’t until the past month they even popped back up on The Order’s radar. I didn’t think it was too serious since they’d been gone for so long. When Fin initially messaged me on the old server, I worried it was connected, but after a few traces, I knew she was clean. I thought,” he paused, clearing his throat. He sat up, reaching out a hand to Fin.
She peered at it, not sure what to do. Hesitantly, she placed her hand in his. I wanted to yank it away, but I wouldn’t do that to her.
“I thought at first you were back to apologize for what happened. When you didn’t say anything, I figured the best way to engage after so long was to play our game. I wanted you to join our ranks, but I needed to know for certain you were ready. So, I devised the tests.”
She pulled her hand back. Her eyes narrowed as some of her sass rose to the surface. “By covering me in drinks, ruining my computer, and then dousing me in paint? Or was it the attempted drugging and abduction? Some game.” She scoffed, rolling her eyes.
“That wasn’t me. I saw the person follow you, and I intervened. I was fighting them off. I would never drug you or take you against your will, Fin.”
She sat back, and I pulled her in tighter, happy to have her close to me. Ryker’s jaw tightened at the embrace, and I smirked, unable to hide my enjoyment at his discomfort.
“It wasn’t until then that I knew something else was at play.”
“Do you think that was Dex?” Milo asked.
“Could’ve been, or one of his disciples from MKG sent on a mission. It was hard to gauge in that fun house.”
“Speaking of, creepy place to meet,” I said, unable to miss an opportunity to needle him some.
Ryker looked at me oddly. “I said the Ferris wheel, like in the book. But you sent back the funhouse.”
“Fudge sauce!” Fin said, jumping up. “He planned that. He’s been manipulating our moves even now!” She began to tug at her hair as she paced the small space between the couch and table, stopping when she came to the legs of the three grown men. When she realized she had about two inches to pace, she fell into the couch, exasperated.
“I’m starting to believe you more,” she admitted.
“We should thoroughly sweep our electronics and change any SIM cards just in case.”
“I used burners the whole time. It has to be the server,” Fin argued.
