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“Since then, I’ve helped to cultivate his talents. Bringing home different machines to see how he’d work with them. He hasn’t shown an affinity for hacking, yet. But he’s good with computers, taking them apart at least.”
I nod, thinking back on all the moments I must have missed. Now that he’s forthcoming with information, I realize I have no many questions. So much I want to ask but I can’t. If I push too hard, he’ll push back and I can’t afford that.
“The Colton’s are having some form of gala in about a week. It occurs annually,” I suddenly stay.
He tilts his head to the side, “And?”
“And owing to our partnership, my family has been consistently invited for the past few years. I’ve never gone but I figured this year I’ll show up and maybe I’ll bring a date.”
He frowns. “They’d recognize me in a heartbeat, princess. And in case you forgot, the whole point of this is to not get caught and ensure it can’t be traced back to my family.”
“Yeah, I know that. But the gala, is also a masquerade,” I tell him with a smile.
He arches an eyebrow, and then his mouth is lifting into a smile as well. A genuine one.
“What kind of tech company thinks it’s a good idea to throw a masquerade party? Those are security nightmares,” he states.
“A nightmare for them, an opportunity for you,” I point out.
His smile widens. “So you’re going to help?”
“Of course. I’m trying to build trust or at least some semblance of it. And that starts with doing this for you.”
The phone on his desk starts to ring. He offers me an apologetic glance before standing to pick it up. He speaks to the person on the other line for only a couple of seconds before dropping the call. He looks at me.
“I have a meeting, princess. But I’ll text you so we can work out the details of our plan. Is that okay?”
I nod, getting to my feet. “Of course, thank you. And I promise not to barge in here next time.”
“No need. I’ll be giving the front desk a picture of you and having you banned from the premises,” he says, giving me a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
The words are teasing but I get the feeling he’s not completely joking. I also understand that was his way of telling me not to come here again.
“Got it,” I tell him. “See you later, Alexander.”
“You can go back to calling me Xander,” he informs me. “Alexander sounds weird, especially coming from you.”
Our eyes meet from across the room and I blink at the sudden lightness in them.
“Bye Xander,” I say softly before walking out.
When I inform Rico that I’ll be attending the Colton gala, he has more than a couple of questions. But it isn’t until I tell him that I won’t be needing any security for the night that the questions become a full on inquisition.
“What’s going on, Katerina?” he asks, his expression suspicious.
“Nothing. I am allowed to attend a party on my own, am I not?”
“You are, but you wanting to go there without any protection is suspicious.”
I look up, fixing him with a hard stare. “If it was my Papa making such a request, you wouldn’t question him for a second.”
Rico has a retort to that ready. “Sure but you’re not Eduardo, you’re my cousin. And ever since Alexander Steele arrived in town, you’ve been acting weird. I want to know why. Because I’m a hundred percent sure your wanting to attend the gala has something to do with him.”
I let out a soft breath of frustration. It’s not like I blame him for having so many questions. He’s right, I am acting suspicious. But only because I’m keeping so many secrets and I have no idea how to even begin to unpack them.
He has no idea that I’m working against the Colton’s. Rico’s supposed to be my second in command, but I’m keeping things from him that could very well be detrimental to the family. Then again, I can’t risk him finding out that I have a son. That would be catastrophic. Which means I have to keep it all hidden, no matter how much I hate it.
“Rico, can you please just let it go?” I ask tiredly.
