Page 36 of Hacker Betrayed

“Is that a good idea?” I asked. “I love you, Kat, but you get into a lot of trouble already.”

Patty nodded. “I agree with Mia. Not once did I agree to give you the code. It’s not a simple button, and Brock has the password to the system change every third day, so I must constantly crack the code.”

My brother shook his head. “You ladies are too much. I need to go speak to someone.”

Donovan walked into the backyard with a man on each side. He glanced in my direction but didn’t acknowledge me.

“This event is so much better than Antonio’s family gatherings. The ones he forces me to attend are all businessmen and trophy wives. Here, I’ve already found three people I deal with, one being Luigi. He’s been dodging my calls.” Kat was staring at an older man with a cane.

“Please don’t kill anyone until after the party.”

Kat’s head whipped to the side. “Kill? Why would I kill the man who supplies my acid? No, he increased his prices a month ago. I wanted to discuss a bulk discount, but he won’t return my calls, and his assistant keeps blowing me off.”

On the way over to my parents’ house, Paxton and I agreed to only stay for two hours, max. With Kat and Patty here, I wasn’t sure when we would leave because there was no chance in hell I would let them stay here without supervision.

My eyes roamed over the crowd and caught Donovan and Paxton in a deep conversation. I wanted to know what the conversation was about, but Patty’s statement pulled me back to the conversation.

“Of course, I can hack his phone, but only if you give me a lesson on disposing of a body using acid. I’ve asked Sam a million times, and he says no. The man doesn’t understand I want a reputation as a ruthless queen. How is it possible for me to look evil when the medieval dungeon in my castle was turned into a BDSM club for staff? I need my people to fear me.”

“I don’t think acid is the way to go,” Kat mused, tapping her chin. “Why not use the tiger I bought you? I’m sure if you let him run around the grounds, people would stay away.”

Patty nodded. “It’s a great idea, in theory.” She held up her phone with her daughter snuggled up next to a giant tiger. “My sweet daughter and her father hired an animal tamer. The six-hundred-pound ball of fur now only wants his belly scratched.”

“I can buy you another one,” Kat shot back. “I found a guy who can supply me with as many man-eating animals as I want. When Sophie found his information on the dark web, I originally planned to kill him and release the animals. Except his facilities were amazing, and he took great care of the animals. And anyone who wants one must go through an intensive background screening. I offered up Antonio’s staff to him, so I get a discount.”

“I might take you up on the offer. But I still want to learn more about acid,” Patty pouted.

A muscular arm wrapped around my stomach and pulled me back. “Kat, good to see you. And I assume you are Patty, except you look different from what I remember on the phone a month prior.”

Patty lowered her sunglasses and winked. “Nice to meet the man who captured Mia. Just remember, she has a slew of women who will kill for her.”

Kat linked her arm with Patty’s. “Patty and I have some business to take care of, and get back home before the men figure out she changed our location.” The two women walked away.

“Should I tell her Antonio just walked through the door?” The six foot five mercenary stood with pink paint down his shirt and a baby on his hip. Next to him was Sam, who held his daughter’s hand. He also had a couple speckles of paint on his shirt. The young girl’s hair sparkled pink in the sunlight.

“It will be more entertaining if he walks up and hears her cutting a deal for a barrel of acid.”

“I’m not sure if you’re serious or joking,” Paxton replied. “I’ve already caught Quinton making a deal to buy medical supplies.”

Part of me wondered if my parents threw the party as a way for the criminals to do business. “With this guest list, I’m not sure there isn’t a single thing off the table.”

“Is that so? There is only one thing I want at this party.” He lowered his lips, and the chatter of the crowd faded around us as his arms pulled me closer. A throat cleared next to us, and I didn’t want to pull away, but Paxton didn’t give me a choice.

Quinton stood at our side. “Hey, love birds. You should really talk to these people. I think I gained a few more donors for the clinic.”

I closed my eyes and prayed he didn’t shake on anything. “Quinton, you realize they are all part of the mafia. Any money they slip you, they will expect a return in free medical care if one of them gets shot.”

A devilish smile spread across his face. “One step ahead of you. Antonio agreed to keep security at my place, so I’ll bandage the criminals up, and he will take them into custody or whatever he plans to do. I heard his wife trying to buy acid, so not sure what they have planned.”

I caught a glimpse of Ashlyn as she stepped into the house. “I’ll be right back.” I didn’t wait for Paxton to respond before I turned toward the house and made my way through the crowd of people.

Ashlyn and Lydia spoke for a second before she slipped around the corner. When I stepped into the room, Ashlyn shoved a small vial back into her purse. “Are you following me?”

“I came to talk to you.” I sat down on the white sofa. “Why are you so angry at me?”

She tapped her finger on the glass in her hand before she took the seat across from me. “Lydia wanted me to bring this to you.” She placed the drink on the table. “I stepped in here to make a quick call. My business keeps me busy.”

Ashlyn’s designs were elegant and classic at the same time. “I love the new pink strapless dress you debuted at fashion week this year.”

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