by M. S. Parker
“Jenna, meet Christophe Constantine, my assistant.” Rylan tapped on one of the keyboards and the screens all came to life. “Would you like tea or coffee? We also have water and fruit juice available.”
“Coffee, please,” I said. “Black. And decaf if you have it.”
I was close enough to see Rylan's eyes shine with humor.
“I thought caffeine was all computer programmers and techs drank.”
Despite myself, I smiled.
“Rylan,” Christophe spoke. His voice was much lower than I would've thought, almost gravelly. “Emmaline Kent wants to speak to you about some glitches in the program she's working on.”
“I'm booked until tomorrow,” Rylan said. I watched him scan a mental calendar, his eyes narrowing as he appeared to find an empty slot. “Schedule her an appointment for one o'clock and tell her to be ready to present a series of possible solutions for the issues she's having.”
“Will do,” Christophe said. “Did you want anything to drink?”
“My usual,” Rylan answered even as he pulled out two chairs. “And make sure the pots are full before you leave for the day.”
“Got it.” Christophe turned and walked out.
“Now, Jenna, what do you say we get down to business?” Rylan sat down in one of the chairs and I took the other. “Once you get started on the preliminaries, I'll have Christophe order us some dinner.”
“Excuse me?” I pushed my chair away from him as I turned.
“I assumed since we'd be staying late, you'd get hungry. I usually order in when I'm working late, so I figured I'd get enough for two.” Rylan didn't seem put off by the edge in my voice.
“You're staying too?” I tried not to scowl. One of the things I liked about security system work was that I usually had to do it after the offices were empty, which meant I only had the occasional security guard checking in on me.
Rylan gave me a small smile. “I know there are a lot of companies that give free reign, but no one gets on my computers or my server for the first time without me there. Sorry, Jenna. You're stuck with me for the duration of this assignment.”
Chapter Three
I wasn't happy that Rylan was staying while I worked, and even less so when I realized he fully intended to be right there the entire time. He wasn't hovering, but it was close. It wasn't that I couldn't work with someone watching me. It was more that I didn't like to, especially when that someone was a man I didn't know. But, I was a professional and I'd do what needed to be done. Besides, he hadn't given me a reason not to trust him.
“You said you had a security issue.” I pushed my chair to the edge of where I needed to be and hoped I didn't offend him. “But you didn't mention specifics.”
Rylan nodded and leaned closer to pull up a program on the center monitor. I managed not to flinch or pull away, then mentally scolded myself for being so jumpy. It wasn't like I hadn't worked with men before or even good-looking men. And while he was definitely hot, that wasn't the reason I felt more nervous than usual. Not that I knew what the real reason was.
“I didn't mention specifics,” Rylan said. “Because it's a security issue with a prototype of brand new software I'm beta testing on our servers.”
Oh. That made sense. No one in their right might would tell someone like me that their servers weren't secure. Even a company with a long-established reputation shouldn't be trusted with information like that. With a company like this, stolen information could be sold to the highest bidder for millions. Now I really understood why Rylan didn't plan to leave me here alone. This was practically the most vulnerable position a business like this could be in. In fact, that was usually why jobs like this were done from the inside.
“Why me?” I asked. “Why doesn't your security tech handle this himself? Or herself?”
A flash of anger went across Rylan's face. “He's no longer employed here.” The tone of his voice told me the matter wasn't going to be discussed any further. “So, what can you do to fix this?” He gestured toward the screen.
There was no attitude in his question, so I didn't snap off some smart-ass reply. Instead, I focused on the screen and let myself fall into the safety of ones and zeros, the cyber-world where I was in control and a single keystroke could change everything. That was one of the reasons I'd gone into a technological field. As an expert, I had power in a place where things were straightforward, even if I was using a backdoor. There were other reasons I'd chosen computers, but this wasn't the time or place to rehash any of them.
The program Rylan had opened was an impressive one. It was a multi-level operating system designed to exponentially increase speed and efficiency while offering a new, attractive appearance. Once all of the beta tests were done and this hit the market, it'd be huge.
If I could fix one, teeny-tiny, glaring error.
As I continued to read the code, I began to frown. Something wasn't right here.
“What is it?” Rylan asked. “You see something.”
I nodded. “I do.” I didn't expound, but kept reading instead. I half-expected him to interrupt and insist that I share, but he didn't. Instead, he let me keep going until I'd finished. Only then did I look away from the monitor and face Rylan.
“What did you see?” Rylan asked, almost holding his breath. This is the first time I saw a crack in his professional surface.
His face was carefully masked and I knew he was testing me.
“The security breach in the software was intentional.” I paused, and then made an intuitive guess. “Which is why your security tech got fired.” I glanced at the monitor nearest me again. “Do you know who he sold the information to?”
“No one,” Rylan admitted.
I was surprised. I hadn't expected him to admit the breach. I thought he'd just brush aside the question and move on.
“The day we installed the software to start beta testing, one of my other security personnel found an incriminating note that made me check the program. My former employee didn't have any time to let his contact know he'd opened a window for them. We had him arrested and a friend at the police station promised to keep him away from a phone for twenty-four hours.”
“Which is why you needed me to come in right away,” I connected the dots. “You need me to fix the problem before this guy calls his contact and lets them know it's open season on Archer Enterprises.”
Rylan nodded. “Exactly.”
“Question. Why don't you just uninstall the software?”
He grimaced. “It's not that easy. It'd take a complete system wipe and reboot. And while the old software was re-installing...”
“You'd be vulnerable,” I finished. A question popped into my head, but I wasn't sure if it was a good idea for me to ask it.
“Whatever you're wondering, just ask.”
I blinked. I'd never had someone call me out like that before. I hoped it wasn't because I was getting easier to read. I didn't address that, however, but asked my question. “Why'd you install software without checking it first?”
He leaned back in his chair. “You mean why did someone who's supposed to be smart not notice there was something seriously wrong with the software before I installed it?” Rylan asked wryly.
I shrugged. “You said it, not me.”
“I trust my employees,” Rylan said. “They check their own work, ask for help when they need it.”
“And how's that working for you?” I closed my eyes as soon as the question came out. Shit. “I'm sorry. That was completely unprofessional.” I opened my eyes, guessing I'd be getting fired if he wasn't on a timetable.
“No need to apologize.” Rylan held up a hand. He crossed one long leg over the other and I couldn't help but admire how well tailored his pants were. “It's worked fine for years, but I suppose it had to catch up with me sooner or later.”
I managed to keep my opinion to myself on that one. Rylan was far too trusting, especially for a CEO. His eyes met mine and I wondered if he knew what I was thin
king, if he could read the code that turned into thoughts inside my mind. I tried not to squirm. There wasn't anything inappropriate in his gaze, but it felt like he was seeing deep inside me. I didn't like it.
“Are you able to fix the problem?” Rylan asked, finally breaking the silence. He turned toward the monitor, the personal conversation clearly over.
Grateful for the shift, I nodded. “I'm basically going to have to re-write the code that your tech put in here. He didn't just leave it out. He actually wrote an open door in its place. I'll want to go through the rest of the code too, just to make sure he didn't put in a back door or mess with anything else.” I didn't look at Rylan as I added, “If you have a non-disclosure agreement for me to sign, I can do that now.”
He slid a piece of paper across the desk and I read through it quickly. I'd learned how to skim these things to make sure I didn't get caught off guard without taking forever to do it. I signed my copy and the company's copy and then Rylan initialed both. With that taken care of, I turned my attention to the task at hand.
I let myself fall into the rhythm of work, tuning out everything around me. I was vaguely aware that Rylan was watching me, but pushed it to the back of my mind. I was good at compartmentalizing when I needed to. I didn't realize that Christophe had brought in coffee until I automatically reached over and a mug was there. It was perfect, strong and black. I sighed. Decaf too. That was good. I'd had enough caffeine today. Anymore would leave me on the wrong side of total control.
I didn't know how much time passed, only that I was half-way through my system check when I became aware that Rylan had moved closer and was now looking over my shoulder. I inhaled sharply, catching a whiff of something masculine and spicy. My stomach clenched in a good way. I didn't know what kind of soap or aftershave that was, but I liked it.
“You're doing great work.” His voice was low and near enough that I tensed. He reached over my shoulder and pointed at a line of code. “That backdoor was virtually undetectable and you closed it while allowing for a passcode to grant access if necessary. Always important in case I get shut out of my system.”
I pushed back from the desk, moving away from him. My eyes narrowed. “How'd you know that was there?”
“I am a software designer,” he said mildly.
I looked around, the passage of time now registering. The sky was dark, the light coming in through the window now artificial. We'd been alone in Rylan's office since the beginning, but now I knew we were alone in the building. Maybe there was a security guard somewhere, but I doubted he came up to the top floor when the boss was here. Especially if the boss was up here with a woman.
“Why didn't you fix this yourself?” I stood as my heart started to race. “Why did you hire me to do something you could do yourself?”
I could feel my palms begin to sweat. I told myself that there had to be a reasonable explanation. Logically, I knew that had to be the case. Smoking hot CEO's of billion-dollar software companies didn't randomly hire tattooed and pierced computer techs just to get them alone. The panic that threatened to choke me told a different story.
The panic reminded me that Rylan had admitted to researching me, finding out about my past. He couldn't know too much, of that I was certain. I'd made sure Jenna Lang was impossible to trace to who I once was. But still, he'd looked me up. My mind raced. Was it possible he'd chosen me because I was alone? Did he think no one would believe me if I tried to claim he'd done something to me? Did he think he could get away with… what?
My breath was coming in rapid, short bursts of air now. I needed to calm down. Breathe. My imagination had taken on a life of its own and was running away, taking my brain hostage. If I didn't get control of it, I would hyperventilate. It didn't happen often, but I could feel a panic attack on the brink. It had been a while since I'd had one. I was due.
“Jenna, are you okay?” Rylan looked concerned as he stood.
He reached out, his hand brushing against my arm. Electricity shot through me, followed by a surge of adrenaline so strong I nearly roared. I could do nothing but act on instinct, my brain barely processing my actions.
My hand curled into a fist and my arm drew back. I turned my body like I'd been taught, putting everything into the punch. Pain flared through my knuckles and up my hand as I connected with the side of his face.
Then I did the only thing I could do. I bolted. I heard him call my name as I hit the elevator button and prayed it would close before he got too close. I didn't know if he wasn't chasing or if I was quick enough, but either way, I made it to the lobby without being caught, and then headed for the front door. It wasn't until I was halfway down the side that I finally slowed. Thank God, a bus. I picked up my pace and jumped on. I dug four quarters out of my pocket, tossed them in the collector and collapsed on a seat. I didn't realize I'd forgotten my backpack until I was at my apartment and had to use my spare key.
Fuck.
I would have to go back to Archer Enterprises and get it.
Double fuck.
Chapter Four
“Aren't you just a cute little thing?”
His voice was rough but his hands would be rougher. They always were.
I knew I was dreaming. I always knew it when I got to this point, but it didn't make things any easier. Didn't take away the metallic taste of fear coating my tongue. Didn't stop me from cringing when his hands tore away my clothes.
I cried out as the fabric burned my skin as the shredded garments were discarded. That earned me a backhand and a laugh deep from his throat. Even though I knew it was coming every time, I could never stop myself from making a sound.
Terror choked me as my hands were captured and held down. Tears blinded me, keeping me from seeing his face beyond a blur. It didn't matter. I knew his face. It was etched behind my pupils. I would see it every time I closed my eyes until the day I died. And even then, I doubted I'd be free.
Pain tore through me and I tried not to give him the satisfaction of a scream, but as he shoved and ripped, I couldn't hold it in anymore.
“Stop! Please! Stop!” I screamed the words over and over again, but he didn't listen. He never did. I begged and cried, coughing and choking, and it only excited him more.
Safe.
I tried to say the word, to remind myself that this wasn't real. I was safe in bed or curled up on my couch.
I'd eventually reach a point in my nightmare when I was forced to wake up because it was just too much, my conscious mind saving me from the abyss. There would be no man. No real pain. But I could barely hold on to a thought for more than a few seconds before the fear drove it out and I was lost to the past again.
“Such a good baby girl,” he grunted, his breath hot against my cheek. His breath smelled like tobacco and mint. “So soft and sweet.”
I retched and choked on the scent of his cloying cologne. Bile rose in my throat and I knew I was going to throw up. I'd vomit on him and he'd get angry. He'd hit me and do even worse things to me and nothing I could do would stop him. It would never stop...
I jerked awake. My heart was racing and I was bathed in sweat, but it took me only seconds to orient myself. It had been a while since I'd had one of the nightmares, but they always came. They weren't memories, not exactly, but they sometimes felt like the truth. Then, at some point I would realize I was dreaming. I'd wake up, and reality didn't take me by surprise. The pounding pulse and sweat was just my body's reaction to a flood of adrenaline.
I took slow breaths like I'd been taught, but I only made it through a couple when I heard it again, the sound that had pulled me out of my nightmare. Someone was knocking on my door. And this time, a man's voice joined in.
“Miss Lang, it's the police. We need to speak with you.”
I frowned. The cops. Why would the cops... then I knew. My hand throbbed like a nark about to spill his secrets.
Shit.
I'd hit Rylan Archer, one of the richest and most powerful men in the city, maybe the country.
I climbed out of bed, knowing I'd have to face the consequences sooner or later. When they knocked again, I called out, “I'm coming!”
I looked down at myself to make sure my sweatpants and tank top covered everything important. I was glad I'd managed to find a pair without any holes. While I didn't really care what the cops thought of me, if Rylan was going to press charges, at least I'd be somewhat presentable when I was arrested. I ran my hand through my hair as I walked across the small living room to the door.
I supposed I shouldn't have been surprised that Archer called the cops. After all, he hadn't done anything to deserve the hit I gave him. Was it possible he'd intended something? Sure, but I didn't have any proof. All these cops would see was that I didn't have a mark on me other than the ones I'd paid for or the ones too old to matter. I hadn't been roughed up or reported an assault. Not that there had been one to report.
No, they would only see tattoos and piercings, blue hair and a bad attitude versus a rich, handsome man with an impeccable record. It wouldn't matter what I said. Right. Like there was any way in hell I would tell anyone why I reacted that way to begin with.
I opened the door.
Two officers stood in the hallway. One was a woman with a severe-looking expression and even more severe-looking hair. She was probably in her early thirties, but the scowl on her face made her look way beyond her years. Her partner was stocky and about an inch shorter. He looked to be a couple years older, with gray at his temples and a world-weary look in his eyes.
