Ariana stopped and reached for my hand.Her fingers were cool, but her touch was warm and grounding.
“It’s not your fault.”She held my gaze for several long moments, allowing her statement to sink in.“Say it,” she murmured, like she did when I first told her about my fucked-up family.
“It’s not my fault.”
“Good.”
She dropped her hold on me and continued through the dusty pasture.“What about after?”
“It’s hard to have dreams when you’re constantly moved from foster home to foster home.Back then, my dream was to one day have a suitcase to put my belongings in, instead of a garbage bag.”
I had no idea why I was sharing all of this with her.I never spoke about my past, especially my time in foster care.But with Ariana, I found myselfwantingher to know this side of me.
I wanted her to know therealme.
And maybe that was exactly what she needed in order to finally trust me.
“Computers offered me an escape.I liked how predictable they were.There was no gray area.Just zeroes and ones, when it all comes down to it.After I left the military, the NSA tried to recruit me.I decided I’d rather make my own rules, so I started a private firm instead.”
She tilted her head.“What is it about ‘cybersecurity’ you like?”
“I guess I like the idea of outsmarting people who try to hide their misdeeds.”
Her lips curved.“Like Batman.”
“I suppose.Just without the leather suit.”
“That’s a pity.I think I’d like you in leather.”
A chuckle rumbled from my throat.Twenty-four hours ago, I never expected to see this side of Ariana.To be able to joke and talk so easily like this.
I’d never admit it to him, but Blake was right.
I met Ariana halfway, and now the taut rope between us had loosened.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said as my phone buzzed.I pulled it from my pocket, Blake’s name flashing on the screen.
I gave Ariana an apologetic smile.“I need a second.”
“Sure.”
Turning away slightly, I answered.“Yeah?”
“There was nothing at Schaffer’s,” Blake said, his voice tight.“His place was clean.Tooclean if you ask me.”
I pushed out a long sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose.
I knew the chances of Schaffer keeping incriminating files easily accessible were slim.But I was still hoping for something to go our way.
“I’m looking into other property holdings to see if he kept them somewhere else,” he continued.
“Where are you?Are you still in Miami?”
“Nah.Flew back to Atlanta this morning.I’m already at the house.Didn’t expect to find you gone, though.”
“I’m walking Cato.I’ll be there in a few.”
I ended the call and pocketed my phone.
