"Honestly, I'm a little surprised you don't have it already. If you started the company with your brother, and you can afford to make hundred-thousand-dollar wagers, I would imagine you're in good financial shape.”
"I have no need for money. I have enough. What I don't need is for my life to be encumbered by Neanderthals trying to look out for me. I'm more than capable of looking out for myself.”
I chuckled. “I have no doubt. But I still think you’re underestimating the capabilities of these people.”
"Trust me, I'm not underestimating the capabilities of the Consortium or Viktor Kovalenko. I know they are ruthless. I know they will stop at nothing. I think my brother is the one who underestimates the situation. He always has. He has always thought he could just wing it and get by on his charm. These people have no concern for rules. They will do anything to get and maintain power.”
"You've convinced me. Now you need to convince yourself.”
“Convince myself of what?”
"That you're out of your league.”
She didn't like that. "I'm not out of my league. Sebastian is out of his league. This platform wouldn't exist if it wasn't for me. I will not stand by and watch it get used as a tool for corruption.”
It didn't take a rocket scientist to put it all together. "You designed and built the platform. You're the only one who can actually hand over control."
"You catch on quick. I hold the encryption keys. If anybody wants the data on the platform, they have to go through me.”
"If you have so much power, why was your ownership in the company diluted?”
Anger tightened her face. "I told you Sebastian is a snake. Neither of us has time for the full story.”
We stared at each other for a long moment, drifting amid the swells. "Look, I can't make you do anything you don’t want to do. But if you agree, I can put you in a secure location and make sure you have round-the-clock protection.”
"For how long?”
"As long as it takes.”
Madelyn laughed. "These are the kind of people who don't stop. If they don't get what they want today, they'll try tomorrow and the day after that, and the day after that, and the day after that.”
"So, what are you going to do? Keep moving around, keep looking over your shoulder?”
“I’ve got a target on my back now. There’s only one option, and that's gonna take time.”
"What option is that?”
"Sorry. I don't discuss my plans with anyone. Especially someone I just met whom I don't entirely trust.”
I chuckled. “I thought you did your due diligence. You called the department.”
“Sebastian has ways of getting people in his corner. Money buys a lot of power and influence.”
"Believe me, if I was a threat to you, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
She thought about it for a moment as the boats pitched and rolled.
My phone buzzed with a call from the sheriff.
"I gotta take this.” I swiped the screen and held the phone to my ear.
"Where are you two nitwits? I need you guys ASAP.”
I sighed. "Give me a location. We’ll be there.”
He did, and I ended the call, then said to Madelyn, "Last chance.”
19
