Page 65 of Shockproof

“It’s basically just a case analysis assignment.”

Confused silence seems to be the collective response.

“I can essentially create an algorithm that takes all the behavioral information Wiz has managed to collect– spending habits, eating preferences, travel logs, ect – and use it to discover which alias presents itself as theleastriskiest to be targeted because the one withleast riskis most likely the real – or closest to the real – version of himself. It’s basic self-preservation. You may be fine burning a good alias, but it beats the hell out of burning the actual person you are.”

“The one with the least risk then makes them the best target for us because the accountant won’t expect to have that version of himself attacked,” Slater slowly follows. “By believin’ that alias to not be a threat makes him perfect for threatenin’.”

“Exactly!”

“How long do you think it’ll take you?” Our boss promptly prods. “A week? Two?”

“Three days?”

Everyone – including the man whose arms I’m trapped in – delivers me the exact same baffled expression.

Harvey, logically, is the first to speak, “Is this three days if your other work is put on hold?”

“It’s three days if I put my entire life on hold.”

Predictably, Slater objects, “Angel Cake-”

“I would rather pause our time together for a few days than keep pausing our life for a few months, Cowboy.” Angling myself to meet his stare allows him to see the seriousness in mine. “You know I love you.”

A soft, proud smile slips into place. “I do.”

“And I love spending time with you.”

“I know that too.”

“And I love working in the penthousesometimes…”

“Just not all the time.”

“Exactly.” The shrug that bounces my shoulders is subtle. Small. “I wanna get back to the office. And I wanna stop having to arrange with my secretary about drop points for files for you or Blu to pick up. And I wanna stop having to feed Reynolds leftovers in the middle of the night because he didn’t wake up with enough time to eat before starting his elevator shift. And I wanna stop worrying about Yi or Consuelos or another security team member getting hurt because they happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Shaking my head isn’t gradual. It’s rapid. Furious. “I’mtiredof having to hide and have less of a life – a life I actually am excited to live – because someone is hunting me!Us!Now’s our chance to really turn the tables on this person! Let’s fucking take it! Let me get you something you can use to track down this sonofabitch who can probably lead us to the individual behind this faster than I can sift through thousands of employee files.”

For longer than I care for, the entire room is silent.

No one moves a muscle.

I’m not even sure a breath is taken.

It isn’t until I watch Slater swallow what I can only imagine is the last of his reluctance that I realize what’s coming next. “Okay.” His arms abandon their posts around me to assist in transitioning him to a mission prepared stance. “Tell us what you need.”

Chapter 10

Slater

**

I tuck my hands between my legs and try not to cry.

I’m not supposed to cry.

I’m a bad boy when I cry because big boys aren’t supposed to cry.

Five is too big to cry.

I get hit in the head when I cry.

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