Page 6 of Hacker Identified

"I'm trying to make a point, honey. Information like Zack released to the masses needs to be handled delicately," Patty said.

Kinley looked up at her mother with the sweetest smile. "Like when you announced to the reporter at the grocery store about my little brother before you told me?"

Sam coughed to cover up his laugh. "Kinley, your mommy's trying to help."

Hannah ran her hand through her curly hair. "Is this a dream?"

Patty leaned forward and pinched Hannah's bicep.

"Ouch," Hannah yelled. "What was that for?"

Patty shrugged her shoulders. "You asked if you were dreaming. I proved you aren't asleep. You are correct, though. I'm the queen of Shialia, but behind closed doors and around friends, I'm Patty. I don't like all the formal shit."

"Mommy said a bad word. That's a hundred dollars."

"Remind me when we get home. Now, back to introductions, because I'm sure Zack didn't do that. The hot man leaning against the fireplace is my husband, Sam. The two intertwined on the chair are Kat and Antonio. The woman at the table on her computer is Kat’s sister, Sophie. We can't forget about Zane, her husband—and Zack's brother," Patty said.

"You forgot me, mommy," Kinley announced.

"I saved the best for last. The little princess on the couch next to you is our daughter Kinley. Our friend Daisy and her two husbands are watching the other kids," Patty finished.

Zane hadn't said a word, only stared at me with the same disappointed look I'd gotten from him since we were kids. He always acted like the older brother even though he wasn't.

"I love that you guys all ran in here, but I think Hannah and I need a moment to sort through everything," I said.

Hannah sighed. "No, you need to call off the engagement, and I need to leave town. This is so bad."

She started to hyperventilate, and her body shook on my lap. Kinley reached over and grabbed Hannah's hands.

"Breathe," Kinley said. "Deep breaths help when I have panic attacks. Did someone kidnap you as well? That's what causes mine. I also don't like when people I never met touch me," Kinley said.

Hannah pushed off my lap, and her body swayed for a moment. "I was never taken, but I have a trigger for panic attacks. Thank you for getting me away from the cameras, but I need to leave. If you hand me my phone, I'll be on my way. Marshal is going to be furious when he views the story online."

My stomach dropped at the sound of another man's name. "You have a boyfriend?" I growled. "How could you agree to the contract?"

Hannah narrowed her eyes at me. "Boyfriend? When did I ever say I was in a relationship, besides the one I signed with you?"

"You said Marshal will be mad. Who is he?" I asked.

She laughed so hard she had tears running down her face. When she composed herself, she answered me. "Damn, he would think this is funny. Not the outing me to the media, but the relationship part. Marshal as in the United States marshal assigned to me."

Zane let out a long whistle. "You fucked up, brother."

I flipped him off, not taking my eyes off Hannah.

Kat bounced on Antonio's lap and clapped her hands. "This is getting good. Why are you in witness protection? Also, for the record, I retired from the CIA. Same with Zane. Antonio and Sam are former military, and Sophie's a spy. We understand how most of the process works."

"You all seem nice, but this is a lot to take in. I'm not dragging you into my problem. And you..." Hannah pointed at me.

"We made an agreement, and I still plan to hold up my side of the deal. Do you want out now?" I held my breath and hoped she didn't say yes.

"I don't understand why," she replied.

The woman was stunning.

I ignored her question. "What is your marshal's number? Let's tell him you are okay."

Hannah plopped back down on the couch next to me. "His number? It's the twenty-first century. How would I know it by heart? It's why I asked for my cell phone. Please tell me someone grabbed it from the ground?" Art walked over and handed Hannah her purse. She glanced into her bag and then back to Art. "My iPhone slipped out when that man shoved me."

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