Page 13 of Hacker Identified

"We would love for you to join us for dinner, but Zack called your order in, and it should be in his room ready for you. We're going meet our men for dinner, and later we will talk."

Kat was the first to wrap her arms around me. When I turned and Sophie hugged me next. I spotted her open laptop on the table. My stomach sank when I saw the screen. She'd hacked my home security system, and a man was inside my apartment. I was about to question her when the door to the hotel swung open, and Zane strode in along with Sam and a very tall man with a scar on his face.

Sophie released me from the hug and went to her husband's side.

"Zack's waiting for you," Sam said.

I glanced toward the laptop, but Sophie blocked my view. I worried I'd made a mistake trusting these people so much. They’d invaded my home without asking and hacked my system.

They also hadn't let me call Gibson. They claimed Sophie was a great hacker, but she hadn’t looked for the number. Instead, she'd investigated me. I snatched my purse off the table and waved as I left through the door, ready to make a run for the exit.

When the door clicked behind me, I rushed toward the elevator. My finger shook as I reached for the down arrow. The moment the door swooshed open; an arm wrapped around my waist.

Chapter4

Zack

Idowned the last sip of whiskey as I waited for Hannah. The plan we’d constructed would not be easy to sell. The ring in my pocket pressed against my thigh. One perk of unlimited funds was people jumped the moment I asked for something. Zane had called the manager of the Tiffany store located inside the hotel. Before I knew it, a man with a briefcase showed up at the door with ten options for women and three different styles for me.

Immediately I grabbed the largest diamond, but Zane talked me into a small princess-cut pink diamond ring. For myself, I choose a plain silver band.

I planned to ask her once we finished dinner and a couple of drinks. I overordered, trying to make sure I had her favorite thing to eat.

Texan cleared his throat. "Everything will work out. I think your idea is dumb, but I also understand."

"Do you believe in love at first sight?" I asked.

"I'm not sure. I think we all have one person made perfectly for us. When you find that one person, you automatically know. Years ago, I found her and loved her. Love wasn't enough for her though..." Texan pinched his brow. "When you do find that person…fight for them, and sometimes you might have to sacrifice for the person you end up with. Make sure you are able to do that before you tie yourself to someone."

"I'll think about what you said. Can you go see if she's ready? I don't want her dinner to get cold."

He nodded and slipped out the door.

Art talked with security, and they pulled up the video footage of the engagement announcement incident outside the hotel. They were able to retrieve a photo of the person who’d snatched Hannah’s phone. Neal ran the image through facial recognition software, and Edward Hanse’s name came back. Art left to pay the man a visit.

I glanced toward the door when I heard a faint scream. I jolted toward the hall knowing Texan would be pissed about me heading willingly into danger. Anger washed over me as I saw Art yank Hannah back before she could enter the elevator. Our friends had heard her yell too. They all crammed through the doorway into the small area. Everyone stared at Hannah, and her face went pale.

"Let her go," I ground out. "And all of you, give us a moment."

Art dropped his arm.

"I…" Hannah began.

"Can I have ten minutes? If you truly want to leave afterward, I won't stop you," I said.

It was only partially true. I would follow close behind her until the threat against her life was eliminated.

Her head bobbed, and I held out my hand. When she linked her fingers with mine, I let out a sigh and led her into my room. Then I slammed the door in Texan and Art’s faces. We hadn't had a moment to ourselves since the bar. I flipped the internal latch to enforce my need to be alone with her.

Hannah stiffened next to me.

"I'm keeping them out. Have a seat at the table, and I'll talk fast. You need to eat something, especially if you plan to go on the run."

"I wasn't trying to escape," she said.

Pointing out her lie wouldn't change anything. Instead, I pulled her chair from the table and lifted all the silver lids.

"Is everyone joining us?"

---