Page 24 of Sypher

“What?”

“How much will it take to hire you and your team to get me the information I need?”

Shaking his head, Ace groaned, running his hands down his face. “It doesn’t matter. We’re contractually obligated to the Trick Pony for the next five years.”

“Ten thousand? Twenty? Give me a number, Ace.”

The sound of Law’s gruff voice barking, “Two mil,” sliced through the stillness, making Ace’s head shoot up.

“What the hell are you doing, Law? We can’t!”

“The fuck I can’t. I never liked that motherfucker, anyway. We all know what goes on in that fucked-up place. If your little brother wants to pay us more, then the contract shifts, and we get to clear our consciences.”

Typing into my phone, I muttered, “Wire transfer or certified check?”

“Jesus Christ,” Ace groaned. “You don’t have that kind of money, Danny. Not even the club has those kinds of funds.”

Grinning, I looked up at my big brother. “You really should have checked in on me more, big brother, because I’ve got that and a lot more.”

A chuckle escaped Law’s lips as he shook his head, a wry smile playing on his face.

“You can’t sign a contract with Harbor Security without Reaper’s permission.”

“I’m not a patched brother, yet.”

“What about Bailey and Charlie? What would they say?”

“They would stand beside me, and you fucking know it. What’s going on here, Ace? Why are you so resistant to this?”

“Tell him, Ace,” Law ordered.

“Tell me what?” I asked as I looked up at my big brother.

“It’s your program.”

Slowly getting to my feet, my heart pounded a frantic rhythm against my ribs, as a deep growl rumbled from deep in my chest. “What is?”

“I used your security algorithm program.”

“YOU HACKED ME?!”

Son of a bitch!

Utterly disgusted and completely unable to believe what I had just heard, I sat there, my head shaking from side to side while I struggled to make sense of the shocking information. Despite all we’d endured together, the countless memories forged in hardship and joy, the betrayal by my brother felt like a physical blow, a shattering of everything I thought I knew.

“Let me explain, Danny.”

“Fuck you!” I spun, shouting a furious accusation at him. My breath hitched in my chest. “What the hell was your game? Fuck me over until I acquiesced to your demands? No, wait. The fucking government sent you to recruit me, didn’t they? Is that it? Use my own program to blackmail me so I would do what they fucking want? Fuck! I’m so stupid. I should have fucking known.”

“It wasn’t like that, Danny. I swear. I never meant for you to find out.” He took a slow, hesitant step toward me, his words measured and cautious.

“So that makes it better?!” I roared. “Stay the fuck away from me. My God. Do you know what Reaper will do if he finds out? Or Montana, for that matter. You’re dead. They won’t think twice before killing you or me!”

“Danny, please let me explain.”

“No. There is nothing you can say to make this right. You’re a fucking liar and a thief. That’s all I need to know. Fuck, I’m so fucking stupid!”

“Stop saying that. You’re not stupid.”

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