Page 39 of Hacker Identified

Hannah glanced at me and back to her father. "He's not the President anymore. So how the hell do you expect him to pull off your request?"

"The Tucker family has the same amount of pull as when Zack was in office," Watson said.

I leaned forward. "I want you to give my brother's men access to your land…specifically where Hannah thinks her sister's body is before I make any calls. Then, when I have everything in motion, you give me Ash's location and have the bounty removed. But the search happens today."

"It's a waste of time, but if it makes you feel like some hero to my daughter, I’ll allow it. For good measure, I'll even give you Ash's location now," he pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and held it out.

"You have another angle," Hannah said. "You're going to give up Ash now and let people search your land all for a pardon. No one’s ever convicted you of a crime."

"My reasons are none of your business. Do we have a deal, or will we return to this game of cat and mouse, because I will win," he declared.

"I'll start the process once my brother searches your property. If that is all you wanted, you can leave."

Watson's eyes flickered to Hannah, and his shoulders slightly slumped. "I'm serious about Hazel. I know you think I had her killed, but I didn't. I might not have shown you two how much I loved you, but you were still my daughters."

Hannah threw her hands up in the air. "You didn't care about us. What kind of father slices his daughter's face and leaves her tied to a chair."

"I can't go back and change the past." Watson stood. "Once the pardon is complete, I wish you nothing but a happy future Hannah."

"If you gave two shits about me, you wouldn't keep a bounty over my head until Zack gets you what you want."

"I'm trying to change." He turned and walked toward the door. Antonio and Zane followed. I knew my brother would take care of what needed to be done. Earlier Hannah had pointed out where she thought her sister's body was on a map. Last week we'd seen ten dump trucks head to the Creed compound. Her sister's body was gone, but the chance to search would allow Kat to plant some bugs and Sophie a way to hack Creed’s internal network.

I didn't lie. I planned to negotiate for his pardon, but I would leave something out of the contract to make sure once Hannah was safe, we could still put him away forever.

"Come here," I said. "Sit on my lap. I need to hold you."

She glanced toward the open door before she curled up on my lap. "I don't trust him. He's planning something."

"I have a plan as well." I placed a kiss on her scar. "I'll have to call in a lot of favors, but your father won't get what he wants."

"We have no reason to get married anymore."

I nuzzled her neck. "So, you no longer want to keep the contract we had between each other and see where this goes. I like you, Hannah, and want to spend more time together."

"The contract was for an engagement. We don't have to get married."

After I orchestrated Watson's request, Hannah's life would be clear of danger, but if she stayed with me, she would always be in danger. "I like you and want to see where our relationship can go. Being with me adds risk, which was proven in how Ash came after me and you were in the crosshairs. I think we should still get married. I understand if my life is more than you want. If you want to walk away from me, I won't stop you."

"I'm worried I will lose a part of me when this doesn't work out. We haven't known each other very long, and you're risking so much for me."

"Life is filled with paths. You can always take the safe route," I whispered in her ear. "But I don't want to take the paved road. Instead, I'll walk through fire for you."

"Okay."

She chose me. I wanted to throw her over my shoulder and take her back to my room, but I knew we had to head to the dining room and figure out the new game plan.

"I'll protect you," I promised. "I have some calls to make to get your dad's pardon in order, and you haven't eaten anything yet."

"I still don't like that you are going to give him a pardon."

I leaned my head against hers. "For now. But I also figured out a way for Sophie to access the compound. I'll make sure your dad pays for everything he did, and I vow to turn every rock over until we find information on your sister."

"Thank you!"

"You don't have to thank me for helping you. Our relationship started in a strange way, but I'll do everything in my power to protect you. Now let's get you some food."

Hannah climbed off my lap and headed toward the kitchen. Kat and Patty were making breakfast. I placed a kiss on Hannah's lips before I left her with them to find my brother. He was hunched over the dining room table, drawing on a map.

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