“I don’t think we can use it yet,” I say. “Because that’ll put the bastard on high alert, and he might increase his security, making it even harder to achieve our goals. I think we need to keep that in our arsenal and either we release it closer to the vote to put him on edge, or we include it in the big reveal on the day.”
“Or we keep it in reserve in case we need to use it at some critical point,” Drew suggests.
“Agreed,” Sawyer says, turning his head to me. “What progress are we making on the wedding front?”
“Charlie seems on board,” I supply. “But he hasn’t set a date or anything. I intend to apply pressure this week, so it moves along.”
Anger rolls off Kai in waves, and I kiss him quickly on the lips.
“I’ve mentioned it with Father. Presenting it as the ultimate test,” Drew says, his mouth pulling into a tight line. He tugs at his collar. “His eyes actually lit up at the idea.” He stares at me. “And it makes me unbelievably nervous. If he gets you down there, Abby, he could tryanything.”
I lean forward in my chair as Kai’s hand wraps around my arm. “I’ll be with you or Charlie at all times,” I remind him. “I know how dangerous it is, and I won’t risk going anywhere alone.”
“I’m fairly certain Rick and I will be invited,” Kai says. “We can help keep a lookout.”
Sawyer pulls out his phone. “I’ll get some earpieces from Dad,” he says, not looking up as he taps out a message. “He has these new prototypes they’re developing. They are tiny little buds that slot into the ear. Virtually unnoticeable unless you were looking. You can all wear them and keep in contact with one another.”
“How can I score me some of those?” Xavier asks, his eyes glimmering with excitement.
“You can’t.” Sawyer gloats.
“Not even for sexual favors?” Xavier rests his elbows on the table, staring intently at Sawyer. “I’m up for anything in the bedroom. You can do whatever you want to me. Nothing is off-limits.” He waggles his brows, and his tongue darts out, toying with his lip ring.
Drew spits coffee all over the table, and Jackson throws back his head, laughing, because the expression on Sawyer’s face is priceless. It’s a cross between wanting to throttle Xavier with his bare hands and wanting to test him to see if he means it.
I can’t see Xavier and Sawyer on the same wavelength to ever start something permanent. But I wonder if they’ll end up hooking up at some point. There is enough tension between them to suggest that’s a possibility.
“Screw off, Xavier. Hell will freeze over before I let you touch my cock,” Sawyer says, and Kai rolls his eyes.
“What about the security system in the dungeon? Any luck there?” I ask, not even attempting to disguise my deliberate change of subject.
Sawyer shoots me a grateful look. “Drew found some old plans from the time the place was constructed, and we’re building a picture of the layout. My father has given me a couple of trustworthy guys, and they are working around the clock to infiltrate the firewall and to descramble the video footage from Christmas Day. Your father obviously hired guys who knew what they were doing to set the whole thing up, but my dad’s guys are better. We’ll get there.”
“Great. I’ve had a few conversations with Chad, and the team is primed and ready to go but they need some place to work.” I glance at Xavier. “Would you be willing to let them work from here? I was thinking we could clear out that space at the rear of the main room, put in desks, and you already have the technology all set up.”
“Can they be trusted to keep the location secret?” Xavier asks. “Because I’ve spent a small fortune building this place and I don’t want to risk losing it.Wecan’t risk losing it.”
“I’ll drill that point home, but they won’t say anything.”
“Because you have shit you’re blackmailing them with?” Jackson asks, grinning.
“It’s more than that. They are loyal to me and Chad, and that’s why they’ll keep our confidence.” The truth resonates from my words, and it feels good to know I have people who have my back, no matter what.
“I’ll work with Chad and Xavier this week to get it set up,” Drew confirms.
“Let me know when it’s ready, and I’ll ask them to meet me here during the day while Charlie’s at work. I’ll split up the targets and set them working on it,” I add. We only have one more week left before school starts back, and we need to make the most of it.
“What else do we need to discuss?” Drew asks, casting a glance at his watch.
“Assuming our reconnaissance goes well, and we get the intel we need during the wedding party, how will we get rid of Father long enough to have an opportunity to break in and steal those files?” I ask.
“The annual Parkhurst meeting is the second week in February,” Drew says. “It’s an important meeting, because it’s the last big one before the presidential vote in April. Charlie, Trent, and I will be expected to attend with Dad and Christian, so that gives you ample opportunity to break in and get the files.”
“That’s six weeks away,” I grumble. “Do we really have to wait that long?”
Kai slings his arm around my shoulders, pulling me in close and pressing a kiss to my temple. “It sucks, but we’ll need that time. To plan the party and the surveillance and the break-in.”
I’m just thinking of our lengthy separation and how challenging it’ll be keeping Charlie out of my bed, and my panties, for that period of time.
