Page 38 of Take It Offline

Now I have the flashy apartment, and suits more expensive than my rent was in those days. That kid with a hell-on-wheels attitude probably wouldn’t even recognize me now.

What would he think of where our life is going?

When we’re two blocks from the office, I bite the bullet. “As fun as this whole game has been, I think we need a new plan.”

“Do you.” It’s not a question.

“Look, this isn’t working.” I glance over, careful not to be distracted by the way her smooth skin glows in the morning light. “We either put our personal shit aside and get this done or spend the next six months in hell.”

I can survive hell. Been there, done that.

But I’d rather see what else is lurking underneath those long lashes and sharp claws. Make her smile for real or, fuck, make her laugh.

Maybe even be friends. Crazier things have happened.

Plus, I really want to stick it to Roberts.

Emma’s silent for another block, though when I peer over, her expression is thoughtful rather than angry. That’s a good sign.

“Let’s say I agree,” she finally says, shifting so she’s angled my direction as I pull up to a stoplight. “How do I know you aren’t going to stab me in the back again?”

“My word.”

I haven’t given her much reason to trust me, but when I make a promise, I damn well keep it.

She shoots me a look I can’t hold because the light changes, but her gaze burns into me as I accelerate. Assessing my virtue, probably. I’ve been found wanting plenty in my life, but I don’t want now to be one of those times.

“We do this together,” I say. “Equal. I care about getting this procedure right. Whatever you think about me, I know you want that just as much as I do. We have the opportunity to make changes that will make the job easier. Don’t you think that’s worth it?”

I want to make up for the Robertses of the world.

I want to earn her trust.

I want her to want me back.

But I’ll take her partnership.

As soon as the car is parked, she holds out her hand, a peace offering if ever I’ve seen one. If only she knew that peace is the last thing I have any experience with.

We shake, her hold as firm as her gaze, demanding my commitment.

And that’s how it begins.

“So. Where are we at?” I ask.

Emma’s squared us away in a meeting room as far away from Roberts’s office as we can get, and she’s now commandeering the AV system like she owns it.

Honestly, I gotta hand it to whoever made that keyboard. With the ferocious way she types when she’s really mad, I’m shocked it holds up this well.

One of the best parts of my day is the inevitable scowl she gives me when she finally catches me admiring her angry tapping.

Emma connects her laptop to the screen and opens an offline file.Ahh. So that’s where she’s been hiding it.

“Roberts just reviewed it,” she says.

I wait for more. There’s none.

“Okay,” I say, dragging out the word. “And? On a scale ofMarveltoGame of Thrones,how bloody is it?”

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