Page 114 of Beautiful Ascension

LEV

“Did you get the folder I sent?” I ask Teagan as she walks back into the frame with a plate of cake.

“Sure did. I’ll look at it once I finish this red velvet cake,” she replies, plunking down in her chair.

Snorting, I work on inputting the string code. Even though Baker and Samantha are on the campaign trail, we need to be ready. They won’t take their plans being thwarted well, so it’s only a matter of time before they strike back. “I think we can—” I pause, squinting to make sure I’m seeing things clearly. “Are you eating your cake with a knife and spoon?”

I watch Teagan do a happy dance while she cuts a piece of her cake and then pushes it onto the spoon. “Judge your mother, bitch, and let me be great,” she quips, kicking her feet up on her desk.

Stifling a laugh, I shake my head and refocus on the task before me. We’ve been working on a way to permanently take control of any chips and the devices made to activate them.

Moments later, my phone buzzes. Picking it up off my desk, I notice it’s Ariah calling. “Dove,” I breathe, grateful she’s on the line.

“Hey, Lev,” she replies as I hold up a finger, signaling I’ll be back to Teagan.

I clear my throat, stepping into my bathroom for more privacy. “Are you okay?” I inquire, worrying something’s wrong.

“Yeah, I uh. . . I was reading Wes’s journal and had a few questions about the explosive they implanted into Owen.”

My shoulders relax, and the tension I don’t realize I’m feeling eases. “Of course. Ask me anything.”

“Do you mind coming over? I’d really prefer to do this in person. It would be the most secure way to discuss what happened.”

I fist pump the air, ecstatic she wants to see me, even if it’s only to answer questions. Then I remember she’s waiting for an answer. “Absolutely,” I state, trying to sound composed. “What time did you have in mind? I’m finishing up a few things, but I should be done in the next two hours.”

“Perfect,” Ariah exclaims. “I want to read more of the journal and take a nap. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

“I’m looking forward to it.” We exchange goodbyes, and I wait until she hangs up. Even more motivated, I burst through the door.

Teagan looks up, her plate now gone. “What has that ridiculously happy smile on your face, Washington?”

“My woman wants to see me,” I blurt out.

Smirking, Teagan states, “I take it things are going well then?”

“It’s moving in the right direction,” I confess because Ariah wanting to see and speak to me is everything I’ve been wishing for since June.

“Well then, I guess we should get a move on,” Teagan infers, and I nod, sitting before she pulls the code up on our shared screen. “This part right here,” she circles with the computerized pen. “We need to switch a few commands, but I’m positive this is what we need.”

I study our work, reading to see what we need to change to make this work. Pointing to three other areas, I suggest moving around two more lines before we rerun it.

O: Get out of the car, you chicken shit.

Wy: What he said. You’re not going to make things up to her from inside your car. Pussy up already.

Of course, they would hit me with the rip the bandaid off and take my ass inside approach. “Dicks,” I mumble to myself.

Bash: Stop your muttering and get going already.

My head snaps up, looking for the camera that obviously must be hidden in my car. How the fuck else would Sebastian know I’m still sitting here.

Me: Are you assholes watching me?

Wes: Nope, but now I know what I’m doing the next time you piss me off.

Me: ????????????

I’m sliding my phone in my pocket when it goes off again. Ready to curse whichever ass is taunting me, I yank my cell back out. But it’s not them.

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