Page 88 of Hunt Me
24
IRIS
The code blurs across the screen.
My fingers move automatically, building the backdoor Morrison demanded. Each keystroke feels like a betrayal. Another nail in Alexi’s coffin.
Maya’s scream still echoes in my head.
I type faster.
The encryption protocol takes shape—elegant, invisible, devastating. Everything Morrison needs to infiltrate Ivanov Systems. To steal their data. Destroy their operations.
Destroy Alexi.
My hands shake.
Can’t stop them.
Morrison stands behind me, breathing down my neck and watching every line of code. He’s making sure I don’t slip any warnings in.
“Faster,” he says.
“Complex encryption takes time.”
“You have less than you think.” His phone buzzes. He steps away to answer it.
I glance at the door.
Still locked. Still guarded.
Maya’s somewhere in this building. Bleeding. Terrified.
Because of me.
Because I couldn’t leave well enough alone. Had to dig into Nightshade. Had to prove I was smarter than everyone else.
Had to get involved with Alexi Ivanov.
The thought of him twists something in my chest. He’s probably searching for me right now. Tearing Boston apart looking for answers.
Or maybe he’s decided I’m not worth the risk.
Morrison might be the government, but the Ivanovs are the Russian mafia. They know when to cut their losses.
I blink back tears and keep coding.
The backdoor initializes. Connects to the Ivanov mainframe through their financial systems. Exactly where Morrison wanted access.
“Good girl.” Morrison leans over my shoulder. “Now give me a backdoor into the Ivanov family’s systems.”
My stomach turns.
“I need more time?—”
The building shakes.
A massive explosion rocks the walls, sending Morrison stumbling backward. Dust rains from the ceiling. Alarms shriek to life.
