SIENNA

I pulled open the lounge door and stepped out; the heavy oak door thudded behind me. The swirling in my head was all about Zane. It was Always Zane. His actions played on in a maddening reel I couldn't pause. One moment, his hands were pulling me close, like I was his entire world. Next, he would turn his eyes at me distantly, like I was nothing more than a fleeting distraction. Once was a mistake. Twice was a pattern. Three times? That was a wound I couldn't keep reopening.

My mind processed every second of our encounter in the lounge. The way his lips had grazed my ear, and then his indifference afterward. That infuriating smirk as he leaned back without care, like I hadn't just bared my soul. Why did I say it? Those three words had slipped out mid-orgasm like some desperate part of me thought it could tether him to me.

His mocking laughter at my outburst still echoed in my ears, making me want to disappear. I was willing to give up anything just to rewind time and retract those words. But they were out, and now they hung between us.

I gripped the door handle of Jason's black SUV when I approached it. My fingers trembled, not from the chill but from the storm raging inside me. I didn't care about riding home with Zane. Not after that. I had driven here with Jason anyway, and now the decision felt like a small act of rebellion, and I loved it.

I yanked the door open and climbed into the passenger seat, my voice cutting through the silence. "Drive me home, Jason. Now."

Jason, leaning against the driver's side door, didn't move. His broad shoulders tensed, and his jaw ticked as he glanced toward the lounge entrance.

"Right now, Jason," I snapped, slamming my palm against the dashboard. The sting radiated up my arm, but it was nothing compared to the ache in my chest. I didn't need his hesitation because of his loyalty to Zane. I needed to get out of here and away from the man who could unravel me with a single look. Jason's dark eyes met mine through the windshield, and for a moment, I thought he would argue. But he just sighed and didn't move.

My gaze flicked to the rearview mirror, catching the lounge door swinging open. Zane stepped out, glancing towards Jason's car. Even from here, his presence made my pulse race despite everything. He approached Jason and they started to talk in low whispers. I wasn't interested in what they discussed anyway. Zane's hand clapped Jason's shoulder, and then he gave a single nod.

Jason slid into the driver's seat. "I'm sorry about the tracker," he said, his voice rough. "I didn't know it was there. And about my hesitation to leave, I can't just take you without Zane's say-so."

I stared at him for a second. "Take me to Belinda's," I said, my voice with defiance. If Zane wants to follow, he can. He's got the damn GPS, doesn't he?"

Jason nodded, starting the engine. The SUV purred to life, and we pulled onto the road. I leaned back against the seat. Even then the memory of his hands on me sent a shiver down my spine. I was still drawn to him, like a moth to a flame that would burn me alive.

My hand drifted to my neck, an absent habit, as I sought the familiar weight of my necklace. But my fingers met my bare skin, and a pang of loss hit me. I sighed, remembering the moment Zane had broken it and the pieces were in my pocket now. I reached for them, pulling out the broken pendant and turning it between my fingers.

For five years, I had worn it without question. But now, as I studied the pendant's cracked surface, I saw something I had never noticed before. I pressed my thumbnail against the seam, and with a soft click, the pendant split open. Inside was a tiny flash drive, no bigger than a dime, nestled in a foam cutout.

All this time, I'd been carrying a secret, and I hadn't even known it. My father's voice grew louder in my memory about it being my lifeline. Was this what he meant? Something on this drive that could fill the gaps in my past, the years I couldn't piece together no matter how hard I tried?

I closed my fist around the drive, my pulse racing. What was on it? Documents? Photos? Something that could explain why my memories of that time were so fragmented? Or was it something darker, something that could put me in danger?

My mind spun with possibilities, each one more unsettling than the last.

I glanced at Jason, his eyes fixed on the road, his expression unreadable. Could I trust him? He'd apologized for the tracker, but he'd still waited for Zane's approval. Whose side was he really on?

The SUV slowed as we approached our apartment building and I tucked the flash drive back into my pocket, my fingers lingering on the broken pendant. I needed to see what was on that drive. But first, I needed to shake the weight of Zane's indifference, his laughter still ringing in my ears.

Why didn't he care? Why did he pull me close only to push me away? I wanted to scream at him for answers, but the thought of facing him again made my chest tighten. I was terrified of what I would see in his eyes...nothing. Or worse, pity.

"Sienna," Jason said, breaking the silence as he parked. "Are you okay?"

I forced a nod, my throat tight. "Yeah. Thanks for the ride."

He studied me for a moment, his brow furrowed. "If you need to talk..."

"I don't," I cut him off, sharper than I meant to. I softened my tone. "I just need to see Belinda."

He nodded, but his eyes lingered on me, like he knew I was holding something back. I climbed out of the SUV. As I walked toward the building, I felt Jason's gaze on my back, and I wondered if he'd report this to Zane. Probably. The thought made my stomach churn, but I pushed it aside. I have bigger things to worry about now. For the first time in years, I felt as though I was close to something that could explain the gaps in my past. I wasn't going to let Zane or my feelings for him stop me now.

֍

Jason trailed behind me as we reached the door, his footsteps heavy on the hallway. He stopped at the porch, leaning against the frame. "I will wait here," he muttered, his voice low, giving me the privacy I desperately needed but didn't know how to use.

I knocked, rapping my knuckles softly against the wood. The door swung open, and Belinda stood there, her dark curls piled into a messy bun, a glass of red wine in one hand. Her eyes widened, scanning me from head to toe, and her lips parted in a silent question.

"Sienna? Girl, you look like you just survived a hurricane." She stepped aside, waving me in. "Get in here before you collapse."

I managed a weak smile as I stepped into the warmth of our apartment. The scent of lavender candles and leftover takeout hit me, grounding me in the familiarity of our space. Jason stood at the door, his gaze fixed somewhere over my shoulder, like he was trying not to intrude. I didn't care. I just needed to breathe.

Belinda plopped onto the couch, patting the cushion next to her. "Sit. Talk. You want wine? Coffee? A whole-ass therapy session?" she said, her eyes searching mine for the truth.

I sank onto the couch, the soft leather creaking under me. My fingers fidgeted with the sleeve of my sweatshirt. "I'm fine," I lied.

Belinda raised an eyebrow, setting her wineglass on the coffee table with a deliberate clink. "Uh-huh. And I'm the queen of England. Spill it, Sienna. What's got you looking like you just lost a fight with your own heart?"

I tried to laugh, but it came out as a sob and I quickly placed my palm to my face, covering the tears that spilled over before I could stop them. Belinda was at my side for an instant, her arms wrapped around me, while she rested her chin on my shoulder. "Hey, hey, it's okay," she murmured, her voice soft but firm. "Whatever it is, we will figure it out. Just breathe."

I clung to her, my sobs muffled against her shirt. When I finally pulled back, my cheeks were wet. "It's Zane. I'm such an idiot."

Belinda's eyes softened, but she didn't interrupt. She just handed me a tissue from the box on the coffee table and waited, her silence an invitation to let it all out. I wiped my face, crumpling the tissue in my palm. "I told him I loved him," I paused to catch my breath.

"Okay??"

"In the middle of... you know. It just slipped out, Bel. And he laughed. Like it was a joke. Like I was a joke."

Her mouth dropped open, and for a moment, she just stared at me in shock. "He laughed? Oh, hell no. What kind of man laughs at that?" She leaned back, crossing her arms. "Okay, back up. Start from the beginning. What happened?"

I took a shaky breath, my fingers twisting the tissue into knots. "We were in the lounge. Things got... intense. Like they always do with him." My cheeks burned at the memory of his hands on me, the way he had pulled me into the booth, his breath hot against my neck.

"It's like he's two different people. One minute, he's all. He acts all protective and possessive, like I'm the only thing that matters. And then after, he's cold and distant. Like he doesn't even see me." I swallowed hard, the sting of his laughter cutting deeper with every word.

"I didn't mean to say it, Bel. It just came out. And he laughed, like it was the funniest thing he'd ever heard."

Belinda's lips twitched, and for a horrifying second, I thought she was going to laugh too. But then she leaned forward, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Girl, he must've been laying it down good for you to be blurting out the L-word mid-orgasm." She wiggled her eyebrows, and a giggle bubbled out of me.

"Bel!" I swatted her arm, my tears forgotten for a moment. "It's not funny!"

"It's a little funny," she said, grinning. Come on, Sienna. You're out here confessing your love in the throes of passion? That's some romance novel shit." She dissolved into laughter, and I couldn't help but join her. For the first time all day, I felt like I could breathe.

"Okay, fine," I said, wiping my eyes. "It's a little ridiculous. But it still hurts. He doesn't trust me, Bel. He doesn't want me. Just... my body.

"What's his deal? Wait a second, did he get you so mushy you forgot your locket?"

"That's part of my gist." I reached into my pocket, pulling out the broken pendant. I held it out to her, "Zane broke it, not intentionally, but I think it was necessary."

"What do you mean?"

"I found this in my necklace. It's a flash drive, Bel. Remember, I said when my dad gave me this necklace five years ago, he said it was my lifeline. I never knew it was hiding this."

Belinda's eyes widened as she took the pendant, turning it over in her fingers. "That's some spy movie nonsense right there." She squinted at the drive, her thumb brushing over the tiny port. "This is an old-school connector. Like old generation desktop. You would need a specific port to read it." She looked up at me, her expression shifting from curiosity to concern. "What do you think is on it?"

"I don't know, but it's got to be important. Why else would he hide it like that? It could explain everything." I leaned forward, my heart pounding. "I need to know, Bel. But I'm scared. What if it's something dangerous that could hurt me?"

Belinda set the pendant on the coffee table, her fingers lingering on it. "Okay, let's think this through. I've got a colleague in IT at work who's a wizard with old tech. I could ask him to take a look, see if he can get it open."

I shook my head, my pulse spiking. "No. I don't know who to trust. What if this flash drive has something they want? Or something they're all trying to keep me from finding?" My voice trembled, and I hated how paranoid I sounded.

Belinda reached for my hand and squeezed it. "Hey, we will figure it out. You don't have to do this alone. However, you're right; we need to be cautious. We need a computer we know is secure."

Before I could respond, the door creaked open, and Jason stepped inside. "Sienna, we have got to go," he said, his voice clipped. His eyes flicked to Belinda, then to the pendant on the table. "What's that?"

I froze, my hand instinctively closing over the pendant. But Belinda, ever the fearless one, held it up. "This," she said, her tone challenging, "is a mystery we're trying to solve. You know anything about old-school flash drives, Jason?"

Jason's brow furrowed as he stepped closer, peering at the flash drive. "That's a Type-A connector. You would need an old desktop to read it." He paused, his gaze shifting to me. "There's one at the penthouse. Zane's got a setup in his office with all kinds of ports. It'd probably work."

My stomach twisted at the mention of Zane's penthouse. The thought of going back there, of being in his space after everything, made my skin crawl. But I needed answers, and if the penthouse was my only shot, I would take it. "Fine," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. "Let's go."

Belinda's eyes lit up, and she was on her feet in an instant, grabbing her jacket. "Oh, I'm coming too. No way I'm missing out on this." She shot me a grin, her excitement infectious, "What? You think I'm going to let you and Jason have all the fun? This is some Nancy Drew shit, and I'm here for it."

I couldn't help but smile, even as my heart raced. "You're ridiculous," I said. Having Belinda with me made the unknown feel a little less daunting.

Jason sighed, clearly not thrilled about the extra passenger, but he didn't argue. "Let's move, then," he said, heading for the door.

We piled into the SUV and Belinda slid into the backseat, her chatter filling the silence as Jason started the engine. "So, Sienna, you think this drive's got, like, government secrets? Or maybe it's your dad's secret recipe for the world's best spaghetti sauce." She laughed, nudging my shoulder from behind.

I rolled my eyes, but my lips twitched. "If it's spaghetti sauce, I'm gonna be pissed," I said, playing along. But my mind was elsewhere, spinning with possibilities. What if the drive held the key to my family's past? Or worse, what if it was something that could put us all in danger? I clutched the pendant tighter, my fingers tracing the jagged edges. Whatever was on that drive, I was about to find out and I wasn't sure I was ready.

ZANE.

I shifted gears, the engine roaring as I pulled out of the lounge garage. My mind churned, replaying every moment with her. The way she had melted under my touch, her body arching against mine like she was mine to claim. But she had bolted out of the lounge like I was the enemy. If she loved me, why run? Why hide? I had seen the hurt in her eyes when I laughed, but what did she expect? Trust? After everything.

My phone buzzed in the center console, and Liam's name flashed on the screen. I hit the speaker button, "What?"

"Zane, get to the east branch. Now." Liam's tone was urgent, "There's been an explosion."

"What the hell do you mean, explosion?" I swerved into the next lane, ignoring the blare of a horn behind me.

"A bomb. Part of the building's gone. We've got injured workers and the emergency crews are on site. It's a mess. You need to be here."

The line went dead just as my SOS alerts started pinging from my tablet synced to Atlas's security grid. I slammed my foot on the gas, the car lurching forward as I wove through traffic. An explosion at the east branch? Atlas was a fortress, the kind that didn't just get hit by accidents. My gut twisted. This wasn't random. It couldn't be.

By the time I reached the east branch, the scene was chaos, ambulances and fire trucks clogging the street. The air reeked of smoke and melted metal, a jagged scar ripped across the building's facade.

Shattered glass crunched under my boots as I stepped out, my eyes scanning the wreckage. Half the second floor was gone. Paramedics darted through the crowd, stretchers carrying bloodied workers. My jaw clenched, a surge of rage burning through me. The perpetrator was going to pay.

Reporters swarmed the place, their cameras and microphones thrusting in my direction the second they discovered my arrival.

"Mr. Calloway! What can you tell us about the explosion?" A woman in a black blazer shoved her recorder in my face, her eyes hungry for a soundbite.

I pushed past her, "No comment until we have more information. Let the first crew do their job." My PR training kicked in, but inside, I was seething. I needed answers, not headlines.

Liam met me at the cordoned-off entrance. "What's the damage report?" I asked, joining him.

"Six injured, two critical," he said, falling into step beside me. "A bomb was planted near the server room. It contained enough not to take the whole building, but it did enough damage."

"Cartel?" I asked, my voice barely audible over the sirens.

His eyes met mine, hard and knowing. "Who else?"

We pushed through to the makeshift command center, a tent set up for emergency coordination. Inside, I faced a dozen board members. They had been pulled from their normal lives, and now they wanted assurances I wasn't sure I could give. I stood at the head of the folding table, my hands braced against the edge, as their stares pressed into me.

"This was an isolated incident," I said. "A gas leak or faulty wiring. Whatever the investigators pin it on, we will handle it. We've already allocated an emergency fund for victim treatment and rebuilding. The branch will close temporarily while we assess the damage."

"An accident?" Madison leaned forward, her glasses glinting under the fluorescents. "Zane, this doesn't feel like a coincidence. Atlas has enemies. This is the second attack this quarter."

I met her gaze, my expression unyielding. "We don't jump to conclusions without evidence. Let the authorities do their work. Our priority is our people and making sure they're taken care of."

The lie tasted too easy but I couldn't afford to let the board spiral. If they suspected the cartel, they would pull funding, lock down projects, and that would stall our operations. I needed time to handle this my way.

The meeting dragged on with more questions from the board, I answered with practiced calm, promising transparency while giving nothing away. By the time we adjourned, my shirt clung to my back with the acrid smell of smoke.

I stepped out of the tent, hoping to catch some fresh air, but the tension didn't ease. Liam and Damian were waiting.

"Walk with me," Damian said, his eyes scanning the crowd like he expected an ambush. We moved away from the tent, toward the edge of the perimeter, where the press couldn't hear and the wreckage loomed like a warning.

Damian pulled something from his jacket. It was a scorched piece of metal, no bigger than a credit card, etched with a single line.

"Give us the girl or we burn it all down."

I read out the words as I took it, my fingers brushing the rough edges. This was about Sienna. They wanted Sienna.

"This was meters from the blast site," Liam said. They're not fucking around, Zane."

I closed my fist around the metal, the sharp edge biting into my palm. "They think they can hit us and walk away?" My voice barely contained the rage clawing at me. "They want a war, they will get one."

Damian crossed his arms,. "This isn't just a hit, Zane. It's a message. They know about Sienna. They know she's a leverage point. Question is, how much is she worth? I don't think she's worth this bomb and the lives of our labor force." he snorted

I stepped toward him, my fists clenched. "Watch your mouth, Damian. You don't know what you're talking about."

"Enough," Liam cut in, "We don't have time for this. Noah's still in the hospital, recovering from their last 'message.' Now they've hit the east branch. They're coming for Atlas, Zane, and they're not stopping until they get what they want. So what's the play? You gonna hand over Sienna, or are we fighting a war we might not win?"

I stared at him, my pulse hammering in my ears. Hand over Sienna? The thought made my stomach churn, but so did the image of Atlas burning. Now the cartel was tearing at its foundations, and Sienna was the fault line. I wanted to trust her, to believe her confession was real, but the doubts gnawed at me. What did she know? What was on that flash drive she'd hidden in her necklace?

"We don't negotiate with terrorists," I said finally. "They want Sienna, they will have to go through me. We lock down Atlas, double security, pull our key projects off-site, and get our best people on this. I want every lead on the cartel followed. Names, locations, anything."

Damian shook his head, "You're gambling with our lives, Zane. Hers too. If she's the key, maybe we cut our losses."

I grabbed his collar, yanking him close, "Say that again, and you're out. Atlas is mine, and so is she. You don't get to decide who's expendable."

Liam stepped between us, his hand on my chest, pushing me back. "Cool it, both of you. Damian's got a point, Zane. We need to know what Sienna's hiding."

I released Damian, stepping back, my chest heaving. "Get to work," I said, turning away, my boots crunching on the debris. "I will handle Sienna."

As I walked back to my car, the city's pulse thrummed around me, but all I could hear was the cartel's threat.

Give us the girl or we burn it all down.

SIENNA.

The elevator hummed softly as it climbed to Zane's penthouse, and I took a deep breath, letting out the air in a whiff. The glass walls reflected my tense expression. When I glanced at Belinda beside me, she could barely contain her excitement. If things hadn't hit off the way it had with Zane, I may have given myself the grace to appreciate and bask in the thrills of being in one of the finest penthouses in Los Angeles.

My fingers tightened around the broken pendant in my pocket. I was desperate to know what it held, yet the thought of being in Zane's space again made my stomach churn. I didn't want to face him, not after his laughter had sliced through my confession in the lounge.

Belinda, oblivious to my inner chaos, grabbed my wrist, "Girl, I can't believe I'm about to see Zane Calloway's penthouse," she said with a gleeful voice.

"You are Bel," I said, half interested.

"You know how many blogs rave about this place? I'm ready to be dazzled."

I forced a smile to match her enthusiasm. "It's just a fancy apartment, Bel. Don't get too starstruck."

"Fancy?" She scoffed, nudging my shoulder. "This is billionaire-level fancy."

The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open to the sleek foyer. Belinda grasped it instantly, and I glanced at her. Her eyes darted from the crystal chandelier to the panoramic windows showcasing the city's glittering skyline.

"Okay, I take it back," she whispered, stepping out of the elevator. "This is next-level. Sienna?"

I didn't answer her rhetorical questions as I followed her with Jason trailing behind us silently.

Belinda was about to make a comment when Jason's phone buzzed. It kept blaring with such urgency that I froze in my step. I turned to him watching as he glanced at the screen, and I noticed his jaw tightening as he read from the screen.

"What is it?" I asked.

He met my gaze and looked towards Belinda. He was probably considering whether he could talk in her presence. Belinda was lost in our talks. She had her full attention on a painting. "This is an SOS alert. One of Atlas's branches just got hit. Bomb."

My breath caught, and the only image flashing through my mind was Zane's. Was he there? Was he hurt?

"My God. Is he...?" My fingers tightened over the pendant in my hand.

"Zane's fine," Jason cut in, as if he had read through me.

"What happened? How much damage?" I asked.

"From my report here, no deaths, just some injuries. Nothing to get you worried."

Relief washed over me, knowing Zane was safe. I nodded, relaxing my fingers around the pendant as the realization of the news hit me. Zane wasn't there. That meant we could dig into the flash drive without him watching.

"Let's get to the tech room," I said, "Come on Bel, we can do a house tour later," I said, literally pulling her away from her hypnotized state.

Reluctantly, she followed me as Jason led us through the hallway. "Sienna, you're living the dream."

"I don't live here," I muttered. The idea of calling this place home felt foreign. I didn't belong here. This was Zane's world.

The tech room was located at the end of a hallway, and upon entering, it was like stepping into a sci-fi movie. It had lots of monitors and a rack of servers humming quietly. There was a massive touchscreen table that was connected to all the monitors. Jason gestured to one of them.

"That's the one with the old ports. I am positive it will read your drive."

I pried the pendant open and extracted the tiny flash drive before handing it to Jason, my pulse racing with anticipation of what we were about to discover. "Let's do this."

"What spy movie does this remind you of, Sienna?" Belinda asked.

"Not now, Bel."

Jason plugged it into the desktop. Belinda leaned over my shoulder. "What do you think's on it? Secret government files? Don't be a bore?"

I swallowed. "I don't know. But he called it my lifeline. It's got to be something big."

"Have a look" Jason said, stepping aside just as the screen prompted for a password,

I stared at the screen, my heart sinking. A passcode? I racked my brain, searching for anything my dad might've used, birthdays, names, random numbers he had mentioned. Nothing clicked.

"I don't remember him saying anything about a code," I said, feeling some of the hope I had draining out of me.

Belinda squeezed my shoulder, "Okay, let's think. What was your dad like? Did he have favorite words, phrases, anything he repeated a lot?"

I closed my eyes, picturing my dad's face, "He used to say power is loyalty," I said, "Maybe that?"

Jason typed it in, but the screen flashed red with an Access Denied prompt. We tried variations and each attempt ended the same. With each denied access, my frustration intensified.

I started to pace the room, trying to remember anything that had happened that night that could be the likely code. Why hadn't my dad told me? Why leave me with a puzzle I couldn't solve?

Belinda flopped into a chair, blowing a stray curl out of her face. "Your dad was no joke, Sienna. What kind of accountant hides a flash drive like this?"

"Apparently, he wasn't just an accountant," I said. "I had always suspected there was more to him, but now the evidence is staring me in the face. Whatever's on this drive, will explain it all. I know it."

Jason leaned back, rubbing his neck. "We're not cracking this today. I think it needs serious decryption software, maybe even a specialist. This is beyond specialty."

I shook my head, panic flaring. "No specialists. We don't know who we can trust." The thought of Zane or the cartel discovering the drive made me uneasy.

Before Belinda or Jason could respond, the door opened, and Zane stepped in. He looked exhausted, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made me want to shrink and stand taller at the same time.

"Mr Calloway!" Belinda's squeaky scream made him turn away from mine to face her.

"Miss Adams, welcome to my humble house." He smiled softly, his eyes taking note of everything, yet he acted like he had not just caught us in his tech room. Jason stepped away from the desktop and I hastily flipped the buttons, until the screen went blank. I turned around to find Zane's eyes on me,

"Dinner's ready," he said, his eyes leaving mine to Jason and finally on Belinda.

Belinda perked up. "Dinner in a billionaire's penthouse? Count me in." She shot me a grin, oblivious to the tension crackling between me and Zane.

I wanted to argue, to stay glued to the computer until we cracked the drive, but my stomach growled in hunger, betraying me. And a part of me wanted to be near him, even after everything.

"Fine," I said, avoiding his gaze.

"Yess" Belinda grinned, marching out of the room.

֍

The air smelled of the braised duck Cantonese. I was munching on having finished the crispy boneless chicken and left with the lettuce when Belinda let out a low whistle, "Okay, Zane, this is straight-up palatial. Do you eat like this every night?"

Zane's lips twitched in a smile. "Only when I have guests."

Belinda speared a piece of salmon and grinned at Zane. "So, Mr. Billionaire, what's the deal with this place? I heard it is fully smart. Does it make your coffee for you in the morning?"

Zane leaned back. "It could, if I wanted. The system controls security basically."

"Fancy," Belinda said, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "You ever get tired of all this high-class living? Look at this table. It's bigger than our apartment."

I snorted, unable to help myself, and Belinda winked at me. Zane's gaze flicked to me, softening for a moment, but I looked away, focusing on my plate. I didn't want his warmth, not when I could still hear his laughter from the lounge.

"High-class has its perks," Zane said. "But it's just a tool. Keeps things efficient."

"Efficient's one word for it," Belinda said, gesturing to the chandelier. "I'm calling it fabulous. Sienna, you didn't tell me you were chilling in a palace."

"I don't chill here," I muttered, poking at my risotto. "I'm just... visiting."

Belinda raised an eyebrow but didn't push. Instead, she turned back to Zane. "So, what's the craziest thing this penthouse can do? Like, can it lock out unwanted guests? Or play mood music on command?"

Zane's eyes glinted, and he leaned forward, engaging her in a way that made my chest ache. "Voice-activated playlists, sure. And the security system's tight, biometric locks, motion sensors. Nobody gets in unless I want them to."

I gripped my fork tightly, his words hitting too close to home. Did he want me here, or was I just another guest he could lock out when he was done? As we finished, Zane stood, his gaze lingering on me. "You're welcome to stay," he said, "All of you."

Belinda clapped her hands, grinning. "I'm never leaving. This place is my new home."

I forced a smile, but my heart wasn't in it. I needed answers, not Zane's hospitality.

I pushed my chair back, the legs scraping faintly against the polished floor, and stood, avoiding his eyes.

"Sienna," Zane said as he rose. "Can we talk?"

"I'm keeping Belinda company," I said, hastily moving toward her. It was a flimsy excuse, but I would rather hide behind it than face him.

I gripped Belinda's arm, steering her toward the living room. "Later," I muttered, not trusting myself to say more. I couldn't let him unravel me again, not when the flash drive in my pocket held secrets I needed more than his apologies.

Belinda's eyes flicked to me, a knowing glint in them, but she played along, leaning closer with a grin. "Yeah, Zane, no boys allowed. We've got important things to discuss, like how I'm stealing your interior designer's number."

Zane's jaw tightened, but he didn't push. "Fine," he said, standing, "I'll be in the office if you need me." His gaze lingered on me for a moment longer, before he turned and strode out, his silhouette disappearing down the hallway.

Belinda didn't say anything nor resist as I pushed her along with me into the living room. The plush velvet sofas looked inviting, but I was too restless to sit. She plopped down, kicking off her shoes and tucking her legs under her,

"Okay, girl, what was that?" she asked, her eyes glinting with mischief. "You practically sprinted out of there. Zane's got those puppy-dog eyes, and you're over here playing hard to get."

I crossed my arms, leaning against the wall. "It's not a game, Bel. He doesn't care about me. Not in the way you think."

Belinda tilted her head, "Sienna, come on. I saw the way he looked at you at dinner. Like you're the only person in the room. And you're not exactly indifferent, Miss 'I Love You' Mid-Orgasm." She grinned. I grabbed a throw pillow nearest and hauled it to her.

"Stop it," I said as she dodged the throw pillow I lobbed at her.

"Can we focus? The drive's all that matters right now. I need to know what's on it."

She sighed, stretching dramatically. "Fine, fine. But for the record, you two are giving me rom-com vibes, and I'm here for it." She paused. "Zane's gone to his office. Now's our chance to call Travis."

"Who is Travis?" I asked.

"My IT guy's a genius with this stuff, and he owes me for covering his ass three times in a row."

I hesitated at the idea of bringing in a stranger. It made my skin prickle. "Can we trust him? If this drive is as big as I think, we can't risk it getting out."

Belinda waved a hand, her bracelets jangling. "Travis is a nerdy pushover. I'll make him swear on his Star Wars collection to keep it quiet. Plus, he's been trying to get me to go on a date with him. He'll behave knowing that could get him a chance."

I nodded, my pulse quickening. "Okay. Call him."

She pulled out her phone, her fingers flying over the screen. As she chatted with Travis, I glanced out the window. The penthouse's smart lights dimmed slightly, adjusting to the evening, but the tech only heightened my unease. Zane's world was too controlled and I felt like a glitch in his system.

"He's on his way," Belinda said, hanging up. "Twenty minutes, tops. Let's get back to the tech room before Zane comes sniffing around for you."

"Don't you even start" I eyed her as we made our way to the tech room. The hum of servers greeted us. I sank into the chair while Belinda leaned against the touchscreen table. I texted Jason to bring Travis to the tech room when he arrived before dropping the phone next to me on the chair.

"So, what's your bet? Spy secrets? Buried treasure map?" she asked.

I managed a weak laugh. "Knowing my dad, probably his old tax returns." But my chest tightened as I spoke. Whatever was on it, it wasn't mundane. "I just want to know why he left, Bel. Why didn't he tell me anything?"

She reached over, squeezing my hand. "We'll figure it out. Travis's got this."

A soft knock interrupted us, and Jason ushered in a lanky guy with messy brown hair and glasses that kept sliding down his nose. Travis clutched a battered laptop bag, his eyes darting around the tech room like a kid in a candy store. "Holy crap, this setup is insane," he said. "Is that a quantum processor?"

Belinda rolled her eyes, stepping forward. "Focus, Travis. You're here for a job, not a tech tour." She crossed her arms, "And before you touch anything, you swear this stays between us. You breathe a word, and I will tell the whole office you've got a micropenis and cry during rom-coms."

Travis's face went beet red. "Jesus, Belinda, that a lie and yes I get it! My lips are sealed, I swear." He glanced at me, then back at her, his Adam's apple bobbing. "What's the deal?"

I pulled the flash drive from the pendant, holding it up. "This. It's encrypted, and we need to get in. Can you do it?"

His eyes lit up, and he adjusted his glasses, suddenly all business. "Old-school Type-A connector? Nice. Let's see what we're working with." He took the drive, plugging it into his laptop, which he'd set up next to the desktop. The screen filled with code and his fingers flew over the keys expertly.

Belinda leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Oh, and Travis? Crack this, and I'll go out with you. One date, my choice of place."

Travis froze, his fingers hovering mid-keystroke. "For real?" he squeaked, his blush deepening.

"For real," she said, winking as she ran a hand through his hair. "Now get to work, nerd."

I stifled a laugh, grateful for her ability to lighten the mood. Travis dove in, muttering about firewalls and encryption protocols. I watched the screen, my heart pounding as lines of code scrolled past.

Sixty-something minutes later, Travis let out a triumphant "Got it!" and I jolted upright in my chair.

"Really?"

"Bypassed the initial encryption," he said, pushing his glasses up. "But i have narrowed down the firewall to a a seven-letter word. Any ideas?"

I leaned forward, my mind racing. "We have tried most of the words I can remember, what is it?"

Belinda tapped her chin, grabbed Travis' noise-canceling headset and placed it over his head.

"What?" Travis tried to ask but she shut him off.

When she was sure, Travis couldn't hear us. She turned to me. "What about your actual family name? I remember you had to adopt Carter at some point."

I hesitated, then nodded. "Ellison?"

She nodded.

"It is seven letters. Can it be?"

I tapped Travis while she took off the headset.

"Try this word." I gave him the letters of my family's last name, holding my breath as he typed them in. The screen blinked green, and a folder icon appeared; I gasped, my hands flying to my mouth. "It worked."

Belinda squealed, launching herself at Travis and planting a kiss on his cheek. "You're a genius!" she cried, then spun to face me, her eyes wide. "Sienna, we're in! Holy shit, we're in!"

Travis blinked, dazed, his face flaming. "Uh, yeah. Cool." He cleared his throat, glancing at Jason, who had been silently watching from the corner. "So, uh, what now?"

Belinda's expression turned serious. "Now, you give us some privacy. Sienna and I need to see what's on this drive. Alone."

Travis, still blushing from the kiss, grabbed his laptop bag and shuffled out, mumbling about being on call if we needed him before leaving me and Belinda alone in the tech room.

I reached for the mouse with a trembling hand. "Here we go," I whispered to Belinda. The secrets were finally within reach, and I wasn't sure I was ready for what they would reveal.