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"It's already covered," Finn says, and then shrugs when everyone looks at him. "If Scarlett's going to work here, she's going to be safe. I'll pay whatever I have to pay to make that happen."
Maddie looks at me with wide eyes.
I blush.
"We'll cover it," Fischer says. "It's our responsibility."
"Okay, this is my cue to exit stage right," Maddie says with a laugh. "Scarlett, walk me to the back. You can catch me up on business while they argue over who is paying for what."
I fall into step beside her, though I already know she doesn't want to talk business. She wants to know about Finn. It's written all over her face. I don't mind telling her. I like Maddie. She's a great boss and is turning out to be a good friend.
She pauses by the table stacked high with Finn's books.
"Those are Finn's," I mutter.
"Finnreads mafia romance?" She quirks a brow.
"It's a long story."
"Then it's a good thing they'll be arguing for the next hour," she says, looping her arm through mine and pulling me toward the back. "Because that leaves you plenty of time to spill."
"Do you want me to start with the tentacle porn, the mafia romance, or the stalker?"
"I think we're going to need longer than an hour," she mumbles.
Chapter Eight
Finn
"You'resurethisiswhere he's staying?" Giant asks, running a hand down his chin as he eyes the Silver Spoon Suites, a resort hotel situated just outside of town. In its heyday, the resort stayed booked. And then Jimmy Gatlin, the owner, targeted Andreas "Playboy" Romano's sister, Autumn. The truth about what kind of man he really is has come out in a steady stream ever since. Needless to say, his businesses aren't thriving in this town any longer.
"Positive," I growl, peeling my leathers off and shoving them into my saddlebags. The late morning sun beats down on the back of my neck, though I doubt it's the reason I feel overheated. My blood has been simmering all night. Leaving Scarlett at the shop didn't help. Even though my brothers are there to protect her, I want this shit finished so badly I can taste it. I won't be able to relax until I know she's safe. "I hacked his bank account and his email. He checked in five days ago on an open-ended reservation. They've been charging him nightly." I nod at the black town car parked in one of the few occupied spots. "And that's his car. I ran his plates."
"It's a goddamn miracle you haven't been arrested yet," Giant mutters with a disgusted shake of his head. "Armstrong is going to flip his shit if he ever finds out you've been hacking into TCIC using his login credentials."
"I don't use his."
Giant cocks a brow.
"I use the NSAs."
"Jesus Christ," he mutters, laughing abruptly.
The way I figure it, after all the shit I've done to help them out over the years, they owe me. Looking the other way when I occasionally commit a felony to gather intel is the least they can do. I use my powers for good and all that shit. Besides, they can't afford for me to go to prison. I know all their dirty secrets, and I keep my mouth shut. They might not be so lucky with the next hacker they stumble across. Most of us are mercenaries for hire. Money talks, bullshit walks.
I have plenty of money. That's not why I do what I do. I enjoy the challenge and the thrill of the chase. I'm also a nosy motherfucker who happens to like cracking into vaults of information to reveal their secrets. The things people don't want you to know are always the most interesting things about their companies or governments. Knowing those things helps keep them honest.
"What do you want to do?" Giant asks.
"Rip his balls out through his throat."
He places a firm hand on my shoulder, his expression grim. "You need to play this cool, brother. If you go in there with your temper raging, you're not going to do yourself or your girl any favors. She expects you to come back to her today. If I have to go back and tell her that you're in jail for killing this motherfucker, I'm going to be pissed about it."
"I'm not going to kill him."
Giant's grip on my shoulder loosens.
"Yet," I add. "Too many witnesses. I'm going to impress upon him why I should be seeing assholes and elbows within the hour. After that, I'll kill him."
