Chapter1
Ash touchedhis nose to the cold, white linoleum, then straightened his arms. A bead of sweat rolled off his forehead, spattering on the floor beneath him. He barely noticed it, dropping into another push-up, his mind focused on the summons he’d received earlier.
Portia Tremaine required his presence in her office at eighta.m.
His breath caught, just as it had when he’d opened the message this morning. Was this it? Was this when his role in the death of her husband would be revealed?
The explosion at the New Amsterdam Hotel had changed the Seattle landscape more than physically. It had completely upended the Tremaine Corporation, exposing the family’s dark secrets and leading to the disappearance of the CEO, Phillip Tremaine.
Portia had stepped into her father’s position and had, by all accounts, spent the past six weeks settling into the role. Ash had spent the same time trying to solve the same problem he’d spent the last five years on: how to free himself and his sister from the Tremaine Corporation. He’d spent the days since the explosion frantically seeking a way out for him and Hope, while waiting for his role to be discovered.
Body on autopilot, he completed his workout—one hundred each of sit-ups, dips, and push-ups, no more, no less—and dropped to his knees. Hands on his waist, he waited for a rush from endorphins or the buzz of accomplishment, but neither came.
He didn’t work out for any of those things. It didn’t clear his head or help him think. It didn’t do anything but keep his body strong so it could support his mind when it was otherwise occupied.
Too worried to eat, he skipped breakfast and quickly showered then donned the boring black pants and white shirt that served as his uniform. He tried not to let the summons throw him. Instead, he rubbed his hand over the back of his left shoulder, tracing the tattoo there. The raised design centered him. Reminded him of who he was and why he had to escape.
A female security guard waited for him at the executive elevators. Ever since the bombing and Phillip Tremaine’s disappearance, there’d been heightened security on the main floors of Tremaine headquarters. Even the staff living quarters and common areas like the cafeteria, located at the base of the building, had a slight increase in security. Nothing like this, though. Everyone wanting to see Portia required special clearance and an escort.
Ash approached the guard carefully. Knowing about the extra security was one thing. Being called in to see the acting CEO put it in a new, worrying light. Until he knew more, he had to believe that the guard was there to escort him to Portia’s office, not take him into custody.
Smile casual and his movements calm, he approached the elevator.
“I have an appointment with Ms. Tremaine,” he said.
“Palm, please.” The guard held out a scanner, her expression flat.
He pressed his palm to it and let the computer work its identification magic.
“Ash Cutter. Computer security specialist. Tremaine Corporation.”
When the ID wasn’t followed with directions to “Arrest immediately” or “Shoot on sight,” the tension in his shoulders eased slightly.
“I’ll escort you to the top floor.” Her voice gave nothing away. They must teach that in security guard school.
“Okay.” The less he said, the more unconcerned he could pretend he was.
The elevator doors slid open and the guard gestured for him to precede her. Ash stepped in and moved to one side. She followed, taking up a position on the opposite side of the car, her back to the wall. Her hand wasn’t actuallyonher weapon, but it hovered too close for comfort.
They stared at each other for the entire ride. Willing himself not to fidget, he studied his escort. She wore her dark hair pulled back in a severe bun at the back of her neck and a bland expression on her face. He didn’t know her, but he’d seen her around. Tremaine Security was hard to miss these days.
The elevator stopped with a happyding!and the door slid open. Ash stayed where he was. Any sudden moves might make her jumpy.
“After you.” She gestured at the open door.
He stepped into a mix of luxury and security. Half a dozen guards circled the room. The reception desk sat several feet in front of the elevator door. Sleek metal and opaque glass, it gleamed like new and stood out against the white marble floor. The woman behind the desk looked young and efficient.
She acknowledged him with a faraway gaze that instantly conveyed that she was plugged into the network. Jealousy flooded his system. He tamped it down with a struggle.
Ash hadn’t been allowed to jack into a system in five years.
Five. Years.
There was nothing like streaming with the data. Becoming one with the pixels and packets. No barriers, no walls. It was better than any high he’d ever experienced and he missed it every damn day.
Tremaine Security had sealed up his port when they’d made him the offer he couldn’t refuse. One that let him live and provided his sister with the medical care she needed. And there werestilldays that he’d throw it all away for a chance to surf a network again.
Watching the receptionist, he could almost imagine the rush she was experiencing. “Ms. Tremaine wanted to see me.” He modulated his tone, keeping the jealousy out of it.
