Page 81 of Hidden Memories

She’s changed since she was eighteen. She was beautiful then, too, but there’s something about a woman’s body after she’s carried a child.

A miracle was produced by that body. A miracle that was stolen from me.

The thought catches me off guard. I shouldn’t be thinking about this. Shouldn’t be watching the way she absentmindedly twirls her hair up into a bun, baring the delicate curve of her neck.

We sure would have made beautiful babies.

I rip my gaze away and pretend to focus on my computer screen. Because if I don’t, I’ll start thinking about what it would be like to pull her into my lap right here, right now. To let my hands roam, to feel what’s changed, what hasn’t.

This isn’t why I’m here.

Kat glances at me and offers a small wave and an even smaller smile. I return both before forcing myself to get back to work.

I need to keep my distance.

But I also need to be here.

Because Callum, Ava, Enzo, and Rio? They’re brilliant at what they do, but none of them is the right person to guide Kat through this.

Ava will have compassion. Callum is used to dealing with the public. But Enzo and Rio? They’re different. Enzo’s a genius—his GhostEye software has helped take down massive criminal operations, including the cartel that kidnapped his fiancée. But Enzo and Rio aren’t customer-facing people. They’re blunt. Direct. And they deal with law enforcement, not victims.

Kat doesn’t just need someone to decode a flash drive. She needs someone who understands what it’s like to have their world ripped out from under them.

And that sure as hell isn’t going to be Rio.

She fumbles for the words as she sits. “I know I should give these to the FBI, but… I hope you understand. If I do that, I’ll never get answers. I don’t even know if these flash drives will help at all in the investigation.” She exhales sharply. “But if there’s anything important, I want to know about it before I give them over.”

Callum nods. “I get that. We’ll have to turn them over if we find something, but you want to know what you’re dealing with first.”

“That’s it.” She digs in her purse. “They could just be nude photos of mistresses for all I know. But if not, I hope you’ll be able to tell me what I’m dealing with so I can prepare myself.”

As she hands the drives to Ava, I tense.

She doesn’t realize what she’s asking.

She doesn’t realize that if these hold something dark, something dangerous, she’s not just getting information. She’s getting certain knowledge there’s a target on her back.

Suddenly, I feel sick.

Ava plugs the first drive in, her fingers flying across the keyboard. “This will only take ten minutes or so for each one.”

Kat blinks. “That fast?”

Enzo deadpans. “If he’d chosen a Hooli drive, it might’ve taken thirty.”

Kat lets out a nervous laugh, but her shoulders are tight, her posture wary. “Remind me not to keep any secrets from you.”

I catch her eye and toss her a look that says I’m here. I’ve got you.

Ten minutes later, Enzo and Ava read the screen.

Their faces fall.

Callum leans over the monitor, expression darkening.

Rio, who hasn’t glanced up from his work once, finally does. “Spit itout.”

Callum treads carefully. “Nicholas’ activity at Pacific Dreams is under investigation?”

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