Page 24 of The Secrets We Keep

Leaning his elbow on the table, his thumb tracing circles over the back of her hand, he studied her. “How risky is it? To get into his systems?”

Sienna shrugged, taking another bite of pasta. “No riskier than hacking any other database. I’ll use all the same protections, and I have the added bonus of working there and having a more intimate knowledge of their security protocols.”

“A position you put yourself in on purpose,” he said.

“Yes. But now I have to figure out how else to finesse my fall guy after flirting with him all week.”

“Why?”

She lifted a brow. “Because you threatened to cut off his fingers.”

Luca gave her a pointed look. “I’ll do it too.”

“I don’t doubt that.” She tried to bite back a smile, but it didn’t work, the edges of her mouth quirking up. “I’ll figure something out.”

“I don’t want you to get caught, Sienna.” His grip on her hand tightened. “I need you to make sure you’re careful. Fuck knows what Nero will do to you if he finds out you’re alive.”

“Don’t worry about that.” She waved a hand in the air. “I know what I’m doing and how to fly under the radar.

“Just be careful.”

“Of course,” she replied. “How are you going to explain to Matteo the sudden acquisition of an inside source?”

“That’s a great question,” Luca muttered.

“He can’t blow my cover, Luca. I’ve waited too long for this moment.”

He reached out and pulled her into his lap, smiling when she wrapped her hand around his neck and guided his mouth to hers. “He’ll never know it’s you. How soon can you get access?”

“Ciro is going to ask me out for drinks tomorrow, and I’m going to say yes.” Luca scowled, and she stroked her fingers over the side of his neck. “Don’t worry, amore. I’ll get him very drunk, but I won’t let him touch me. He needs all his fingers to do his job.”

Luca huffed out a laugh. “I don’t give a shit what he needs.”

“Just trust me. If all goes well, I should have access by Friday at the latest.”

“All right. I’ll get your number before I go.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Sienna. When can I see you again?”

“Friday?”

He sighed, wrapping his arm tighter around her waist. “That’s very far away.”

“I think I have something that might hold you over until then.”

“Pasta to go?” he asked with a grin.

She drilled a finger into his belly but laughed. “I was thinking more along the lines of my bathtub is big enough for two.”

Pushing abruptly to his feet, he cradled her against his chest and carried her into the bathroom. Setting her on the edge of the counter, he ran water into the tub, testing the temperature with his fingers before returning to her and unbelting her robe.

“Let’s see how many times I can make you come before the water gets cold.”

Chapter Twelve

Sienna scanned through the lines of code she’d spent most of the day writing, checking them for errors. Management kept changing their mind about the app’s features. With the stroke of a pen, they could wipe out an entire day’s work. No wonder they’d brought her on so early if they were so indecisive about even letting them build a test to completion.

There was something about being in her element, though. Even here, surrounded by the enemy. She’d always had a natural affinity for technology, constantly getting in trouble as a child for taking something apart to see how it worked. Even though she always managed to put it back together again.

When she turned thirteen, her mother’s brother had gotten her a computer. But he made her promise she wouldn’t take it apart before he gave it to her. It was love at first sight. And she kept her word by only dismantling the mouse.

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