Page 9 of Misunderstood Hacker

“The video feed is being watched from Patty and Jessica’s guest suite at the Hotel Lebleu.” Neal pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a sigh. “I tried pulling up the video feed for the hotel suite, but the cameras are all pointed at the ceiling.”

I had sent Sam a text that I needed to meet with everyone in the war room. “We’ll set up a plan once we get to the office, and we’ll send someone to the hotel suite to take a look around and change the locks. Do you have administrative access to Patty’s entire home security system?”

“Yes.”

“Did you check the program to make sure none of the other properties have damage?”

Jessica walked out in a pair of low-cut jeans and a T-shirt that said “I Love Double Entry.” I had to read the shirt a couple times. There was no fucking way she would wear that shirt to meet with my team. “Go change your shirt before we leave.”

My demand made Neal look up from Jessica’s computer. He lost it laughing when he read her shirt.

Jessica put her hands on her hips. “You can’t tell me what to wear. What is wrong with my shirt? This is my favorite accounting shirt.”

“That shirt has nothing to do with accounting and everything to do with double penetration,” I insisted. Neal was still losing his shit at the table. Jessica looked stunned, like she had never considered her shirtto be perverted.“How often are you hit on when you wear that shirt in public?”

“Give me a second while I go change.” Jessica sprinted to her bedroom.

“That was the funniest shit I have ever seen.” Like Neal needed to say he thought her shirt was funny. His laughing and snorting made it clear.

When Jessica came back, she was in a plain black shirt, and her blond hair was up in a ponytail. “I’m ready to go. Have you guys called Sam and Patty yet?”

“Yes, we called Sam. He wants us to keep it from Patty for the moment,” I explained to Jessica as we walked toward the elevator. “Neal, did you reset the alarm panel and the code?”

He shook his head no, and we headed down to the garage to grab our cars. It was a short ride over to the Blackwood Security offices. On the way over, I wondered what Jessica would think of my apartment. Her penthouse was beautifully decorated, but I had only the essentials. I spent most of my time in my office or at the club and never took the time to make my apartment home. Until now, I never cared what others thought of it, but for some reason, I wanted Jessica to like it.

“You can leave me at Sam’s, and I will head to the hotel suite once they figure out what is going on,” Jessica said in a low tone.

The thought of Jessica trying to dismiss me sent my anger to a high level. I didn’t understand why she wouldn’t want me to protect her. “Let’s make one thing clear. You will stay with me.”

“Okay.”

“That’s it? Okay? I’ve been with you for the last few months as your bodyguard. What gave you the impression you wouldn’t be staying with me?”

In the seat next to me, I could see her shifting in her chair and playing with her purse strings. “You’ve seemed irritated with me since we’ve been in the car. I was thinking you might be sick of watching me, and I was giving you an out,” Jessica whispered. It sounded like she was on the verge of tears.

I grabbed Jessica’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Jessica, I’m not upset with you, nor do I want to stop protecting you. I was just deep in thought about the whole situation.”

We settled into a comfortable silence the rest of the way to the office.

The parking lot at Club Sanctorum was overflowing. It was Friday night, so most of the cars belonged to the club members. The club was downstairs, but we were going upstairs.

John was standing at the entrance to the building. We had been in the same Navy Seal unit when we were in the military. John’s nickname was “Tiny.” He was known for his specialty in demolition. He was six feet seven inches, pure muscle, and had a jagged scar down the side of his face. From looking at him, nobody would think he could deal carefully with bombs.

John’s face lit up when he saw Jessica. It made me want to delete his digital existence since there was no way I could beat him in a one-on-one fight. He reached out and dragged Jessica in for a hug. “We will find out who’s behind this. Stick with Brock. He’s one of the good guys.”

“You’re right. He is a good guy. I’ll let him take care of me.”

We walked in. Since it was after hours and the club was open, Mia was working the front desk. “Mia, can you have one of the other subs come up and watch the reception desk? I need everyone in the war room.” Mia bobbed her head and picked up the phone to ask one of the dungeon monitors to send someone up. Mia was wearingfetwear—a black PVC dress and tall stiletto heels.

Mia responded before Jessica and I made it to the stairs. “I’ll be up in ten.”

I could feel Jessica grow tense beside me as we walked up the stairs. I grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into my side. “Everything will be okay.” I wasn’t quite sure if I was reassuring Jessica or myself.

She let out a sigh and leaned in closer.“Did you know that eighty-five percent of stalking victims are stalked by someone they know? Of all the people I know, none of them would terrorize me. I can’t think of a single person I know who would do this to me. I keep running every person I know through my head, trying to figure out who’s behind this. What happens if it’s the people that kidnapped me before?”

The thought of those men kidnapping Jessica again sent chills through my bones.

When we finally made it to the meeting room, I sat in the chair with access to all my computer equipment. Nealwas sittingin the chair next to me. I pulled Jessica into my lap, wanting my arms around her. I reached over and facetimed Sam into the meeting. With Sam being away, I was in charge of Blackwood Security.

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