Hacker Beloved, page 5
"Sounds good. Zayla, why don't you go change? Asher and I’ll set the table."
The front of her shirt had a large red stain.
"Sure." She bolted down the hall toward the bedrooms.
I followed CJ into the kitchen, and he stopped me by setting his palm against my chest. I looked up and saw his slightly panicked look. "I almost kissed her."
I wrapped my arm around his waist and pulled him in close, "Well, she didn't look like she was pulling back. I'm not angry. We will need to explain to her how our dynamic works."
"I slipped about Tessa… then I spilled about how you're my Dom, a-and we took Tessa into our relationship," CJ stammered.
I brushed my hand along CJ's jawline. He hadn't shaved for a couple of days. "We were drinking wine and spilled some. I was trying to help her clean up, and the next thing I knew I was about to kiss her."
I took a deep breath and gathered my thoughts. "What do you want?" I asked.
"You. But last night in bed, all I could think about was the three of us together. Then when our hands touched, it was like my skin caught fire."
"We can either broach the subject with her more about us," I stated, my eyes darted to the hall doorway to make sure we were still alone. "Or we continue the case and when it’s done, head back to Ft. Lauderdale and never add anyone else to our relationship. I think it's time we stop this limbo we are living in and figure out exactly what we want."
CJ leaned forward and pressed his lips against mine for a moment. "Fuck, I love you so much. Part of me is worried about opening my heart to someone else. We barely know Zayla. I think I got caught up in her beauty. For now, let's solve the case, and when we get home, let’s talk about steps moving forward."
"I'm okay with that. Let's get this food laid out, and I can tell you what Antonio said."
Zayla cleared her throat from the door. She'd changed into a black t-shirt. "Hey."
I motioned her over to the table. "I wasn't sure what you liked, so I got a bunch of different things." Her eyes darted between CJ and me. "Sit, and we will clear the air."
She took the seat across from CJ.
"From my quick conversation with CJ, he told you about our relationship and our past. I want to make something clear. We don't expect that from you…and I'm not mad about how I found you guys."
I glanced over at Zayla and noticed her biting her lip. Her gaze focused on the fork in her hand. "I'm not sure what I was thinking," she whispered.
My heart raced as I fought the urge to reach over and hold her hand. "CJ and I both find you attractive," I said, swallowing hard. "We don't want to make you uncomfortable, so we will try to be on our best behavior moving forward."
Zayla tilted her head to the side, confusion knitting her brows together. "What happens if I don't want you to be on your best behavior?"
CJ nearly choked on his fry and coughed into his hand. "I'm not sure you understand what you're saying," he said, eyes wide.
"I do," Zayla said, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
"How about we take one day at a time and get to know each other while we solve this case?" I asked, willing my voice to stay steady.
"Okay," Zayla said slowly, setting down her fork as she pushed her food around her plate for a moment. "What did you find out?"
"I spoke with the lead detective and explained what happened," I said, grateful for the distraction from our earlier conversation. "He's going to want to speak to you as well. For now, he took my statement, and after a while, he agreed to share what they have with us."
She nodded, but sadness still lingered behind her eyes. "When he’d said punishment, I never expected him to kill someone." She took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and determination shone in her eyes. "After I finish eating, I need to work on the podcast he wants me to post."
The fact that we were about to do what the killer demanded didn't sit well with me. "We will help you research whatever case he wants you to target," I said firmly. My gut told me it would be something that would benefit the killer in some way.
For the rest of the meal, Zayla asked more questions about AA Security and what Kat does. When we finished eating, Zayla grabbed her laptop from the Xavier’s office and met us in the living room. CJ cleaned off the Spytrap before he let her connect to the internet.
I hovered over her shoulder as she pulled up her email. She had a hundred emails from fans, but one stuck out. The subject line, ‘Time is ticking for you to push this story.’
Her fingers trembled as she clicked on the email which contained instructions to investigate a string of disappearances in Ft. Lauderdale. Seven names were listed at the bottom of the email. That would make searching a hell of a lot easier with our entire team based out of Ft. Lauderdale.
"How about we get Kat and Antonio on a conference call? I know we planned one later today, but I think they could assist us."
CJ moved quickly, connecting a camera to the big flat-screen TV with practiced ease. He clicked open the White Hat Meeting software, developed by him and Bridget, that made eavesdropping virtually impossible.
Antonio and Kat's faces filled the screen. They were in their home office. Antonio sat in his desk chair with Kat perched on his lap. "Hey, everyone!" she said cheerfully, waving her hand at us.
"Hi!" Zayla said back.
Kat leaned forward, her nose filling up much of the screen. "Are they treating you okay? If not, I can be up there in a few hours. Hell, even if they are, I can still come."
Zayla chuckled, "Asher and CJ have been nothing but helpful."
Antonio wrapped his arm around Kat's waist and pulled her back. "What's going on?"
CJ tapped on the keyboard and displayed the email on the screen.
"The killer wants Zayla to investigate these strings of disappearances in Ft. Lauderdale. I was wondering if you could reach out to our contacts at the Police station. My guess, this was something he did."
"No problem," Antonio said.
"Honey," Kat paused. "I don't think we should reach out to the police."
Antonio groaned, and I immediately knew this was about to get complicated as shit.
"Can someone explain?" Zayla asked.
CJ pinched his brow as he said, "If I had to guess, these disappearances have one thing in common, and it's Kat.
Kat put her hands on her hips and glared at the screen. "Each one of those fuckers abused their wives or girlfriends. The police did jack shit. Hold for a second." Kat disappeared from the screen to return a moment later with a yellow folder and pulled out a piece of paper. "Ryan Wetly, the leader of the Scarlet Scorpions. He killed two of his previous girlfriends, and that doesn't count the other reports I found on him. Derek Patel, his second in command—"
"Stop," Antonio's sighed, "Kitty Kat, you promised."
"And I stopped. Those names are from years ago," Kat replied like that made it so much better.
Zayla tapped my leg. "Wait…You're saying Kat killed someone?"
"Nobody is saying that," Antonio cut in.
CJ tapped his fingers on the keyboard. "I assume this fucker knows about Kat since he was monitoring Zayla's computer. What I can't figure out is how he knows these disappearances are tied to her." CJ paused and stared at the screen. "If hypothetically you did take out a gang, how far back are we talking?"
Zayla raised her hand, "I have a question."
"You can just ask. No need to raise your hand," I commented.
"Who helped you take out these men?" Zayla asked.
Kat's eyes narrowed. "Why would I need help?"
Zayla continued. "Only reason I'm asking is Asher and CJ said the killer couldn't be a woman because moving my body would be too hard for a female."
Now Kat's narrowed eyes were glaring in my direction, and my brother covered his mouth. "Hey! Kat, you are a trained assassin, and always come prepared."
"Wait, what?" Zayla asked.
CJ pulled her close and murmured something into her ear. Tension hung thickly in the air, so I spoke up to try to defuse it. "I was wrong. It is plausible the killer might be a woman. It's just that not many are as talented as you."
"We need a second," CJ said as he clicked the mute button on the screen. "Who's going to tell Kat she needs a bodyguard? The person earlier today was Zayla's neighbor, and when Zayla didn't comply, she was killed. There is no doubt in my mind that Kat will be at risk."
Fuck. "She's not going to like this," I added.
Zayla pointed at Kat, "But she insisted I have you guys come to help protect me."
CJ nodded. "Except Kat will think she can take this on herself."
There was no way around what I had to recommend. I motioned for CJ to unmute the meeting. "Kat, you know I love you," I said cautiously, eyeing Antonio. He grinned at me from behind Kat's back.
Kat crossed her arms over her chest and glared daggers in my direction.
“You are not on my good list tonight,” she muttered through gritted teeth.
I struggled to find the right words, knowing that this next sentence could be my last one ever.
“We have reason to believe the killer is coming after people close to Zayla. So until we solve this, you’ll need a—"
“I swear if you finish that sentence, I’ll send Patty after your ass,” Kat shot back.
Patty was part of our group and an excellent hacker. When her father’s indiscretions came to light, he stepped down as king, and Patty was forced to take his place as Queen of Shailia. She spent most of her time in meetings with world leaders. Her true passion had always been cybersecurity. So, if she got a chance to hack someone, technically whenever someone asked her to hack, she jumped on the chance. My only saving grace had been the fact that CJ could fix anything they sent our way.
Zayla leaned forward. "Can you send me all the notes you have on these men? Maybe I can start the podcast talking about the gang and how the seven went missing. Highlight the crap they did too, so nobody will care when we don't solve who the killer is."
Kat's nodded, "I'll also reach out to the new leader. We had an understanding. My guess is he's the one who ratted me out. Looks like it might be time to look back into the Scarlet Scorpions."
"Anything we find on the Scarlet Scorpions, will be turned over to the police," Antonio muttered.
"Sure," Kat said a little too quickly. "Though I'm not sure how I feel about being the star of your serial killer podcast. Technically, I'm a vigilante."
Antonio ran his hand through his hair. "Kitty Kat, you and me are going to have a long talk after this meeting."
Kat bounced on Antonio's knee. "Will said talk involve spankings?"
"I swear you don't make a single day of my life boring." Antonio turned his eyes to Zayla. "Please don't lead the cops back to my wife. Her heart is in the best place."
"Okay," Zayla responded.
"Thanks. Kat will send her notes in a minute. If you have any questions or updates, text them to me. I'm going to be busy for a while," Antonio grumbled before he closed out the meeting, and the screen went black.
I glanced over to Zayla, and she was chewing on her bottom lip.
"What's going through your head?" I asked.
Zayla waved at the black screen. "I don't see how she could take out seven men."
CJ pushed his laptop to the side and said, "Kat's parents were murdered by people her uncle hired. At the time, she didn't know this, and she went into her uncle's care. He was the director of the CIA. When she turned sixteen, he enlisted her, and she trained to become a CIA Officer. But her uncle used her more as an assassin. Kat didn't have many people close to her for years. I’ll let her tell you the story about how she reconnected with Antonio, but when she did, she started working at the Ross Foundation Women's Center. She had wanted to protect every one of those women and still does. But her years as an assassin tend to lead her into old habits. Which is more than likely why these men have disappeared."
"Wow," Zayla said. Her computer beeped, and she glanced at the screen. "My contact at the police station sent me something."
She clicked on the email, and my eyes scanned each line. The medical examiner had discovered a small incision on the neighbor woman's shoulder that was partially healed. In the report, it said the capsule was activated by an RFID signal, indicating that the neighbor may have had it implanted before her death. And whatever was inside of it cut through her skin.
"Zayla, did you ever wake up or find a small cut you didn't remember getting?"
"No," she replied. "Why?"
"Because he's worried you might have one of these capsules somewhere in your body," CJ answered.
Zayla's eyes widened, "Uh…how do we find out?"
CJ squeezed her hand reassuringly and replied, “We can examine your body to look for small bumps and cuts. That will tell us if you have one of these capsules inside you.”
Zayla whispered and then audibly gulped, "Okay."
My eyes connected with CJ. Somehow we had to be on our best behavior and make sure she didn't have this capsule inside of her.
7
ZAYLA
I moved my laptop from my lap to the couch cushion and stood up in the middle of the living room. Asher’s eyes flicked from CJ to me as I pulled the bottom of my t-shirt over my head. His gaze lingered for a moment and then he cleared his throat.
“What are you doing?” Asher asked, his voice husky and uncertain.
If the killer had put some device in me, I wanted it out immediately. "You said you would check for the device.”
CJ cleared his throat. “Should we do this in the middle of the living room or the bedroom?”
I hadn't thought the process through much. “What do you think would be easier?”
Asher stood and grabbed my shirt from my hand. His eyes darkened as he studied my face. "Let's head to the bedroom. Xavier more than likely has cameras in the common areas of the house."
“Oh,” I said softly, feeling way too exposed with my shirt off and barely daring to meet Asher's gaze. He moved his hand slightly, just enough to brush against mine when I reached for the garment. "You already have it off. No point in putting it back on to take it right off again."
The three of us walked down the hall toward the bedroom. CJ's hand rested on the small of my back, sending a wave of electricity throughout my body. Now wasn't the time to get turned on, but I couldn't help myself.
Asher flicked the light on when we entered their bedroom. "You'll need to remove your pants as well."
I lowered my jeans and stood in the center of the room. CJ's eyes roamed up and down my body before he cleared his throat. "Why don't you lay on the bed face down, and we will check your back first?"
The moment my head hit the pillow my nose filled with Asher's mountain fresh scented body wash.
Asher started with my arms, slowly digging his strong fingers into the muscle tissue around my wrists and working his way up. It felt like a massage, but much more intimate than a regular pampering session. Every stroke of his hands seemed to send waves of comfort through me, and I found myself beginning to relax into the sensation.
CJ brushed aside my long hair and massaged gently at the base of my neck before pushing his fingers deeper into the muscles. His touch was calm and steady, utterly different from Asher's but no less intoxicating. For a moment, I could only focus on their magical hands running all over my body, making my worries feel far away.
I let out a deep groan as CJ's strong fingers pressed into the knot in my back, kneading the tight muscles with slow, deliberate circles. I felt the tension dissipate under his expert touch.
"Were you a masseuse in another lifetime?" I asked, not wanting him to stop his ministrations.
"No," he stated and chuckled softly, "but I've had many massages from Asher over the years, and I know what feels good."
Asher shifted on the bed just behind me, and then I felt his hand brush lightly up my leg. "I'll stop when I get further up your leg. Are you comfortable with me checking everywhere? The only other option would be for you to do it yourself.”
My breath caught in my throat as I considered his insinuation, already feeling half-exposed lying on the bed in my underwear. After a moment of deliberation, I gingerly nodded my head. "If you're okay with it, I would rather have you check."
"If at any time you feel uncomfortable, we can stop," Asher added reassuringly.
Uncomfortable wasn't even close to the way these two made me feel as their hands traveled across every inch of my body.
CJ checked every inch of my back before his fingers traveled to my calves. In contrast, Asher had made his way up to my thighs. I realized their touch had turned me on.
"I need to pull your leg to the left a little," Asher said.
"Are you sure?" I asked, stalling. I worried they could see proof of how much I was turned on if I had to spread my legs.
Asher's fingers paused. "Do you want me to stop? I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable."
"I think she is feeling something else," CJ paused. "I bet she's worried about what her panties might show if you pull her legs apart."
“Stop,” Asher said firmly, and CJ immediately let go of my leg. I braced myself for punishment or a reprimand. Instead, he placed his hand on my lower back in a comforting gesture. His thumb made circles on my skin before he spoke again. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about, Zayla. It’s normal to become aroused when something feels good. Now, you can open your legs, or we can stop and let you go into the bathroom to finish this exam yourself.”
My mind raced as I tried to find the courage to voice my thoughts, but CJ rescued me from my discomfort. He squeezed my calf gently in what felt like an encouraging embrace before he spoke. “You can say anything to us. If our touch turns you on, that’s okay. And let me say…hearing Asher give you a command was really sexy. From experience, he doesn’t like it when his commands are dismissed.”
My only foray into BDSM was a one-night stand years ago, but it was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I took a deep breath and opened my legs without hesitation.
