Page 92 of Shockproof

His small grunt of amusement pushes me back in place to begin with step one all over again.

This shit hurts.

Plus, it hurts even more with the metal portion of my charm bracelet cutting into me, but I’m hoping I can use that in my favor. That the sharp edges will help fray the strands. Weaken its strength.

That this possibility is an extra reason my boyfriend wanted me to wear it around the clock.

Ivan folds his hands in his lap at the same time he clarifies, “How did you find out about my activities?”

I lift my eyebrows to tempt him into confessing what it is I already know.

“My…relocating…of previous Haworth employees.”

“Poaching.”

“That seems like a bit of a misnomer.”

A sarcastic head tilt is delivered to further mask my more aggressive actions.

“It’s notillegal, although some believe it to beunethical.” He offers me an emotionless shrug. “However, given the way HE operates that’s a laughable accusation.”

Yet I’m not laughing.

Or giggling.

Or so much as smirking over his statements.

The only thing I’m doing is what my bodyguard trained me to do, which is keep at it until my hands are free.

Until I have that window toact.

“I’m very curious, you know.” Seeing the corners of his lip twist causes my stomach to do the same. “My system had been working foryearsprior to your little snooping exhibition.” His grip tightens while mine hastens. “What inspired it?”

Aware that I need more time to work, I reply, “Someone forgot to sign a piece of their paperwork.”

“What?”

“I was reviewing forms – per protocol – and found one unsigned by a recently resigned operative. This led to me reviewing his last batch of documents that also had missing signatures, which I’m required to report on.” Feeling the tightness finally begin to dissipate sends tingles of hope throughout my burning, bent arms. “This led me to his exit eval assessment where it was noted that he was exhibiting unusual brash and brazen behaviors most likely as a result of a crucial life change. Carelessness in work in his final days – like improperly finishing tasks – was also mentioned as another indicator that something major in his life most likely transpired and the abrupt departure of his job was a direct result.” The continued unravelling situation pushes me to proceed. “The phrasing of the analysis sounded familiar, so I checked another recently resigned agent to find he too had been reported for displaying similar behaviors. So, I…pursued the data further inevitably leading me to discover the deep-rooted issue known as you.”

Ivan gives his chin a silent, contemplative stroke prior to proclaiming, “I assumed between having their files marked and Britt using her resources to do in office monitoring would continue to cloak our technique. I never would’ve imagined that a clerical fuck up would put such a dent in our operation or worry our investors.”

An attempt to yank my wrist completely free fails, prompting me to bide myself more time. “Why poach from the same company you left?”

He glances off at the ocean for a minor moment before changing the subject. “What do you know about Wahl?”

“Everything.”

“Cute.” He flashes a mocking grin. “What do you know about his kidnapping?”

“Enough.”

“Well, aren’t you full of all the precise answers.”

“Would you like me to go back to ignoring you?”

An impressed smirk precedes the resuming of his questioning, “Are you aware that Haworth was the company hired for his rescue and recovery?

“Of course.”

---