Page 96 of Off Her Game
“It’s lucrative. If Symphis isn’t really gone, he’s going to fight.”
“If we can get the best of the best in the industry on our side before he sucks them into the illegal world, then that’s a first step. To do that we need to go public on what’s going on. You don’t have to be a part of the fight, though.”
“Fighting is what I do best.” She smiled up at him. “If I go public and then die with evidence that points to Symphis then that makes him an epically big target.”
“I don’t want you dead over this.” Wrinkles furrowed his forehead.
“Then we better make the best of all the time we have.”
Jake strolled in.
Noah saw red. He released her. His fist hit Jake’s face with awhack.
The impact wrenched Jake’s neck to the side, but he didn’t fight back. Jake backed up with his hands in the air. “Hold on. I realize you’re in love with her.” He massaged his chin and nailed Noah with a hard glare. “I needed you to be sure yourself.”
Noah gritted out, “You blocked her from seeing me?”
Jake turned to Tori. “I’m sorry about today. I was afraid I’d pushed you so far you’d truly walk away from Noah.” His voice tight with emotion, Jake said, “Noah, I want to see you happy, but you needed to step back. You needed to see the risks to her and her career. You also needed to figure out if whatever this was had lasting power.” His gaze fell to Tori. “It does. She’s as messed up over this as you.”
“Are you in love with me?” she asked Noah.
“Maybe. I don’t know. Probably.” Noah released a long sigh. “Yes.”
“Right answer. I think I might love you, too.” She pulled his head to her and kissed him. Her tentative smile lit up his world.
Noah grinned. She loved him.
Jake cleared his throat. “In my opinion, the only way to avoid gossip is for you two to be open about this to everyone—the company, family, and the world. That leaves no room for anyone to judge or talk.” He pivoted but then paused, “I’m outta here before this goes rated R. I do have one request of both of you.”
Noah stared a get-on-with-it.
“Noah, will you please run point on her project. Her team is so annoying with their unwillingness to tell me anything. I feel like the Queen of England whom everyone defers to but can’t actually do or know anything. Please?”
Noah glanced down at Tori. “I’ll only do it if you don’t think it’ll be uncomfortable with us dating.” His gaze returned to Jake’s. “We will be dating. I don’t want any uncertainty on that.”
Tori said, “I’m okay with it, but if there’s something I want done and I think I can get my way when you’re being tough, I might have to resort todrastic measures.” He tone dropped to suggestive on the last words.
“Christ,” Jake muttered. “This is why we shouldn’t condone interoffice romance. Please wait to break up until after the game launches.”
“I’m totally running your project and being a bastard all the time.” Noah laughed when she shot him an irritated glare. “I’m kidding.”
“I’m leaving.” Jake waved dismissively at them.
“Wait,” Noah said. “Tori just told me she has information that they didn’t catch Symphis the other night. Martin wasn’t the one.”
Jake compressed his lips. “Sam mentioned this as a possible scenario. Bite off the head of the snake and another will rise up. Or, in this case, we didn’t get it. Going public seems like the only way to save gaming the way we know it.”
“You’ll be at risk. He might try to retaliate against you guys,” Tori said.
Jake sighed and started a Noah. “We went into a coalition with the FBI and three other gaming firms knowing the risks. The only way we can beat this is for the gamers to be on our side. They have to see there’s an escape aside from drugs or death.” He squeezed Noah’s shoulder as he headed toward the door. “Live. Love hard. Game harder. Now is all we may have.”
“Sorry about the shiner you’ll have tomorrow,” Noah called.
“No you’re not,” Jake called out as he left. “I’ll get you back one day.”
Noah announced, “Let’s do this date.”
“Right now?” She plucked at her T-shirt and glanced despairingly at her jeans.
