I take a sip of my energy drink, having headed in to do some work at Barwon, mainly some deep, fiddly snooping and tightening of some other areas. I did leave work for Lola.
I lean back in my chair in my basement and blow out a breath, pushing a free hand through my hair as I set my drink down with the other.
"Fuck, dude, get it together. The hot, stacked chick at work could be a good distractor."
But the moment the words are out of my mouth, a queasiness settles.
I think that chick is Lola's friend, and apart from making things even more complicated, I have no intention of being dragged up to court or something.
That woman has a man-eating look. I like man-eaters. They are fun. I just...
I just don't think it is appropriate to bang herandLola.
Or bang an employee.
Even though I will be walking away from the company once it is no longer leaking money, reputation, and security.
I am still in charge.
And, the truth is, I don't want her.
Thank Christ my phone decides to ring. I'm so fucking grateful I answer, even though it is Dad.
"Changed your mind?"
"Cut the crap, Enzo." But his heart isn't in it. "I have to head to Boston, so I won't be back until late. See, this is why your sister's better off at school?—"
"She could be better off here, part-time."
He snorts. "And have you corrupt her?"
"I think she knows how to play video games, Dad. Now, what did you want? I'm busy."
"Pick your sister up and take her to her violin lesson. Maria will be here and will stay late tonight, so you can drop her back here."
"Well—"
Shit.
He hung up.
Asshole.
I sigh and start getting ready. I set up a small program to follow a couple of leads I want to pursue and make it so the results get sent to my iPad.
Then I lock up the basement, grab my shit, set the alarms, and start driving.
Lyndall will have to go back to school soon, and it seems I've failed in my mission. I know this because she keeps texting me to let me know.
Even now, my phone beeps, and the texts are read by the computer over my car radio.
"Block any texts to Alex from being read. Block any texts from Lola, Silas, and Cade. Send Lyndall a text," I say.
There is other software out there, built into phones, but this is more accurate and something Cade and I came up with during some downtime.
We were tipsy at the time, but this is handy. I prefer it to any others, and it is smart enough to learn our voices, understand punctuation, and pick and choose what texts will be read aloud and which calls I want.
"Text: I'm on my way, kiddo. Get your fiddle and get ready to fly." I pause. "And I am still working on a plan. I said it would take time."
