Page 25 of Seducing Hope (The Hope Legacy)

“It’s called playing hard to get, Zac. She wants me. It is novel to be challenged. But she is just like the rest of them. I’ll easily break her.”

Zac snorts as he exits the room. I rise to shake hands with the various advisors, when I notice Edward approaching Natia.

“Hi, Natia, how are you? Coping with the tedium of the meetings?” he enquires.

It’s probable the only thing keeping her awake was me. She recited an interesting mix of eighties songs. It became clear Aaden can read minds when I caught a glimpse of a note he wrote to Zee, informing him of her amusing choices.

“I’m coping fine, thanks, Edward.” She sounds tired. I study her face, noting the slight darkening under her eyes.

“I would love to sit down with you and discuss some of your ideas.”

I stiffen. Her response better be negative; otherwise, I’m going to have to deal with the vermin.

A small frown furrows her brows. “I don’t think that’s wise outside of this boardroom.”

Edward sighs. “You’ve outed me. I was… hoping for a date?” At least he is honest.

“I appreciate your offer, but I’m already spoken for.”

He looks deflated as he picks up his suitcase. I smirk at the lie. “I see. Well, he’s a lucky man. Goodbye, Natia.”

Aaden shakes my hand without comment. Zac folds his arms and stares at Natia, not disguising his distrust. Taking her hand, I push power along her skin. She flinches. I suspect she has a strong psychic ability, making her extra sensitive to my power.

“I can’t meet for breakfast tomorrow, so we will have dinner tonight instead,” I tell her.

She stares at me in defiance. “I have plans tonight. I can manage without you.”

“Fine, we will have dinner now.”

She offers me a deranged smile. “Thank you for the offer, but I have matters that require my immediate attention before my evening plans. I will see you tomorrow.”

I release her hand and return her stare. Zee steps so close his chest brushes her back. I glance over her head, and my lips twitch; as if he could keep her safe from me. I allow a wave of power to roll across her, and her skin glows from the effect. She digs her nails into her palms, battling the senses that are no doubt telling her to run.

“Then I hope you have a pleasant evening,” I concede.

She pushes Aaden to move faster toward the elevator.

Barney and Zac pile into the boardroom and shut the door, and Zac immediately hands me a report. “We have Krian in the basement. Khalkaroth loaned the apartment from him.”

I sit on the edge of the table and glance at the report. “She’s taken a copy of my files?”

Barney nods. “I don’t know how deep the program went to access your personal files. But assuming it’s everything, they have the video and research files. The safe house location isn’t named on any of them.” I don’t know if I’m impressed with the ingenuity or angry at her defiance.

Zac pours himself a coffee. “What do you want to do next?”

Tie her to my bed and make her body beg for release is my initial thought. “Put a tail on her. I want to know where she is at all times. Did you bug her apartment?”

Zac and Barney look surprised. “Yes, but they have a device blocking it. We aren’t going to bring her in and interrogate her?” Zac snaps.

“It would attract too much attention. She is the granddaughter of a wealthy and powerful man, who also happens to be our client. This will take more finesse; I’ll break hermyway. Speaking of interrogation, let’s go and see our old friend Krian.”

Bypassing the slow and torturous elevator, we teleport to the basement. We don’t bother to be discreet—it’s not like anyone will see us down here.

“Why do you think she is here?” I ask as we walk down the clinical white corridor toward the holding cell.

“It’s not the merger. She could be investigating the disappearances in a criminal manner. But she’s not law enforcement, so it’s more likely she’s involved in the game.”

The game has become our obsession—so called because each chess piece, moved with care and precision, progresses us closer and closer to our goal. Each side is constantly searching for the fated end pieces, which will end the game one way or another. It’s a twist on the classic good versus evil, with the fate of mankind hanging in the balance. And now, the wait is over, and the finale is close. Natia’s appearance at this stage may mean she is working against us—which makes her the enemy.

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