Page 14 of Heartless Sinner

“Good. Any thoughts yet on what they could want?” His tone becomes pensive.

“We think they want the blueprints for the new digital financial system Jaxon and I designed.”

His skin pales, as expected, and I know he’s thinking the same thing I did when I realized what the hacker was after. That no one should know about our new system.

The system is a cutting edge blockchain-based software that will enable us to transfer money without it being tracked and traced. It’s perfect for the backhand work we do on the underground where we need to move money around without it being scanned by the government or anyone like that who may be sniffing around to find some illegal shit on us.

At the same time, it’s also the kind of thing that will attract attention from criminal organizations in the underground who will want to use it for the same things we do. And more.

Papà sits forward and presses his fingers into the table. “How did hackers know about something that’s supposed to be top secret?”

“I’mtrying to figure that out.”

“Do you think someone here is feeding them information?”

I nod with certainty. “The trail shows the hacker was undeniably looking for the blueprints. They could only know about it and where to find it if they were told. It wasn’t a random act.”

“Who do you think it is?”

I sigh and drop my shoulders. “I don’t know yet, but I will find out. At the moment, pretty much everyone who sat at the table tonight is a suspect. I guess except you and Brahm.”

His jaw tenses. “Find out who it is, Micah. You don’t want them to be one step ahead of us and end up using our own tech against us.”

“Oh, believe me, I’ve already thought of that. I’m staying the night, and I’m hoping they take the bait.” I nod and think of my sketchy plan. Sometimes, you need something vague to get a job done. You can’t always be precise, especially when you want to catch someone who’s trying to fuck with you. “I’ve saved the files to a chip and put it in a vault in the penthouse. I’m hoping someone will try to steal it.”

Papà straightens and cocks his head. “Then what?”

“Either I catch a thief, or they lead me to them.”

“Sounds simple.”

“Too old fashioned for you?” He’s used to going in for the kill and leaving no one alive. I like that method, too, but I’ve realized that I need more answers to solve this puzzle.

The ghost of a smile appears on his lips. “Nah. I trust you know what you’re doing.”

“I’m glad you trust me withsomethings.”

“Good. I’m glad you’re glad.” He returns my sarcasm. “We’re done here. Report back as soon as you know what’s going on.”

“Of course.”

“I’d hate for it to be anyone at the table.”

“Me too.” It would mean that one of our most trusted has turned against us. At the moment, I can’t even begin to narrow down suspects because there are no loose ends. Whoever it is was overly careful not to leave a trail that led to anyone. “Hopefully, I’ll know more tomorrow.”

I stand and straighten out my jacket.

“And, Micah?”

“Yeah?”

“Remember, you have one week to find a woman you can marry. I won’t give you any more time.”

I don’t answer. Instead, I cut him a hard stare and leave.

The tension loosens from my shoulders as soon as I’m out the door and walking down the hallway.

I gaze through the glass wall to my left and take in the array of city lights. I usually like staying here, and I do so often because it feels like a home away from home. This hotel was one of the first businesses my family started when they moved here from Sicily over a hundred years ago.

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