Page 7 of Hacker Identified

I reached for her hand and linked our fingers. "My only concern was you. Texan will speak with security and find out if someone on staff grabbed it or if Sophie can do a search. I think we should erase the data off the device before someone finds a way in. Sophie can also find your handler's number. All she needs is his name."

"Tray Gibson," Hannah replied. "The phone only had a few text messages, nothing else."

That piqued my interest. Even my technology-challenged father filled his phone with pictures.

Kat cleared her throat. "Sis will find his number and your phone. While she’s busy doing that, I must know whether you saw a mob boss murder someone. Or what drug operation did you do finances for?"

"I don't think she works in finance," Patty cut in. "She looks like a park ranger. Oh, I bet she helped take down an international animal smuggling ring! Kat, you better be careful. She could take you down next."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, I wasn't part of the mob, and I didn't take down any criminal operations," Hannah said.

Kat tapped her chin. "What crime did you commit to get into witness protection, then? You know, I tried to tell Zack when I left the CIA that I pissed off so many people I deserved a new identity."

"You have a million identities," I said. "Plus, a sister who can hack any database to create you another one and a bank account large enough to disappear to the far ends of the earth. Furthermore, you end up killing anyone who threatens you." I turned back to Hannah. "You don't have to tell us, but we might be able to do something to help."

Kinley tapped Hannah on the shoulder. "Aunt Kat has gators she feeds bodies to in her back yard. I bet she can find you a gator in Vegas for you to feed whoever is ever after you. When she visited us in Shialia she bought Mom and Dad lions and tigers, but Dad made us turn the animals over to the zoo. "

"Ungrateful," Kat mumbled under her breath.

Zane had only said a couple of words. He strode over to the bar area and poured a glass of wine. I figured the glass was for Sophie, but he passed his wife and offered Hannah the drink.

"Take a sip, and then tell us everything you feel comfortable with us knowing. The more information you relay, the better we can prepare for who will come after you," Zane said. "We might sound a little crazy, but we only want to help."

Jealousy washed over me at the sweet smile Hannah gave my younger brother. She lifted the glass to her lips and took a large sip. I kicked myself for not being the one to pour her a beverage, but I also didn't want to leave her side.

"My real name is Hannah Creed," she said. "My family owns Crimson Creed."

Shit. I was only around twenty when the story about Watson Creed's daughter's disappearance hit the news. A nationwide manhunt completely funded by her wealthy father had lasted weeks. The compound owned by the corporation was in Haven Ridge, the same town I grew up in. Many rumors floated around town about Crimson Creed being a cult. The women and kids never shopped in the local stores. From what I remember, Hannah went to boarding school in New York.

Approximately two months after her disappearance, a new story filled the newsstands. The feds attempted to arrest Watson Creed for a string of murders, but the judge threw out the only evidence collected with no explanation. The jury ended up being paid off, and each time the FBI tried to retry the case against him, the witnesses or the evidence disappeared.

Antonio groaned. "Why can't we ever have a straightforward serial killer to deal with? Even a mob boss."

Hannah stiffened next to me and glanced into my eyes. "Is he serious?"

"Don't mind Antonio. He knew the moment you mentioned a high-powered, but corrupt public figure, his wife would be on the case," I said.

Kat had her phone pulled out and her fingers flying across the screen. "We're going to need everyone's help on this. Asher and CJ will be tech. Babe, you're going to be the hot muscle," she paused and tapped her finger on her chin. "This would be a perfect time for us to break out the new crime-fighting outfits I bought, but they're at home. I never thought we would find such a cool case in Vegas. Don't get me wrong, part of me thought someone would go to jail this weekend..."

The group had a betting pool on who would end up in jail. Almost everyone placed a bet on Kat. I had mine on Sophie, because she seemed to be the wild card. Patty would use her diplomatic immunity to escape any crime.

"I don't have words for what you guys are offering, but I can't accept your help. You barely know me, and I sure as hell can't afford to hire you," Hannah said, her voice wavering at the end.

I squeezed her hand. "Don't think about what any of these services might cost. Every person in here will assist you and not ask for anything in return."

"That's not exactly true," Kat interjected. "I expect a friendship out of this, and a tiny stipulation on our friend pact—what we do together stays between us."

Sophie stopped typing, and her head shot up. "Kat, you can't ever keep a secret, so there is no point in adding the stipulation. Hannah, the moment Zack brought you into our world, you became one of us. I've begun my investigation into your father. His dealings look clean and shiny on the outside, but the outer shell holding his perfect company image together is barely intact. I'm sure we can take your father down in no time."

"He has friends in high places," Hannah said.

I raised a brow in her direction. "I guarantee I have more people who owe me favors and will help me in an instant."

A single tear slid down her cheek, and I wiped it away with my thumb before it rolled off her chin. "I'm a man of my word, and for the next six months, you and I are going to be like glue on each other. Let's take her father down."

"Is the five-million-dollar reward for you, because he wants you dead or back in his house?" Sophie asked.

"Dead," Hannah replied.

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