Page 38 of Indecent Demands

I sat down in front of my computer console and opened it up—and froze.

Someone had hacked into the Smirtech computer system and pulled up Damien Harcourt’s financials, specifically his cryptocurrency account.

Yeah, no prizes for guessing who had done this.

My computer had fallen asleep, but I had seen the screens as black when I’d come in earlier, so she must’ve switched it to screensaver. Ariana had to have been on the computer when I came home and had hurried to get out, unable to shut anything down.

What was she doing in Harcourt’s account? Was she trying to steal from him to skim enough money to get away? Was she trying to frame him for something?

Hmm. Looked like she hadn’t hacked in to manipulate the account, she was just on view mode. Had she run out of time? She had to know roughly when I’d be back here. She wouldn’t have left something like that until the last moment. So why would she just be looking at his transactions?

I was tempted to try and investigate further to figure out what she was doing, but why would I do that when I could just let her do the work and watch her?

I set up one of my miniature security cameras on a bookshelf, angling it so that it would see and record everything she did on these computers. I didn’t dare put anything on the computer itself or she might detect it.

Then, I got up and left the computer back on sleep mode and went to her place to get her more clothes. She would be asleep for a while, but she had to know I’d get on my computer sooner rather than later, so she’d need to move fast. As soon as she was awake enough to remember, she’d be on it.

I figured going to her apartment to get her more clothes should give her enough time. And when I got back and checked the video feed? I’d be able to figure out what she was doing.

Ariana’s apartment was shockingly bare. I knew my place was pretty basic, but it was for a reason. I had some possible paint colors up on the walls, and fabric swatches for furniture. I was just waiting for the right person to build my home with me.

Her apartment looked like she was ready to jump up and run at any moment.

There was no personalization to it. Nothing that showed me who Ariana was. The warm, funny geek who understood computers and technology so well, the hard worker with a lonely heart, the uncelebrated Robin Hood… none of that was on display here.

The furniture was all from IKEA, which was fine, but it was impersonal. Just a couch that turned into a bed, the plain wood bookshelves, the coffee table and a stand for the television. Everything seemed cold and uninviting.

No pictures on the walls. Not even an area rug. Nothing.

The only signs of life were on one shelf devoid of books. Instead there was a row of photographs featuring what looked like a young Ariana with two other people, a man and a woman. They were at Ariana’s birthday, at her graduation…

Her parents.

My heart broke for her as I surveyed the framed pictures. My own parents didn’t see me enough. I should amend that. They’d probably love Ariana instantly and want to adopt her.

Not that it mattered. They wouldn’t ever get to meet her.

I went into the closet and dresser, pulling out the essentials and putting them in a duffel bag I found on the floor of the closet. I didn’t want to pack her entire wardrobe but I also didn’t know how long this whole thing would take and I didn’t want to keep coming back here. When I finished packing, I left the sad empty apartment and went to get myself a late-night burger—just to give Ariana a bit more time in case she slept.

When I arrived back, the house was silent. I went upstairs and peeked into the sex room, and saw Ariana deeply asleep. Or at least she pretended to be.

I left the duffel bag of clothes and toiletries in the room at the foot of the bed and went back downstairs to grab the security camera.

Time to find out what she was up to.

Chapter16

Ariana

Ifell asleep practically before my head even hit the pillow. It was just so warm and cozy in the bath, and my body was absolutely exhausted. My head was in this happy fuzzy place, like my mind had been wrapped in a warm cozy blanket. I felt like I was falling asleep even while I was putting the borrowed pajamas on.

When I woke up, it was dark and I was alone.

A pang of loss hit me. I knew that there was no reason for Seth to stay, but I wished he was here, holding me. He was going out to get me clothes, though, I remembered that now. I was alone in the house.

Oh. I was alone.

The computers!

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