Page 273 of Forged in the Fire

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Awareness came on fast. Pins and needles skittered across my flesh.

There were all those old folders I’d checked out before, and never once had I noticed one of those icons flash before.

I tried to ignore it, clicking into a new program so I could pay some of the shop’s bills, only it flashed again.

Disquiet gripped my throat, and I glanced around the empty office. All covert and sneaky.

I hated that it was the same sensation I’d gotten the first night I was here and sneaked out of the room where I’d been placed.

Knowing I was traversing dangerous ground that was about to open from below and swallow me.

Following the path anyway since I was reckless like that.

I wavered, hesitated, before I finally clicked on the icon.

It was easy to tell myself that Silas had given me the laptop and he hadn’t given me any instructions about staying out of certain things.

As far as I was concerned, it was free range.

Except this folder?

It came with a passcode.

My stomach twined in a torturous twist, and my heart rattled in my chest.

Why I was so unsettled, I wasn’t sure. But some things in life triggered a sixth sense, and this was one of them.

I swept my tongue over my bottom lip. Why couldn’t I just freaking trust the way that Silas had asked me to?

I loved the man.

Desperately.

Wholly.

Didn’t I?

So why was I looking over my shoulder again to make sure no one was around before I turned back, fingers poised over the keys?

Contemplating.

Adding.

Solving.

My nails clacked over the keys.

Silas’s birthdate.

Nope.

Elena’s.

Nu-uh.

Kai’s.

Frustration spun through me when I found it wasn’t his, either.

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