Page 28 of Hacker Unknown

Before I could even answer Kayleen, Callie, and Jasmin stepped over to the side leaving me alone with Sawyer.

“Thank you for covering for me.”

I took a step back, putting space between us. “I plan to tell Paolo who you are. Plus, I already told AA Security your name.”

“My name being tied to you in reference to Denson is okay. What I don’t want is the username I gave you in regard to the game linked to me. Did you tell them my game name?”

“No.” I didn’t remember.

“Good. I need to go back in the room to take Paolo to see the security protocols for the island. I need to tell you more. Later tonight I need you to meet me near the open firepit. I will explain everything. But understand what I will tell you can’t even be shared with Paolo.”

Sawyer didn’t give me time to respond before he turned and disappeared back through the doors to the hall, leading to the placed we’d had just eaten dinner in.

Kayleen walked over and wrapped her hand around my arm. “Is everything okay?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. That man wants me to trust him, and I am not sure I should.”

Soft music pumped through the speakers of the lounge. Three couples sat along the bar area. Kayleen led us to the back corner, and we sat around a round table. Sasha sat to my right and Kayleen to my left. Jasmin and Callie were up at the counter talking to the bartender.

“Jared asked me to go over the rules with you and explain anything you needed to know … in case Paolo and you wanted to utilize the club.” Kayleen shifted in her seat and adjusted her top. “So, if you plan to play there is a two-drink max.”

Paolo had already mentioned that to me. Technically, he was my bodyguard and playing should not be an option, but I wanted him. My entire body had been on edge since we’d left the room and his hand during dinner didn’t help either.

“I don’t plan to drink, but I am unsure if we will be playing,” I admitted with a sigh.

Jasmin and Callie walked over and set five glasses of water on the table, before taking the last two open seats.

“Are you and Paolo dating?” Jasmin asked.

The entire reason the meeting about the game moved from Houston to the island was because of me. I couldn’t lie and say we were together. “Paolo is my bodyguard.”

Callie took a sip from her glass of water. “If you don’t mind me asking. Why do you need a bodyguard?”

From the conversation during dinner it was easy to tell Callie, Thomas, and Sawyer all had a secret. I wasn’t sure how I should answer her question. We’d never gone over a back story for why I needed a bodyguard.

“Before I answer your question. I am curious why you lied to Paolo back in the room. It was obvious that you know who the person is that he was looking for.”

“What Paolo is asking for could put a lot of people in danger,” Callie said. “Assassin Annihilation is more than a game and if the government got a hold of information we have, it could be bad.”

Sasha leaned back and crossed her arms. “Then why lie Callie. Why didn’t you just tell him that or why the hell did we even come here for this meeting?”

Callie ran her hand over her face. “Thomas and Master B wanted to know what information AA Security already had. It wasn’t a conversation they could have over the phone. The CIA or FBI has been watching us for a while. It was clear from the photo taken of us together at Sasha’s house. We needed answers.”

“So, you got what you wanted and had no plan of helping Paolo,” I said.

She shrugged. “I know it is hard to ask this of someone you just met, but I need you to trust me. What we are doing is bigger than anything you can imagine. This wasn’t a plan to cross anyone. None of us are harming anyone and the project we are protecting is way bigger than you could imagine.”

“Trust?” I asked. “That is hard to do when you are working with Sawyer.”

“He doesn’t go by that name here,” Jasmin cut in. “How do you know his name? Did you date in the past?”

“No. Honestly, I think it is best I head back to the room. You can ask him how we know each other yourself.” I stood up and Sasha rose next to me.

She placed her hand on my wrist. “I’m going to come with you.”

“Please stay and maybe we can talk this all out when the guys come back,” Callie suggested, standing as well. “What is going on isn’t my place to talk about it. Can we ignore all of that and get to know each other?”

“I need some time to think.”

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