My stomach turns. “But?”
“But the group that woman was tied to only wanted to sell it to the highest bidder. They were just after the money. That was their MO. Hack big companies and either get a ransom or grab something worth selling.”
“But why were they after me?”
“Because they realized getting their hands on the program would settle them for life. But our system is locked down tighter than they expected. They couldn’t break through it. So they tried to use you as leverage. That’s why they got desperate in Maine and messed up trying to kidnap you. They had zero experience in this kind of…business endeavor.”
“Oh. Lucky me then, that they were unqualified to do their job.” This is too much to process. I need to think. “I want the case file.”
Like he was expecting it, the reply comes quickly. “Already told Derrick to bring it.”
I brace my hands on the island’s edge, head low, trying to breathe through the shock. There’s no other sound but the muffled traffic outside and my heart racing in my ears. “Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t Adam say anything?”
Carter hesitates. “Misplaced sense of protection.”
Thoughts bounce around my skull. “Does that mean it’s over?”
“Yeah, they got them all.” In the silence that follows, I feel him coming near, then his warm hand on my back. “So…you and Adam?”
The weight of all the mistakes I made crushes my windpipe. But I push the words out. “I didn’t mean to lie to you.”
I look up at my big brother. My rock. My protector. I don’t see anger. But he gives me a sad look that guts me. His gaze is glassy.
“I really messed up,” I sob suddenly. “In so many ways.”
Carter lets out a big sigh and circles his arms around me. Oh, God, I needed that more than I realized. He holds me while I sniff into his chest.
“That sounds weird coming from you.” He half chuckles over the top of my head. “Just so you know, you two never fooled me back then.”
My shoulders shake in a silent laugh. “Figures.”
“It was actually kind of funny. You two were terrible actors.”
“Don’t be mad at Adam,” I say, voice small, while Carter keeps rubbing circles on my back. “He hated keeping it a secret. He only did it for me.”
We sit like that for a while, until I let go and he guides me to the breakfast nook and sits us both down.
In this bright morning sun, all the stress of the last few months is visible in the lines of his face. All because of me.
“Listen,” he says gently. “Policing your love life is not my job. It’d be weird for me to tell you who you can and can’t date. What matters is to know you’re safe. And happy.”
“Why do you have to be so damn reasonable?” I groan. “At least be a little mad. It’d make me feel less guilty for forcing him to keep it a secret.” I pick a strand of tangled hair and smooth it out. “I made so many mistakes. I don’t know if he’ll ever trust me again.”
He smirks. “You gave me hell when I fumbled things with Eliza. Maybe try taking your own advice.”
I sigh and look away. “You’re insufferable.”
The corner of his mouth lifts, even though exhaustion dips the line of his shoulders.
“All I know is that two of the people I love most are in pain, and I can’t do anything to fix it.”
A sad smile twists my lips. “You can’t fix everything, Carter.”
“I know that.Now.” He laughs, and it eases the tension.
We scroll through the Crisis group chat. The rumor mill is spinning, adding to the chatter, comments full of venom.
This is why women need to stay in the kitchen.
