Page 153 of Wrecked
“Our government contacts are freaking out,” said one of his directors. “Was the breach across all sectors?”
“Eleven residential accounts were hacked,” Hawk reiterated. “Residential only.”
“Right,” said the same director. “You did just say that. Sorry.”
“We’ll get through this,” Hawk said, “and it’ll make us a stronger company for it.”
A few nodded, one leaned back in his chair, two even cracked smiles.
“If you’ve got all the accounts on lockdown, how can I access them?” asked one of his managers.
“You can view them, but you won’t be able to make any changes,” Hawk explained. “It’s a temporary annoyance to ensure our clients’ data and videos stay secure.”
Once everyone’s questions had been answered, Hawk returned to his office to investigate his former employee, Wayne. The installer had worked for another home security company for a few years, then had a string of jobs that lasted less than a year each. He had no priors, wasn’t married, and was juggling three girlfriends at the same time.
While Hawk could see how the guy would be miffed for getting fired, it seemed out of character that he’d retaliate so aggressively. But he had a Hawk Security laptop, so he could have accessed these accounts, turned on their cameras, and captured the footage.
Armed with this information, Hawk remote-wiped Wayne’s laptop. His HR director should have taken the laptop when Wayne was let go, but the ball had been dropped. Then, he sent out a company-wide email so all his employees were told about the breach. He stayed high level, didn’t mention Wayne, and reassured everyone that the situation was being remedied ASAP.
His desk phone rang with a call from reception. “Nicholas Hawk,” he answered.
“Boss man, Addison Skye is here to see you.”
As he trotted down the stairs, he checked his cell phone. She’d texted him twenty minutes ago. “On my way.”
In the lobby, he spotted Addison at reception, still in her auburn wig and sporting red-rimmed, fake prescription glasses. Warmth blanketed his chest when their eyes locked across the room.
Her smile made his heart pound hard.
I’m falling in love with her.
“Hey,” she said. “Reception looks great.”
Earlier in the year, before relocating his customer service and system monitoring teams into the building, Hawk had hired an architect and interior designer to upgrade work spaces, break rooms, even the two-story lobby. Having everyone in the same building had made all the difference. His employees loved the changes. He loved the impact the renovations and the consolidated teams had on productivity and morale.
Two employees skirted by. “Hey, boss man.”
“Hey, guys.”
His Director of Residential Accounts veered over. “That meeting made all the difference. I calmed down, and that helped when I talked to my teams.”
Hawk shot her a smile. “I got this, no worries.”
When he turned back to Addison, she was smiling. “What?” he asked.
“You’re king of the castle,” she murmured.
He winked. “What can I say, baby?”
Stepping close, she stroked his arm, sending a whoosh of energy through him. “You’re super sexy running the show. You have all the power.”
“I always have all the power, babe,” he said, glancing at her mouth.
Damn, I want to kiss her.
Her cheeks flushed with color. “I love that about you,” she whispered, her gaze drilling into his while the air turned chaotic around them. “Are you handling the breach?”
“Hell, yeah,” he replied. “Did Coop drop you off?”
