Page 43 of A Cursed Heart
Much of the fire in Salvatore drained out. “Why didn’t you tell me about the folder?”
“Why didn’t you ask when I said I wanted a night off? I told you there was shit working in the background.”
His anger flamed high once more. “I think you’ve forgotten who you are working for.”
Ry? Do you need me?
Not sure. He’s really unpredictable today.
“I suggest, Mr. Mallory, that you get to work and start delivering results.”
Unsure of how to placate him, I decided to at least look like I was making progress. I hadn’t completely lied to him, I’d built the hack with a timer, so that I could strip more and more files from his system before breaking into the other one.
Half an hour passed with me occasionally typing and clicking the mouse. I was growing frustrated and could feel the tension in the room rise.
“Anders, perhaps you should bring me little Freya and the boyfriend. Maybe then Mr. Mallory will be more productive!”
Fuck.
Do you need me?
What can you do?
I can copy what you’ve been doing to take the files faster, then you can change the timer to do the hack. Let me come. I’ll be invisible.
Please. Get Mrs. Roberts down the hall to watch Freya.
Alright. Be there soon.
“That’s not necessary. I’m just struggling to get this part right without setting off alarms.”
I spent the minutes between Salvatore’s warning and Mal’s arrival sweating. All the while, I typed and clicked, shortening the sequence.
Mal’s familiar scent wrapped around me.
Add my phone and throw as much as you can on there.
Typing in earnest, I connected the device easily. Off to the side, I saw Salvatore frowning.
“Who knew all I had to do was threaten the family? It’s good to see that you have sense.” Salvatore took a seat opposite me. His pale blue eyes were chilling. His next words almost had me freezing in shock. “Did you know my security team rebuilt some of the footage I was asking you about?”
“They did?”
“Yes. They said the interference began normally, as if it were a seasoned pro. Then it vanished like magic.”
I barely restrained my flinch. He knew! He had to.
What do we do?
Nothing. He’s trying to get a rise out of you. Start the hack into the server if you are ready.
“Do you believe in magic, Ryan?” Salvatore asked in an icy voice. His gaze never left my face. It felt like a brand.
“No, isn’t it just sleight of hand like they have at the circus? I was never really into that.” I gave a careless shrug while Mal squeezed my hand, telling me he was still beside me.
“What about the power of crystals?” This was the Scythe side of Salvatore. He was determined to get something out of me. His instincts, or maybe whatever trickle of magic he had, must have been telling him I was up to something.
“Next you’re going to ask me about chakras and other New Age bullshit. Look, I’m nearly in. I need to concentrate if you don’t want me to fuck this up.”
