Page 24 of Seducing Hope (The Hope Legacy)

Footsteps sound across the floor toward the stairs, but the light is still flashing—the upload isn’t complete. Leaving the memory stick, I dash into the living area and close the door. I stare at the art, as if it’s what I’ve been doing the entire time.

He strolls over and stands beside me. “Do you like art?”

I tip my head at a familiar painting, which may be an original. “I don’t know any modern artists, and I don’t take part in the collector’s scene. I like what I like, and I don’t feign interest in things I don’t find beautiful.” His eyes widen. I refrain from rolling my eyes. “Just because I come from a family of wealth doesn’t mean I must pretend to like things I don’t appreciate and ignore those I do find pleasure in.”

“That is not what I am thinking. It is rare to find someone so honest, particularly with your status. Most succumb to the pressures of their peers. I agree, you should never hide how you feel because of other people’s expectations.”

I point to the painting. “Is that ‘The Birth of Venus?’”

“Yes, you know your Greek gods?”

“Some. Did you have a copy made? It’s an amazing replica.”

His lips twitch. “Something like that.”

Studying the painting some more, I ask, “Could you get my coat for me, please?” I hold my breath waiting for his answer, hoping this gives me time to retrieve the memory stick.

“Of course.” He strides down the corridor we originally entered. I scurry to retrieve the memory stick and rush back to the living area a split second before he rounds the corner. I’m not able to shut the door without the click being noticeable, so I leave a small gap, hoping he won’t notice. Walking toward him, I head him off to collect my coat. He hands it to me and strides straight toward the office. I freeze. He enters without pausing, and my heart beats erratically until he returns with his suit jacket.

“Ready?” he asks, mimicking Aaden’s words to me only hours before. If I only realized how not ready I was for this day. But I guess you never know when your world’s gonna get turned upside down.

Chapter Nine

Archan

Unknown origin.

Entertaining myself with the occasional brush against Natia, I listen to her small gasps and watch her body react. It is the only way to survive the dullest meeting of my life. The wild scent of a storm drifts over to me. I breathe her in—she’s so responsive but on her guard, reinforcing her shields and patching the smallest of cracks.

Her hesitancy when discussing the weapons department confirmed my suspicion—she knows more than she is letting on. Zac strides in as we are wrapping up today’s meeting.

“Hi, Zac.” Natia beams at him. A genuine smile lights up her face, one she hasn’t graced me with yet.

“Hi, Natia,” he says coolly, purposefully not meeting her eyes. She blinks and looks a bit confused before turning away and talking with her companions. Zac pulls me aside to show me a security video from this morning, and I immediately use my abilities to reach out to his mind, establishing a mental link so we can converse privately—my favorite way to communicate.

“This is the security feed from your personal apartments this morning,”he says.

I watch as Natia arrives and we go to the kitchen. The security cameras turn to focus on our exchange. Zac fast-forwards the feed to when I go upstairs. Natia searches her bag then stands, but the cameras don’t follow her movement like they should. She disappears from view, just outside the office. Zac switches to the office feed, which is focused on the back left corner—it should be on the doors.

“You think she was in my office searching for something?”I ask Zac.

“I think it’s suspicious that the second you both entered the boardroom, the cameras were no longer faulty.”

“Did you get anything when you touched her?”

“No. Her mental shields are blocking her memories, her thoughts, her aura… I can’t even view the previous five minutes. That’s unusual. Some people can bury strong memories and ones they view as important, but to block everything is something else.”

Zac is perplexed. We are on the last leg of our mission, when Natia suddenly appears under the pretense of representing her grandfather’s company. I glance at her.

“Has she been honest with you when answering your questions?”Zac asks.

I think back on our exchanges.“She hasn’t lied. But she’s a master at manipulating her words, answering part of a question, or deflecting it and not answering at all. But woven in is brutal honesty… It’s confusing.”

“What do you want to do?”

“I will distract her tonight. Get Leo to pay her apartment a visit, bug it. Let’s see what she’s hiding.”

“She seems to be resisting your usual charm.”Zac sounds amused.

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