Misha laughs beside me and pulls me tighter against him. “He can’t believe that they’re getting robbed in broad daylight, and it’s not even the tech they’re after.”
The CEO frantically gestures for someone else off-screen to come over—security, maybe.
“Look at the fish,” I say, marveling at the team’s efficiency. “They’re so calm.”
Oliver reaches across Misha and squeezes my hand. “That’s because they know they’re heading somewhere better. They’re not corporate fish anymore.”
“I’ve just had an idea for our new company name,” Grey mutters under his breath, and we all look at him questioningly until the feed snags our attention back.
The CEO gesticulates wildly toward the now-empty tanks as he yells at his employees, who all look equally confused. The Animal Welfare team loads the containers onto carts, ignoring the CEO as they secure each one carefully before wheeling them toward the exit. The CEO follows, his phone glued to his ear again as he barks out orders, but it’s clear he has no idea what to do. The fish are already halfway out the door.
“They’ll never figure it out,” Grey says with a grin. “They’re going to be stuck blaming some imaginary activist group for months.”
I can’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. It’s such a small victory in the grand scheme of things, but it feels monumental.
Swim free, little guys.
Grey, still focused on the screen, smiles in satisfaction. “That’s it. They’re out.”
I laugh at the CEO’s bewildered face, but underneath it all, I am deeply touched.
“You didn’t have to do this,” I admit softly, glancing around at them. “But I love you for it.”
Misha rests his head on top of mine. “Youdid that. We only helped finish the job.”
Oliver nods in agreement, still squeezing my hand across Misha’s lap.
Grey’s gaze finds mine, his expression softening. “What matters to you matters to us.”
Their words hit deep, and I blink against the renewed wave of emotion that wells up.
These men have become my foundation.
“All right, fun’s over, let’s do this. We only have another day before the meeting takes place,” Grey says, standing and pulling the laptop from the screen.
“You really think this will work?” I ask, hating the nerves in my voice. I have no idea if we’ll get enough evidence in this short timeframe to prove the AR is mine.
“We’ll leave no stone unturned, Amelia,” Jamie says, making both Misha and me jump in surprise, and Oliver laugh from beside us. Jamie had been so quiet before now.
“He’s right,” Misha murmurs against my hair, kissing the top of my head. “We have security footage of the break-in, Jamie’s data analysis, and Grey managed to hack into Langley’s emails.”
“I’ll find every incriminating conversation and hand them over to the police,” Grey agrees. “They’ve already said that if you choose not to press charges, Hendricks will walk away without repercussions.”
“And thanks to that, he’s promised to show up, ready to back it all up with his testimony,” Oliver finishes for Grey, and then continues, “Officers will wait just outside the door, ready to step in if things escalate or to take Langley away as soon as we prove your claim.” He raises my hand and leans over, planting a kiss on top. “You’ll be safe.”
Right.
The plan really is simple.
Convince the management board to allow me access to the project so I can show them the copyright marker I left embedded deep within the code.
If it’s still there—and it should be—we’ll have undeniable proof of my ownership.
Misha nudges me gently, his warm hands on my arms as he lifts me from the couch. Before I can say anything, he pulls me in and presses a soft, lingering kiss to my lips, erasing my doubt and fear, grounding me in the moment.
When he pulls back, his lips curve into a teasing grin. “It will work out, Bug. I’m going to order Chinese for lunch. Any requests?”
Before I can answer, Jamie’s voice cuts in again, calm and efficient as ever. “I’ve already placed an order. Your usual favorites will be arriving in twenty minutes.”
