“How did Sydney take the news?”
“She was a little upset. Her father is very controlling, and she thought I was sending her back to him.”
He looks up from the screen. “She lived with her father?”
“Yep. He essentially had her in chains. I’m helping to set her free.” I’m paying her the prenup settlement so she can get her own place and keep working at the gallery. Or go traveling like she originally planned or do whatever the fuck she wants with her life.
He chews on the corner of his mouth. “You have feelings for her.”
I rise and walk to his side, placing my hands on his shoulders. “Not the kind you’re thinking. She’s a nice woman who’s been dealt a shitty hand in life. I care about her enough to ensure she doesn’t return to her prison. But if it’s an issue for you, I’ll completely wash my hands of her.”
“It’s nothing to do with me, Hunt.” He shucks out of my hold.
“It is and it isn’t.” I shove my hands into my pockets, breathing heavily. “I’m giving you space because I know you need it. But I meant what I said. I love you, and I’m here for you. Whatever you need, it’s yours.”
“I’ve got something!” Charlie shouts from outside, effectively ending our conversation. But Xavier heard me.
We race outside, finding Drew, Anderson, and Lauder poured over Charlie’s screen.
“What have you found?” I ask.
“The Cayman Islands account and a secret account of Denton’s with the same bank. The sum of both accounts is only about half of what was stolen, but it should help.”
“Damn straight.” I slap Charlie on the back.
“Send the intel through to me and Hunt,” Xavier says.
I rub my hands in glee. “It’s time to clean out some bank accounts.”
“Champagne?” I quirk a brow later that night when Van hands me a flute as we lounge around Anderson’s backyard. The scent of grilled meat wafts through the air, and my stomach rumbles in appreciative anticipation. It’s been an exhausting few days and it’s good to just kick back.
“We’re celebrating,” she says, ruffling my hair.
I narrow my eyes at her.
“Knock that shit off, Hunt,” Lauder growls.
I swear his eyes are glued to his wife, like he can’t bear not to look at her every second of every minute of every hour. “You’re as bad as Anderson these days.”
“I heard that, dickhead.” Anderson flips me the bird from his position at the massive outdoor grill.
“You were meant to,” I call out before taking a mouthful of my drink.
“It’s great we’ve cracked the Techxet problem,” Drew says. “But celebration is a little optimistic. We still have Hamilton to deal with, and that’ll be infinitely trickier.”
“We have the recording. Maybe we should use that,” I muse in between mouthfuls of champagne. That wouldn’t be breaking the terms of my father’s agreement with the elite. Though they aren’t exactly honorable.
“It’s not enough,” Anderson says, coming over to the table and snatching his beer. “He’ll weasel his way out of that. We need more.”
“I wish we could use the intel my dad has, but it’s too dangerous,” I say. “We need to find something that implicates Hamilton on his own.”
“I agree,” Drew says. “He’s playing a long game, and we’re playing catch-up. I think we’ve taken our eye off the ball too much these past few months and we need to up the ante.”
“The problem is finding the right dirt to bury him in,” Lauder says, swatting Van on the ass as she moves past him to keep an eye on the grill.
“Let’s put this one fully to bed and then turn our sights to Hamilton,” I suggest.
“What did your dad say?” Charlie asks me, resting his chin on Demi’s shoulder. She’s perched in his lap, looking content, with her arms draped around her fiancé. It still freaks me out how much she looks like her cousin Abby. If Anderson is still weirded out by it, he hasn’t said anything to me.
“He’s on board. He wants you to set up a meeting for early next week.” I called Dad, to relay the good news, just before we left the warehouse to come here.
“Sweet.” Charlie nods, and I know it’s a major coup for him to land Techxet as a new client. It’s a win-win for both sides.
“Did you talk to him about the other stuff?” Xavier asks.
“Yes. He’s over the fucking moon.” I don’t mention how he tore into me for going after the elite when he specifically told me not to. He calmed down quickly though. It turns out Herman was refusing to adhere to his side of the agreement because he got wind of the security breach and he wouldn’t invest until he had assurances his company and his investment would be safe. Although we haven’t recovered all of Dad’s money, depositing a large chunk considerably cheered him up, and he forgot his anger.
Xavier and I had spent the rest of the afternoon hacking into the Cayman Islands bank and figuring out how to move the money without detection. It was as easy as breathing in the end because their systems are shockingly lacking for a financial institute of their size.
“Earth to Space Cadet Hunt.” Xavier flicks his fingers in my face. “You zoned out.”
“I was just thinking.” I absently thread my hands through my hair. “Dad wants us to attend a special session of the board meeting on Monday to present our report for the next steps. And he wants us to brief the CTO over the weekend.”
“Sawyer!” Abby shouts out through the window. “Get your bodacious ass in here.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I get up, my thigh brushing Xavier’s in the process, sending a jolt of heat through my skin. Bending down, I press my mouth to his ear. “Can I get you anything from inside?” I deliberately lower my tone, using a husky voice I know he loves.
A subtle shiver works its way through him, and I smile. He waves his tall glass of cider in my face. “I’m good. Go help my bestie.”
“What’s up?” I ask Abby when I step into the kitchen. Shandra smiles at me as she exits the room, heading outside.
“Help me with the salad.” Abby hands me a knife and a large bowl filled with tomatoes. “Chop these.”
“Do you boss Anderson like this?” I ask as I wash my hands in the sink.
“Everywhere but the bedroom.” She grins as she slices a red onion into thin rings.
“Was there a reason you dragged me inside besides my stellar skills with a knife?” I ask as I start slicing tomatoes.
“I want to know what your intentions are toward Xavier.”
Direct and to the point. It’s one of the things I love about Abby. That and her loyalty to my man. “You’re a good friend to him, Abby. I’m glad he has you. Especially now.”
“He’s been there for me more times than I can count, and you haven’t answered my question.”
I don’t hesitate or falter with my reply. “I love him, and I want to be with him.” She sets her knife down on the chopping board, scrutinizing my face. “I’m telling the truth.”