Page 27 of Seducing Hope (The Hope Legacy)

Krian cries out again when the snake takes his nose. Letting out an annoyed huff, Zac brushes his fingers against Krian’s temple, cutting off the noise.

We leave the snake to her meal and step outside.

Zac bins the wet wipe and sits back to watch the snake. “He doesn’t know where Khalkaroth is. But Khalkaroth did have a visitor. However, his memory has been tampered with to protect their identity.”

“Must be someone higher level,” I muse.

Zac nods, looking fascinated with the snake’s ability to swallow whole limbs. “I’ll put some feelers out, starting at the top.”

I put my watch back on. “Keep me updated.”

Chapter Ten

Natia

Taurus: Stubborn ass.

Entering the apartment, Zee changes the password and checks each room. Aaden and Zee picked up on the undertones in the final parts of the meeting and reached the same conclusion—they knew. Aaden attaches the memory stick to the laptop on the dining table.

Zee jogs down the stairs. “All clear. You said your grandfather has anti-surveillance technology in the apartment?”

“Yes, it’s in the master bedroom at the rear of the wardrobe, in a safe. The combination is—” Zee slaps a hand over my mouth and pushes me a piece of paper and a pen across the table.

“Write it down,” he mutters, taking away his hand. I jot down the code, and Zee immediately runs upstairs.

Aaden sighs. “They’re encrypted.”

“Can you unencrypt them?”

He throws me a sardonic expression. “Do you know who I am? It’ll take a few hours, though.” I huff. I’m desperate to see the files.

Zee returns and sits next to me at the dining table. “He pushed for you to be alone with him tonight. Maybe we should pull the mission and find an alternative approach.”

I shake my head. “We just need to be careful. I’ll avoid being alone with him; we have the files, let’s see what they reveal,” I press, as my phone starts ringing. It’s Uncle Charlie. My heart sinks—I already miss him, but I’m not ready to forgive him. I answer with every intention of keeping it professional.

“Natia Waterford,” I answer in a crisp voice.

“Don’t be coy, Natia. You know full well it’s me.”

I grind my teeth. “How can I help, Charlie?”

“You’re to return to HQ tonight,” he commands. What is it with men trying to push me around?

“Why?” I challenge.

“Your position has been compromised. Reinheart knows you aren’t there for your grandfather’s company. Pack, Natia.” He can only know this if Aaden or Zee has informed him. Aaden looks away, suddenly engrossed in watching his laptop screen count the percentage to complete bar.

I try reassuring Uncle Charlie. “I’ve managed to gain his attention, allowing me access to his apartment. This is the closest we’ve come to him—how many more people need to go missing before it’s worth the risk? Mary has just been taken; if we act fast enough, we may be able to save her. I’ll be careful. Zee won’t let me out of his sight.”

He exhales heavily, and I imagine his eyebrow tic is in full force. “It’s too dangerous.”

“You’re making this decision because I’m your niece, not as a colleague,” I challenge.

“You’re my subordinate, and youwillreturn now.”

Furious, I disconnect the call. The phone starts ringing again, but I switch it off, slamming the phone down on the table.

I swing my gaze to Aaden. “I’m not going back, but I understand if you want to.”

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