It would all be over.
Everything I had worked for.
Everything I was trying to achieve.
Done.
I had to move quicker.
Much quicker.
I had to know what Mason knew. It was a matter of life and death.
“You’d better take time forthis crap,Hannah,” Rose spat. “This is serious.”
“There’s no way. I’m untraceable.” As soon as I said it, I knew how ridiculous I sounded.
No one was untraceable. Not completely. Not if one knew where to look.
“Fuck, your God complex is out of control. You need to check your ego and find out what’s going on. I’ve heard rumblings about you working with someone new, but I didn’t take it seriously. Given that you’ve always insisted on working alone.” There was a note to Rose’s voice that I recognized as suspicion. And maybe some hurt too.
Maybe I wanted her to hurt.
Just enough.
“Iamworking with someone,” I told her. Admitting it only to her. Only to maim.
She was silent for a while. The bullet had hit its mark.
Then I felt silly. Juvenile. Why would I want to hurt Rose? I had let go of any grievances a long time ago.
She had reached out in an attempt to help. To warn me. I needed to keep my petty emotions in check.
I had to remain even-tempered. Unhurried. Unconcerned.
That was the Hannah Whelan I had become.
“It’s a new partnership. One that I vetted carefully,” I explained, hoping to allay her obvious worry.
“Who is it?” she asked, her voice raspy. Choked. I could hear the jealousy. Her words were clipped and cold.
She was upset I was working with someone new. Someone who wasn’t her.
Because in the beginning it was just her and me.
Until I learned that working alone was the only way to move forward.
Hacking—for me—was a solitary pursuit. Partnerships wouldn’t work.
It was another thing that Rose had taught me.
Yet I’m working with Toxicwrath now….But I was in control this time. Right?
“Just a cracker I’ve met. He’s good. Really good. He’s in line with the mission. You remember how important that is.” I wouldn’t give her specifics.
“Who is it? Can you really trust them? Are you being careful?”
“Look Rose, I appreciate the heads-up, but I’ll take it from here. I’ve got some things in the works. You don’t need to worry about me.”
