“No,” I say, my voice firmer than I intended. I take a deep breath, softening my tone. “I promise, Gran. I’m fine. Just a lot on my plate right now.”
She sighs, and I can hear the worry in the exhale. “All right, dear. But if you need anything—anything at all—you call me. Promise?”
“Of course,” I say, my throat tightening. I can’t tell her the truth. I can’t even admit it to myself.
Because the truth is I’m no longer afraid of Maxim. I’m afraid I might be falling for him.
28
SOPHIE
Two days later…
The countdown timer blinks in the corner, its relentless march forward mocking me. Twenty-six days, ten hours, twenty-three minutes.
I stare at the encryption layers, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. The work Evan has done is frustratingly good. Too good for his skill set.
He didn’t do it alone. That’s for sure. Every move I make feels like tripping another alarm in some labyrinthine trap. It’s like someone’s watching me work, laying traps when they see what direction I’m moving in.
I need help.
I grab my phone and scroll through my contacts, my finger hesitating over a familiar name: Dr. Meredith Park. If anyone can help me crack this thing, it’s her.
The line rings twice before she picks up, her no-nonsense voice cutting through the silence. “Sophie? How’s my favorite student?”
“Hi, Dr. Park,” I say, sitting back in my chair. “I bet you say that to all your graduates.”
“Yeah, but I mean it with you. Brighter than anyone I’ve ever taught.”
“Pushing for donations to your retirement fund, is that it?”
She laughs. “What can I do for you?”
“I’ve hit a wall on a project, and I could really use your insight.”
“What kind of project?”
“It’s complicated,” I admit. “High-level encryption, constantly shifting parameters. I’m dealing with layers of security that feel sentient.” I give her a couple of details. “What can I do to stop it shifting as I work?” I say when I’m done explaining.
“Shifting?” she repeats, her tone sharp with curiosity. “Have you thought that someone might be interfering with your work. Have you checked for access points to your set up?”
The words hit me like a brick. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
“Because it’s rare to find it done well,” she says. “If the parameters keep shifting that way, it means you’re dealing with someone who doesn’t want you to succeed.”
My stomach twists as I process her words. The idea shouldn’t surprise me—after all, I’m living in a house full of criminals. But the thought that someone within Maxim’s circle is working against him… that’s dangerous. Not just for me, but for everyone.
“Any advice on how to approach it?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Get ahead of them,” she says. “Isolate the source of the interference, then you’ll have an edge. Could trace it back to the originating IP if they’re sloppy. But Sophie, if you’re in a position where this kind of sabotage is happening, what are you reallyworking on? This isn’t some run of the mill stuff, is it? Is this legal?”
The door opens and Maxim is standing there. “I better go,” I say into the cellphone before turning to face him.
He strolls in, a huge bag slung over his shoulder. He dumps it on the chair next to me and nods. “Your package arrived.”
“Package?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.
He gestures toward the bag, his expression unreadable. “Open it.”