After getting my ass handed to me as a teenager by the FBI, CIA, and all the hard-ass initials, I’ve avoided drawing attention to myself. People hear the word hacker, and they assume I’ve stolen someone’s identity and went to town with their credit cards, when really the extent of my illegal activities was hunting human traffickers.

  I quicken my pace, relieved when I finally arrive at The Cultured Crêpe. Ernestine, who is seated at a table on the sidewalk, rises to embrace me.

  She’s a woman that could make overalls look elegant, though today she’s chosen a cream-colored pantsuit that fits loosely yet somehow manages to show off her exquisite figure. Everything she does looks graceful and effortless, from the way she slides out of her chair to how she tucks a stray curl behind her ear. Even in the fancy dress Hunter bought me, I look like a pauper next to her.

  “You look absolutely gorgeous,” she enthuses, her light, floral scent wafting to my nose.

  I hug her stiffly, trying my best to return the warmth but failing entirely.

  “I hope you don’t mind that I grabbed a table outside. The weather is beautiful today.”

  I force a smile. “Not at all.”

  My security detail joins hers at a neighboring table, and we seat ourselves across from one another. People passing give us casual glances, but no one seems to recognize Ernestine.

  “I’ve gone ahead and ordered you a morning mimosa.” She gestures to two cocktails on the table. “Tell me, how has your stay with Hunter been?”

  “Wonderful,” I reply back. “Everything is so beautiful.”

  “It felt so sterile when I first arrived. I spruced up the living quarters, but the work areas are still so bleak.”

  “Techies don’t much care about the finer aesthetics. Case in point: my apartment is decorated with old pizza boxes and Mountain Dew bottles,” I say without thinking.

  Dammit—now she’s gonna think you’re a hillbilly.

  Instead of making me feel awkward, Ernestine chuckles. “I remember those days.”

  I cock a brow. “You remember coding all hours of the night for class?”

  She rolls her eyes, bobbling her head. “No, I mean Lucy. It got to a point where my parents wouldn’t even force her to come down for evening meal.”

  So, I guess working Lucy into the conversation isn’t going to be as hard as I had expected it to be.

  “It was probably smart that they gave up. The effort it would have taken each meal would have been an inefficient use of their time.”

  “Hunter wasn’t nearly as bad as she was. He’s definitely gifted, like his father, but the drive just isn’t there.”

  “I have a feeling he enjoys coming down to eat. He speaks highly of you and Rand.”

  “He’s always been a momma’s boy.” She frowns, looking down at the menu. “Which is partially my fault. After Lucy went missing, I smothered him.”

  The waiter approaches the table, and I let Ernestine order for me, trusting her judgment.

  “No one can blame you for being protective. Especially when a very real danger existed.”

  “Unfortunately, it wasn’t just to protect him. I was selfish. With everything that happened with Lucy, not just her disappearance, but her betrayal…I just kept him close. I was so scared of losing another person.”

  “Well, it seems like everything turned out alright.”

  She looks up at me with a deadpan gaze. “I’m not so sure of that, and it’s one of the reasons I decided to ask you out to brunch.”

  “Oh?”

  “You’re the first woman Hunter’s ever developed feelings for, but unfortunately, that’s not even the worst part of it. He’s never even had a strong friendship. It’s not that people don’t like him, it’s just that he never lets them in. He knows all the big names, and they do lunch and rub elbows, but there’s no true kinship.”

  My heart aches for her.

  “Trying to fix my mistakes only made it worse. I figured if he found himself a partner, he’d always have someone, like I have Rand. When he wasn’t finding them on his own, I tried to help matters.”

  “I can understand why you did that.”

  “It was dumb, I fully admit it. He thinks I’m obsessed with him becoming a father so I could have a grandchild, but the truth is very different. When Rand and I are gone, I want him to have an anchor in this world. Someone he can love more than anyone. Someone he can trust. I want it so badly for him.”

  Ernestine grows reticent, but I’m unsure how to fill the heavy void that lies between us.

  Luckily, the crêpes arrive, and we dig into our food.

  “This is delicious,” I finally say, then fork a savory bite of roasted bell pepper and caramelized onion into my mouth.

  “Wait until the dessert crêpe comes. Strawberries and a chocolate hazelnut spread topped with powdered sugar. It’s to die for.”

  “I always figured women like you never ate things like that, which means your figure is entirely genetic and completely unfair.”

  Ernestine laughs so hard a piece of mushroom flies from her mouth. Her cheeks turn a deep shade of crimson. “Gosh, I hope nobody else saw that.”

  “Your secret’s safe with me.” I wink.

  Ernestine’s face grows serious. “About what I said earlier…I just meant that if Hunter seems distant, it’s not you. I’ve made mistakes, and now it seems he has to pay for them.”

  “I think you’re being a little too hard on yourself. You were protecting your son. Who knows why Lucy went missing. It could have been that someone was targeting you, and they very well may have gone after Hunter next if you hadn’t taken such good care of him.”

  She exhales slowly, her lips pursing in a way that unsettles me. “I appreciate you saying that.”

  “I didn’t mean to imply that it was your fault your sister was taken!”

  “That’s not how I took your words, though, over the years, that has haunted me.”

  There are so many things I want to ask, but every question I have could lead to unfortunate consequences, such as hurting Ernestine or even making her mad. I loathe gossip and would hate to appear nosy, but there are some risks worth taking in life, and digging a little just might be the thing that breaks the case.

  “It must have been hard having a best friend to tell all your secrets to one day, only to have them disappear with no explanation.”

  The look she gives me is not one that I expect. It’s serious, not at all sad.

  “I’m going to be honest with you, though heaven knows I should lie,” she says, sipping her mimosa. “It’s good that she’s gone.”

  The truth doesn’t surprise me, considering what Lucy was up to. Still, I raise my eyebrows in feign shock.

  “And…you’re not a good actress.”

  “Pardon?”

  “I was so hopeful that Hunter had found someone that would bring him joy. I guess that may never happen.”

  I feel myself go numb, unable to even speak.

  “Enough of the games, Arinessa. I’ve known a good number of actors in my day, all better than you. You had me fooled for a bit, but I can see through you now.”

  “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I sputter out.

  “You want to know about Lucy. So many do, and I don’t blame you. The thing is, though…it’s not just your curiosity. Hunter recruited you, didn’t he?”

  I feel dizzy, like I’m going to faint. Ernestine is looking at me with narrowed eyes and a tight jaw.

  “Just tell me what it is he wants.”

  “He wants you to be happy,” I reply without thinking.

  “By digging up old ghosts?”

  “He thinks that by finding out what happened to your sister, that you’ll heal in some way.”

  “The thing is, I’ve already healed.”

  “Really? I mean, you left your career behind, something you loved.”

  She looks away, refusing to meet my gaze. “Maybe I did love it once. I don’t love it now. I don’t miss my sister. I didn’t even know her. Not since long before she disappeared.”

  “Is that why she stopped going to work? Because you didn’t get along?”

  She sneers, shaking her head in disgust. “Let’s just say our relationship was beyond repair at that point.”

  “That’s not what you told the cops.”

  “But it’s what I’m telling you. Back then, we didn’t want questions. I did feel guilt, but I didn’t miss her. And whatever liability I once felt is long gone.”

  “Oh…”

  “What did my son promise you?”

  “If I solved the cold case, one million dollars.”

  Ernestine laughs. “And if you don’t?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Then I’m afraid you’re about to go home empty-handed because I’m positive he made you sign an NDA, which would exclude you from profiting in any way.”

  “Actually, I’m not so sure of that.”

  Her brow lifts in surprise. “You found something?”

  “No. I’m pretty sure the case will stay cold, but I’m not going home empty-handed.”

  “Are you threatening blackmail?”

  “No, not at all. If anything, I owe your son a great debt.”

  “How so?”

  “For one, he got my mother into treatment that she wouldn’t have received otherwise.”

  Her eyes grow round with surprise. “That’s good. I’m glad.”

  “But also, I have a lot of demons of my own when it comes to personal relationships. Hunter is…helping with that.”

  “My sister was an introvert, so I understand.”

  “Oh, it’s not just that. Sure, I’m an introvert, but that never really affected my relations with people. Recently, however, well, let’s just say I was hurt by someone.”

  “I know betrayal.”

  “Hunter is the only man I’ve trusted since, though admittedly, I barely know him.”

  “I’m going to go out on a limb and say your trust is not misplaced.”

  “What little good it does me now. I imagine he’ll send me home after he finds out you know why I’m at the estate.”

  “Then let’s not tell him.”

  I quirk a brow. “Seriously?”

  “He needs to think he’s done everything in his power to solve my sister’s cold case, so when you come up empty-handed, maybe he can finally let it rest.”

  “Like you said, I’m not a great actress.”

  “Then, don’t act. Do everything you can to solve the case, but don’t let him know I’m aware of what you’re doing.”

  “You make that sound so easy.”

  “Just focus on the work. I promise you, though—you’re not going to find anything. Rand owns one of the biggest tech corporations in the entire world. Whatever computer skills you have aren’t going to best the teams of people he’s had scouring for any tidbit of information over the past twenty-plus years…legally or otherwise.”

  “I figured.” I sigh heavily, my shoulders slumping. “So, is there anything you can tell me? Any clue that hasn’t made it into a file?”

  “My sister is probably dead. If I had to guess, she was taken from some running trail by a pervert, and her body was never recovered. It’s horrible and grotesque, but the closest thing to the truth we’ll ever know.”

  There’s no hint of skepticism in her voice. It’s clear that she’s come to that conclusion long ago.

  “There’s something I want to tell you,” I say shyly. “If we’re keeping secrets, mind keeping another?”

  “What is it?”

  “Hunter is…so amazing. Everything about him. I know you probably think I’m saying this because he’s a rich Davies, but that’s not it.”

  “You don’t strike me as the gold digger type, and trust me, I know how to spot them.”

  “It would be easy if this were just about money,” I chuckle dryly. “This…hurts.”

  Her face grows serious, and her hand reaches across the table, grabbing mine.

  “Arinessa, you listen to me. I made the mistake once of not telling someone I loved how I felt about them, and it led to chaos you can’t even imagine. Before you leave, you better tell my son how you feel, regardless of the consequences. I promise you, you’ll regret holding it in.”

  “Oh, my heavens—is that Ernestine Whitmore!” a voice cries out.

  We look over to see an older woman, her hand covering her mouth. A little boy tugs at her arm.

  “Grandma, I want donuts! Not some fancy pancake. Do-nuts!” the boy pleads.

  Ernestine flashes a toothy grin. “Why, hello. It’s not too often I get recognized.”

  “Who could miss you!” the woman says in disbelief. “You’re like royalty. Could you sign something for me?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Grandma—I’m hungry!” the boy whines.

  “Just-just give me a moment, dear. Imagine how you would act if Spiderman were here.”

  She digs in her purse, pulling out what looks like a little notepad she uses for her grocery list, turns to a fresh page, then hands it to Ernestine. “Could you make it out to Elenor?”

  Ernestine smiles, taking a pen from her clutch, and positions the notepad to begin signing. By now, the child is in a fury that his grandma stopped on the way to breakfast, and smacks his hands down angrily on the table.

  My mimosa tips over, drenching me with the orange delight. Ernestine, however, managed to catch her own glass with her right hand, never taking a break from signing with her left.

  To be honest, it was a more impressive feat than any of the acting I’ve seen her do in the movies.

  “Hughie! Look what you did!”

  The child glares up at his grandma, pleased with himself.

  The woman’s face contorts in horror. “I am so sorry—”

  “It’s fine,” Ernestine assures her.

  “Her outfit—”

  “Is replaceable,” Ernestine cuts in. “And look on the bright side, now you have quite a story to tell your friends.”

  I already liked Ernestine, but now, I adore her. She’s down to earth, completely unlike what I would expect a woman with her accomplishments to be like.

  She hands the small notepad back to Elenor. “Here ya go.”

  After they leave, Ernestine turns to me. “Why don’t we head back to the tower. You can get cleaned up and continue on your mission, and I’ll act charmed by you.”

  “Okay…I do want you to know that I’m sorry for any deception.”

  “Oh, no reason to be. I don’t blame you for taking the job, and I sincerely hope you get something out of it.”

  Arinessa

  After a confusing brunch, I enter Hunter’s suite to him pacing the floor, an anxious expression on his face.

  Sonnets could be written about his flawless features, though I would not be the one to write them as I suck at rhyming and balancing syllables. Every inch of him is exquisitely chiseled, from the shape of his brow, to his strong jawline, to his muscular chest my hand was against the other night. He is perfection, in an absolute science kind of way.

  The way he looks at me lets me know that I’m not the only one with something on their mind, though I doubt he carries the burden I do.

  Nothing feels good about lying to him. Not after our most recent interactions. It’s not like I’m going to stop my work. I’m going to do everything I can to help him solve the case. I just can’t let him know that Ernestine is aware of why I’m here.

  His eyes rove my body, an appreciative look on his face. “You look…splendid.”

  Happiness bloomed inside me. The dress is gorgeous and fits me like a dream. I’m glad he’s noticed.

  “Thanks. Some kid knocked the table and my drink spilt on me, but you can barely tell now that it’s dry.”

  “Other than that, how was brunch?” he asks.

  “It was nice. Your mother is a lovely woman.”

  “Did she try to convince you to carry the next Davies heir?”

  My gut twists. Every part of me loathes this conversation.

  Still, I smile. “I could tell it was at the forefront of her mind, though she managed to control herself.”

  He casts me an ambiguous smile that doesn’t seem at all joyful.

  Oh, God—he knows!

  “How are you?” I ask.

  “While I was away, I did some reconnaissance.”

  “Oh?”

  “I asked my father some questions, trying not to let it seem too much like an interrogator.”

  “How did that go?”

  “I learned a lot, though nothing about the case,” he says. “All in all, it was a good chat.”

  I decide not to question him further, though I have no idea what the hell that meant. Instead, I take my place behind the laptop, entering into the mainframe.

  Why are you still here? Ernestine all but confirmed you’ll come up with nothing, and you don’t get paid for nothing.

  But I knew what I was getting into long before my talk with Ernestine. The reason I’m still here is the same reason I was still here yesterday: Hunter.

  Some insane part of me craves him. He’s become like a teenage crush, that one that you have when you first realize that boys turn into men and they’re so much more than the spit wads they threw in grade school.

  I never got to act on any teenage crush, and when I finally had my first experience bordering on romance, it ended in disaster.

  And while I’d love to be able to confess my feelings as Ernestine suggested, she has no idea what it’s like to suffer rejection, which is the inevitable outcome to any confession I make to Hunter.

  Staying is torture.

  I have to leave.

  “Hunter, I’m wasting my time here.”

  I look away, because I’m too much of a coward to face him, but I hear him stop and pivot in my direction. I can’t recall a time I’ve ever felt this naked when fully clothed.

  “Giving up so soon?”

  “You know as well as I do that your father owns a tech company. He employs some of the best technical minds on the planet, and I’m sure he’s done everything he can to find your aunt. What I’m doing is—”

  “Insightful. To be honest, you got me thinking about things in a way I haven’t before.”

 

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