Page 14 of Savage Ruin
“I’ve never had Cuban food, but I definitely want to try more now,” I say enthusiastically, barely able to get the words out between bites.So freaking good.
While I finish the rest of my sandwich, Thiago explains the new security team to Grayson and Mateo. “Our new head of security is an old Army Ranger buddy of Zane’s, who he backs a hundred percent. His name is Jameson Bennett. Raider recruited the rest of the team through other contacts to ensure the team’s loyalty is to SEI instead of one individual man. Most of the members are ex-military, comprised of men and women, and they’re lethal.”
He pauses to take a bite. “Since we were overhauling the entire team, we took advantage of the fresh start to create some necessary structural changes. Security branches out into three areas. Cybersecurity, personal security, and SEI’s defense. We appointed leads for each branch according to their expertise. One man, Jaxon Pointer, spent quite a lot of time in cybersecurity for the Pentagon, and he'll head up cybersecurity for SEI.”
He looks pointedly at Mateo, whose face fills with satisfaction. I know Mateo and Diego hadn’t gotten along because of Diego’s lack of cyber knowledge and his inability to prepare SEI against any attacks, but this new plan obviously has Mateo’s full approval.
“Thomas Sanders will lead our personal security. He will be reaching out to speak with you about your schedule. Security is going to be more restrictive,” he says, glancing at Grayson, who grimaces. “But right now, it’s necessary. The third team will be focused on SEI’s security. Employee backgrounds, buildings, the jets, and so forth. That team will be led by Allison Engles. Any questions?”
For the next few minutes, they talk logistics, but my mind drifts away to start a to-do list. I wonder if any of the rootkits burrowed into our enemies’ computers. If they did, I need to set an activity alert.
“Earth to Henley,” Mateo whispers in my ear.
Jolting, I turn and see his wide smile. “What? Sorry. I drifted off for a second.”
“That’s okay. We’re used to it,” Grayson says, his eyes darting to Mateo. “Would you like some dessert?” He motions to the stack of pastries in front of me. “They’re pastelitos—pastries filled with various fruit custards and other ingredients. These have guava and cream cheese inside of them.”
I grab one and take a large bite. Flaky bits fall off and float down onto my plate. “Mmm, they’re kind of like a crossover between a turnover and a Danish. Pretty good.” Guava cream squirts onto my fingers, and without thinking, I lick it off. Then immediately stop. I barely hold in the groan of disgust. I’m so used to eating by myself I didn’t even think before licking my hand. My face heats with embarrassment, but I refuse to look up before I finish. Once the last bite is gone, my eyes dart to each of them, but they’re busy finishing their own pastry. I sigh with relief. It’s weird living with other people, and I haven’t quite gotten used to it.
“Have we lost you again?” Mateo asks, laughter in his voice.
“No, I’m still here,” I counter with a mock glare in his direction. Talk about pot and kettle. “Actually, I’m really glad to have my computer so I can check on the rootkits I installed on the videos and the drive.”
Mateo stops eating. “What rootkits?”
Oops, I guess I forgot to tell him about the traps I set. “When the videos kept disappearing, I decided to install rootkits on the remaining copies in the hopes of catching some intel off an enemy’s computer. In addition, I loaded mock AR software on a flash drive. I saw Diego pick it up when he came to get me in my apartment that day, and I’m hopeful he gave it to someone important. I checked once, but there wasn’t any activity. I’m going to check again tonight and set up an alert.”
“You’re saying we could possibly have a spy in the enemy’s computer?” Mateo asks in disbelief. When Thiago and Grayson give him puzzled looks, he goes on to give them a high-level explanation of a rootkit. “Basically, it’s malicious software designed to enable remote access to someone else’s computer. It’s extremely intrusive and very hard to detect because it can literally hide itself or subvert a program looking for malware. While your computer security software might be able to detect and remove it, most don’t have the capability. It usually requires you to replace your hardware to get rid of it. It’s a digital Trojan horse.” He grins widely.
“We don’t know for sure if or who downloaded it. It could be an entry level goon for all we know,” I interject, not wanting anyone to get their hopes up. “But fingers crossed, we find something.”
“Keep me informed,” Thiago orders in an arrogant tone.
I narrow my eyes at him, but he only raises an eyebrow in response.
Mateo chuckles but says nothing.
Expensive cologne fills the air when Grayson leans over me to get my plate.
“I can take my dishes to the kitchen, Grayson,” I protest, feeling weird about him waiting on me all the time.
“It’s always a pleasure to assist a beautiful woman,” he replies smoothly.
I deliberately look at him and roll my eyes.
An ember appears in those blue depths of his. “Wouldn’t you do the same for me?”
“Help you or give you fake compliments?”
“Ouch, you wound me,” he says with a laugh. “Make no mistake, Henley, you’re a beautiful woman. I don’t lie. Ever.”
Unsure of what to say in return, I sit there and stare at him.
“Thank you for dinner,” I finally stammer out. Keeping my back straight and using mostly my legs, I manage to stand by myself. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to the patio to check on the rootkits.”
With small steps, I make my way outside and over to the couch. I’m considering the best way to sit when someone helps me. Breathing in deeply, I smell Mateo’s fresh, clean scent and look up at him and smile.
He hands me my computer and takes a seat next to me while I check on the rootkits. The ones I installed on the videos haven’t had any activity. I’m guessing they destroyed the files without downloading them. I set an alert, but with little hope they’ll return anything.
