Page 98 of Heartless Sinner

We move toward the elevator and head to the next floor where my office is based.

It’s late, so there’s no one around but us. Once we’re inside, I set my things down and grab a bottle of whiskey and vodka. I need a drink, too—something strong.

Brahm gets the glasses and when we sit, I pour us each a drink of whiskey.

We each take a big gulp before setting the glasses down, gearing up to talk. As I look at him, I think of what my father told me about his. Could Mario really have been involved in his family’s murder?

His wife, daughter, and mother-in-law. The fact that I wouldn’t be surprised means something.

“So, what’s going on?” I ask, still looking him over. “You look like you have the weight of the universe pulling you under.”

“That bad?”

“Yeah. Don’t tell me you feel bad you haven’t gotten back to me yet.”

He’s silent for a moment then takes another swig of his drink. “I don’t feel bad for many things. In fact, I don’t feel anything these days. But I do feel bad about that. Can you give me some more time to consider it?”

“As if I’d say no. Of course, I can give you more time.” I’m just happy he’s still considering it.

“Thanks. I know we’re still working on the hacker situation and nothing has happened so far, but nothing has happened for me, either, with my investigation in Boston. It’s frustrating as hell.”

“I can imagine. What are you going to do?”

“I think I may have to head out to Boston sooner rather than later.”

“Do what you need to do and remember you have my help. Just say when.”

He grins back at me. “I appreciate that. It’s funny how my cousin would run to my aid, yet my own father wants nothing to do with it.”

I widen my eyes. “He wants nothing to do with it?”

“Nope. He thinks I’m wrong and that the Enclave weren’t involved. He doesn’t want to piss them off.”

“That makes no sense. Doesn’t he want to find out what happened?”

His jaw clenches. “So he says.”

His answer makes me think he may share the same thoughts as my father.

“It’s cool. I’ll figure it out, and I don’t care who I piss off. Especially him. He better pray he’s not involved.”

My breath stills and we stare at each other for a moment of silence until Brahm takes another swig of his drink.

At that moment, my phone beeps. At first, I think it’s a message, but when Brahm’s phone makes the same noise, I realize it’s another security alert. This one is linked to the system Jaxon set up, but it does so much more than tell me if someone is trying to access the file. This alert tells me they’re here and actively trying to steal the blueprints.

“Fuck, the hackers are in the building,” I seethe, grabbing my phone.

We set an old-fashioned trap in case this happened.

Brahm pulls out his phone, too, and we both access the footage to the vault. Sure enough, there’s someone inside. They’re wearing full black with a balaclava over their head, heading straight to the vault.

“Do you want to trap him or should I?” Brahm gives me a maddening smile.

“I’ll do it, then we can question his ass.”

All I have to do is press a button on the phone to activate the trap. I do, so the moment our thief walks up to the vault, a metalcage drops from the ceiling over him and traps him like a wild animal.

The fool tries to escape, but that’s not going to happen tonight.

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