I pushed out the attackers pretty quickly, so when the fax came in I hobbled over to the machine to grab it. I had just folded it up when I heard a smash from above. I smirked as I stumbled my way back to my desk.
I sank into my chair with a sigh and looked at the screen. The laptop had wormed its way into the mainframe, and was now copying everything. I smiled, but my victory was short-lived as another attack started.
I was bent over the keyboard when Vince stormed into the outer office. Panic bubbled below the surface as I looked at the laptop and saw that it was only about halfway done.
“Where is she?” He screamed, assuming Rick was in the office.
My eyes danced from the door to the screen. Fifty-seven percent. Fuck.
The door slammed open to Rick’s office, and he was met with silence. I moved my laptop closer to my work computer, so the screen was completely hidden from the doorway right before the door opened.
“Hello.” I called out. My eyes stayed focused on the screen, as if the attack was harder than it actually was.
Vince stared silently at me. “You’re here?”
I looked down at myself and then back up at him. He flinched when he saw my face. “Yeah…”
He watched me for a few minutes. “I thought you were in the hospital.”
I nodded. “I was, but then someone was trying to hack into our mainframe, and I needed to wrap up the tasks assigned to me.”
Vince’s eyes tightened. “Why? You should be home, healing.”
I glanced up from my computer, my eyes grazing past the laptop screen. Seventy percent. “I think we both know why I want to tie up my loose ends.” I stared at him for a minute before going back to the computer.
He coughed. “I don’t think I do.”
I snorted. A fresh attack started, but I kept my eye on Vince as he settled across from me. “You can pretend to be dumb with anyone else, Vince, but I know the truth. The king sent you my transfer request. We both know that he did.”
He stared at me for a few minutes. “I don’t know that.” He stared at me. “But let’s say that he did.” He raised his hand as I opened my mouth. “I said let’s pretend. What if I got rid of the request? What then?”
I sighed. “Honestly?” He nodded. “You want me to pretend that nothing happened?” He raised a shoulder.
“I didn’t say that.” He sighed. “Look, obviously Shannon isn’t an option as a mate. You are the girl I want for Brandon. He loves you. He is just confused.”
I stopped and turned to face him. “He’s confused?” Vince nodded. “Vince, he made a fool out of me. I’m an Alpha and in front of our entire pack, he chose her.” He opened his mouth, but I raised one hand, stopping him. “You can pretend he didn’t, but he did. The rumors are already flying.” He deflated.
Vince stared at me. “It’s not that bad Amy.”
I laughed. “Have you heard what the pack is saying? As an Alpha…could you deal with the disrespect you are asking me to deal with?” He stood up and started to pace. I glanced back at the computer screen and caught it stalled at seventy-three percent. Shit.
“If I loved my mate enough, I would be fine.” He tried to placate me, but his words just made me laugh.
“Bullshit. Don’t lie to me. If your mate picked another male in front of the entire pack-”
“He didn’t do that.” He interrupted.
I sighed. “Fine, if you asked your mate to decide between you and an unranked male that was obviously trying to take your place, and she refused to decide so she didn’t hurt the unranked male. What would you do and be honest?”
He stared at me for a second before he slunk back to the chair. “I wouldn’t be able to do it.”
“Exactly.” I sat back and sighed when I realized the download finally moved. Eight two percent. I turned back to the desktop when another alert lit the screen. There was another attack. “Fuck.”
“What?” Vince perked up.
“Nothing. Another attack.” I started typing, keeping one eye on the laptop and Vince. I started to push back the attack while not interfering with the download. It was a hard balance.
“Another attack?” He shifted in his seat.
