Data (Bones MC 8), page 2
“Hey, Stunner. How’s Suzie?” At the mention of the teen, Stunner’s features softened. Melted was probably a more accurate term. The man had appointed himself her protector from the second he’d seen her. Now she rarely left his side unless it was to study or do something with the ol’ ladies.
“Good. Wants a lesson.” He was referring to Data teaching the girl the inner workings of the net. How to hack. How to keep from getting hacked. Probably not something Angel, her teacher and Cain’s wife, would approve of. But she wanted to learn it, and Data loved to teach her.
“Anytime she’s ready. I’ll clear my day for her.”
Stunner nodded once, then turned to go before stopping again. “Something wrong?” he asked again.
Data sighed, scrubbing his hands over his face. “I’m not sure.”
The big man looked down the hall like he wanted to head on, but instead ducked inside and shut the door. “What can I do to help?”
Data snorted. “Good Goddamned question.” He thought about not saying anything, but he and Stunner had developed a rapport. The big man was surprisingly insightful when you could get him to say more than two words. Data slid a tablet across his desk. Stunner picked it up and looked at the images. He scrolled through, taking his time with each image. Through it all, his face remained impassive.
Finally he looked up at Data. “Pretty girl. That your woman?”
Date opened his mouth, then closed it. He cleared his throat, then tried again. “Stunner, did you see her age?”
“Yeah. She’s legal. That the girl you’re always talkin’ to? The one helpin’ you out?”
“It is. For the record, she’s not ‘my woman.’ But I think she might… Well, she might need our help.”
“Our?” Stunner tossed the tablet lightly back onto the desk before crossing those impossibly muscled arms over an equally massive chest. “You gonna get Cain to let us go after her?”
“No,” Data said on impulse. “I’m gonna dig a little deeper. See if I can learn more about her.”
“I’d’ve thought a man like you would’ve known everything there was to know about the girl already.”
“I should’ve,” he acknowledged. “But she seemed to want her privacy, and I didn’t want to push. Had no reason to push. We had a good thing goin’.”
“Somethin’ happen to change that?”
“I don’t know,” Data said, tired frustration coming out. “She says she’s married and that it was an arranged marriage. Now, she could be perfectly happy, or she could be lying to me. But none of what I found on her social media says anything about a boyfriend or a wedding. You saw where I found the public record of her marriage to Gordon Sandlin. He’s in his fifties, for Christ’s sake!”
Stunner shrugged. “Maybe it’s a money thing. Ain’t that Sandlin guy rich or something?”
“Yeah. Or something.” Data sighed. “It’s none of my business. I guess I got a little obsessed with an online persona.” He gave the younger man a rueful smile. “Happens all the time. I’m sure she’s fine.”
“But you’ve got a bad feeling.”
Date shook his head. “Forget it. I’m probably just jealous. Can’t deny the kid’s a looker. But she’s definitely too young for the likes of me. Even if she were interested.”
“Seems like you’re in a little deep if this is the first time you’ve seen her and you’re trying to lay a claim on her.”
“Old and silly. Maybe a little lonely. She’s the first woman in my life I’ve had any kind of connection with. I guess it’s the computers. Hell, I didn’t even feel much of anything for Darcy’s mother. And this girl is younger than Darcy.”
“Did you know she was that young?”
“No. She was so intelligent and seemed to have so much experience with networks and security systems, I just assumed she was older.”
Stunner stood. “Go with your gut.” He nodded once as if agreeing with what he’d just said, then left Data’s office abruptly.
Go with your gut…
Well, his gut was screaming at him that something was off. With a sigh, he powered up his computer with its bank of monitors. It was time for some serious work. He hoped Suzie took a couple of days before she decided she was ready for another lesson, because Data had the feeling he was going to be occupied for a while.
An hour later, a message notification flashed from his private chat room with Zora.
Fab Z-Na: Hi
D Bonez: You good?
It was a full minute before she responded back. Data was afraid she wasn’t going to answer. Maybe this was just a social thing. She didn’t usually make small talk other than to touch base on Saturdays, but maybe she’d gotten bored.
Fab Z-Na: You know. Don’t you.
D Bonez: That you’re married to one of the wealthiest men in the area? That his business is in trouble? That you were basically sold to him by your father to cover money given your father by Sandlin? Yeah, cutie. I know. I’m still digging into why your father needed that money, but my guess is it’s not going to matter for long.
Fab Z-Na: Feds are looking into it. Something about financial practices and defrauding the federal government.
D Bonez: What do you need?
There was another silence. Data knew without question he’d give her whatever she asked for. He hadn’t thoroughly investigated the matter, but Zora was an innocent in this. He’d give her whatever she wanted. Money. Safety. A fucking Labradoodle if she said she needed it. He didn’t care.
Fab Z-Na: I don’t know. I mean, if the feds come in, they’re going to take everything both of them have. I could care less about Gordon, or even my dad, but I refuse to be homeless and I refuse to keep things that were paid for by other people.
D Bonez: You gonna leave?
Fab Z-Na: Yes. First, I’m going to send you some files. I hate using you like this. I don’t want anything to come back on you. But you have more contacts than I do and I wouldn’t have a clue who to send them to anyway.
D Bonez: Files?
Fab Z-Na: Yes. From Gordon’s office. I hacked into his system and found some things. It looks like someone is already on to him, though. I cloned his hard drive so I didn’t miss anything. I don’t understand it all. I’m a computer geek, not an accountant. But it all looks shady to me.
D Bonez: Send it to me. I’ll take care of it.
Fab Z-Na: I appreciate it. I may be off the grid for a while, but I’ll let you know when I’m settled.
D Bonez: No fucking way! You tell me where you’re going and what you’re doing. I’ll meet you and make sure you’re safe.
Fab Z-Na: I appreciate it, D, but this isn’t up for debate. I’m already involving you way more than I should.
D Bonez: You’re just making things more difficult for me, Zora. I’ll spend hours finding you I could be using to plan your defense. Now, fucking tell me where you’re going!
Pause.
Fab Z-Na: I found a little place in Kentucky. It’s not big. Just a couple of acres and a small house. I worked out a deal to rent the place from the owner until we could close on me buying it. I’m calling it pay for sexual favors from my soon-to-be-former husband. It’s not enough for him to notice. Auditors might miss it, but I doubt they’ll get in a twist over it.
D Bonez: You get me the address. Ditch your phone. Buy you a burner phone and text me the address. I expect that to happen today. Understand me?
Fab Z-Na: I don’t remember you being so bossy. Who are you? LOL
D Bonez: I’m your friend. And I’m not nearly as bossy as my boss.
Fab Z-Na: I’ll be in touch.
D Bonez: You better…
Before they signed off, Data gave her his cell number. It was the first time either of them had shared personal contact information. He hoped she did as he’d told her to. If she did, he had a chance of getting her to safety before her husband or the feds found her. He had the feeling her father and her husband knew more about her computer skills than she was aware of. A testament of her youth. She was covering her tracks pretty well, but the adults in her life were much better at being crooks than she was. From everything Data had found, they were setting Zora up to take the fall.
Not. Fucking. Happening.
Chapter Two
Setting up the money transfer went off without a hitch. Zora used several pre-paid debit cards to transfer the money she needed. Not very efficient, but quick, and something the company did from time to time for employee bonuses, so the bank wouldn’t balk. Thank God she’d continued to dig into the stuff she’d downloaded. Though she wasn’t an accountant, she knew software, and the bonuses weren’t something they’d tried to hide or code. By the time she got done, she was confident it looked like the money transfers came from the company’s accounting department.
Transportation was a problem. Busses didn’t stop anywhere near where she needed to go. She managed to get a ride to Lexington, and from there, she hopped six different Uber rides steadily south until she reached her destination.
Meeting with the elderly couple who were selling her the house was a pleasant experience, and the property was everything Zora could have hoped for. An older farmhouse with two bedrooms and one bath. Enough land for a garden. Good, sturdy buildings for storage. Once she bought a cheap car, she’d be set. All she needed was a job, which was no problem because she could work from home. With her skills, she thought she could figure something out. She’d made a deal with the couple to rent for three months, then close on the house. The guy was a retired Realtor so they weren’t going through a company and could work things out on their own terms. It would allow her time to set up a bank account and transfer the money from the debit cards. She paid them the three months’ rent, then went in to open the bank account.
Next thing she had to do was secure transportation. The little town she was planning on calling home had several used-car dealers. Once her money started posting to her bank account, she was free to go shopping. She settled on a seven-year-old car with more than a hundred thousand miles on it. Not the best of choices -- certainly not as good as the Corvette she’d left behind -- but it was cheap, and it would get her from point A to point B.
She also had to find a lawyer who could start the divorce process for her. She was done being that bastard’s wife. No matter what trouble her father was in, she wasn’t letting Gordon touch her ever again.
All this had taken several days. Closer to two weeks. It wasn’t until it was way too late that she’d remembered she was supposed to buy a burner phone and text D. She knew it was too late because, while she sat on the front porch in the little swing, a flock of big motorcycles pulled into her driveway. And by flock, she meant ten or twelve. They made the most awful racket ever, and her first thought was to message her friend. Problem was, she didn’t have a phone of any kind now.
One by one, the riders shut off the bikes but didn’t get off them. Only one man took off his helmet and approached the house, a horrible scowl on his bearded face. Zora quickly jumped up and went inside. She tried to close the door, but the man was on her already. He didn’t grab her but shoved his foot inside the door so she couldn’t shut it.
She squealed, shoving her weight against the door. Like that was going to help if the man really wanted in. She was so slight there wasn’t enough of her to deter him.
“Zora, stop,” he barked.
She was so shocked he knew her name, she obeyed. Then she blinked several times. “D?”
“Data,” he corrected. “And you are in so much trouble, you can’t even conceive.” As angry as he sounded, Zora thought he’d pull her outside, but he didn’t. He held open the screen door and stepped back so she could come back outside the house. When she didn’t readily comply, he raised an eyebrow. “I will carry you if you don’t come out on your own.”
She swallowed but did as he said. Why, she had no idea. Of all the ways she’d envisioned meeting her online friend, this wasn’t it. And what was with all the bikes? She’d also thought he was closer to her age. Sure, the remark about spending time with his daughter had registered, but she’d just assumed his daughter was a child. She hadn’t asked and he hadn’t volunteered, but when she’d imagined what he might look like, it was as a college guy. Maybe slightly older. The reality couldn’t have been further from the truth.
This man -- Data -- was in his forties, bearded, and heavily muscled. He towered over her. She was only five foot three, so she guessed he was at least six-three or -four. Looking at the men behind him on their bikes, talking amongst themselves, she noticed they glanced toward Zora and Data occasionally. They were all just as big and just as strong. Just as intimidating.
Date gestured for her to go back to her perch on the swing where she’d been before, and he took one of the chairs next to her. For long, long moments, he sat looking at her, his forearms resting on his thighs, fingers laced together.
“Um,” she cleared her throat. “You, uh, want some tea? I’ve got soda, too.”
Nothing.
“I’d offer beer, but I don’t --”
“Why the fuck didn’t you do what I told you to?” He didn’t raise his voice, but the message was the same. Data wasn’t happy with her. At fucking all. “Where’s your phone?”
“I left it at back at Gordon’s house,” she squeaked.
“And the burner I told you to buy? You know, the one you were supposed to use to text me with your location so I knew where you were and had a way to contact you?”
“I forgot it, OK?” Her voice was firm and a little irritated. There. She’d found her spine. Finally. Mostly.
“Do you have your computer?”
“Yeah. But I’ve been so busy trying to get myself set up here, I haven’t been online.”
“Believe me, I’m fully aware. I’ve had our private chat open for days. I had the program set to notify my cell if you came online. My phone has been by my side or in my fuckin’ pocket constantly.” The more he talked, the louder he got, his anger obviously building. He didn’t shout at her, but his frustration with her was more than obvious. Finally, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath before continuing. “I was fuckin’ worried sick.”
She blinked several times. “What? Why would you worry about me? I can take care of myself.”
“I’m aware. Doesn’t change the fact I like knowin’ you’re good.” There was silence between them. An uncomfortable one where she fidgeted and he just stared at her, his expression unreadable but intense. “Did it ever occur to you I might care about your wellbeing?”
Of course. She got it now. Just like everyone else in her life, he worried about her abilities being taken away from him. And be Goddamned, it hurt. “I’m sure you could find any number of hackers willing and able to help when you need it,” she said, unable to keep the pain from her voice no matter how much she wanted to act like it didn’t bother her. “Hell, you’re much better than I ever thought about being. It’s not like I put you in a bind.”
He sat up straight. “What the fuck did you just say to me?”
She shrank back. This wasn’t her D. This man was scary. And an asshole, but she wasn’t saying that out loud. “I said it wasn’t like I put you in a bind.”
“Data!” One of the men called warningly from his bike in her driveway. “Simmer the fuck down, brother.” That was surprising, but not unwelcome.
Data scrubbed a hand over his face before stroking the front of his beard-covered chin with a couple of fingers. “Look,” he said. “Did it ever occur to you I might be worried about more than your abilities with a computer? Maybe I was concerned about my friend. Ever fuckin’ think of that?”
“I… Your… friend?”
“Yeah. My friend.” Data shoved himself out of the chair and held out his hand for her. “Come here, cutie.”
It was that nickname that made her stupid hand land in his and her body allow him to pull her to her feet. The next thing she knew, he’d wrapped her up in those strong arms and hugged her tightly. She was so much shorter than him, he just picked her straight up, her legs dangling in the air.
Holy. Shit. Had she ever been touched like this before? It was a fucking hug! Not a nasty, sweaty, trapping of her body by a man intent on raping her under the guise of marriage, but a real, true, affectionate hug. A man she only knew from the internet had wrapped arms as thick as her thighs around her entire body, picked her up off the ground, and put her in a fucking bear hug that was both sweet and fierce. He held her like he’d never let her go. For any reason in the world. His chin rested on top of her head briefly before she felt his lips in her hair as he kissed the top of her head.
“I thought they’d done something horrible to you, cutie. I couldn’t find you until you opened that fuckin’ bank account. I thought you hadn’t gotten away fast enough.”
There were so many questions, so many things she needed to ask him, but all she could register was the feeling of his arms, and his scent. Both surrounded her. Every breath she took brought more of that addictive scent. There was the faint scent of gasoline where he’d been riding the bike, but there was also a clean, fresh scent of wind and rain. Wild man. It was just as intense as the first impression he made on her. This man was raw. Untamed. He wasn’t the sweet, mild-mannered computer geek she’d often thought of when she communicated with him. He was… larger than life. A man straight out of a fairytale. And for those few moments he held her so tightly, so… possessively, Zora felt like she’d finally, finally found the place she belonged.
Tears sprang from her eyes before she even registered she was going to cry. She didn’t know what to do with this. Zora had always felt like she’d been searching for something. She was an only child. Her parents were never the affectionate type. In fact, she’d often thought of her nannies as more like parents than either her mother or father. But even those women had never given her the affection Zora had always needed or wanted. And still, what she’d always wanted and what she was experiencing now were two completely different things. She just couldn’t identify what the difference was.
