Page 23 of Beautifully Broken Control

Liam rubbed a hand over his jaw. “Think you’d be willing to draw something up for me? I’m looking at property around here, and security is a big concern.”

Tuck snorted. “You’ve been looking for the past year, and nothing meets your standards. You’ll be living in Walker’s guest cabin until you and Tessa are old and gray.”

Liam’s eyes narrowed on Tuck. “It just so happens, I think I found the perfect spot.”

Walker’s eyes widened. “Really? That’s amazing.”

“Don’t say anything yet. Tessa doesn’t know. I’m waiting to make sure nothing falls through with the sale. I was going to surprise her before we have to head back out on tour next week.”

Walker slapped Liam on the back. “Pleased for you, man.”

I was always a bit cautious of newcomers in my circle, but I got a good vibe from Liam right off. “I’d be happy to look at property specs and consult with whoever you use for a system install.”

“Thanks, man. Gotta do whatever I can to make things safe for my girl.”

That familiar ugly sensation twisted in my gut. I shook it off. There was nothing I respected more than trying to keep the ones you loved safe, and I’d do whatever I could to help. “No problem. It’s good to flex those muscles again.”

“Okay, enough of all this boring security talk.” Tuck rubbed his hands together with an expression that hinted at all sorts of trouble. “Let’s discuss all the parties we’re going to throw here this summer.”

My body stiffened. “No parties.” The two words came out more harshly than I’d intended.

Tuck’s eyes narrowed on me. “What’s going on, Cain? I know you’ve got that loner Bruce Wayne vibe going for you, but this is more.”

Walker’s gaze turned to me, as well. “Everything okay?”

I sighed and sat back down on the deck steps. The earlier call had reminded me of how careful I needed to be right now. Still, I knew it would come off as paranoid to someone who wasn’t entrenched in my industry. But Tuck and Walker were the two people I trusted most in this world. My gaze traveled to Liam.

Liam noticed my stare. “I can take a walk if you need to speak privately.”

Walker held up a hand and turned to me. “I’d trust him with my life.”

Walker knew me. My trust issues. Everything. He wouldn’t say something like that lightly. “I’ve got some security concerns at my company right now. I’m working on a new project, and I have to be extra careful.” I blew out a harsh breath, uneasy thinking of someone being in my office. “And there might be an insider helping them out.”

Tuck eased down onto the steps a few feet away, and the other guys followed. “That sucks, man.”

“And it’s not just that. There have been multiple cyber-attacks against the company system over the past couple of weeks. Someone wants to know how we do things.”

Walker picked up his beer. “Shouldn’t that give you a little more information? You know it’s not someone who’s developing your systems because then they could just sell the stuff outright.”

I shook my head. “I only have one developer assigned to each project. So, if a specific program hit the open market or ended up in another company’s hands, I’d know exactly who was responsible. This is more widespread than that.”

“Do you know who the company is that’s behind it all?” Tuck asked, stealing another beer from the six-pack.

“I’ve got a pretty good idea.” A few months ago, a new firm had emerged on the scene. Based in Seattle, no one knew who was at the helm of Raider Industries. At first, they were scooping up all the companies I simply didn’t have time for, the smaller fish. But now, they were going after my clients. And it was starting to look as if they might have recruited help. I filled the guys in on everything I knew about my competition.

Liam took a pull from his beer. “That seriously sucks, man. I’ve got some contacts in LA, solid investigators if you want to put someone on this.”

I’d thought about that. But no one I hired would know these people better than I did. I needed to be the one to hunt the asshole down. “Thanks, but I think I need to be at the helm for this.”

“I get it. Just let me know if you change your mind.” I nodded in assent.

Walker leaned forward, his elbows going to his knees. “We’ll help. Whatever you need.”

I didn’t know what I’d done in a past life to deserve these friends, but whatever it was, I was grateful. “Appreciate it. Mostly it just means making this place a fortress. No one I don’t know comes onto this property. I need a safe space to work.” I glanced at Tuck. “Which means, no parties.”

Tuck winced. “Uh, Jensen and Sarah are already planning some sort of housewarming something or other for you, so you might want to talk to them.”

I sighed. “The fewer people that know what’s going on, the better.”

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