“How secure are these files when they have a hacker, a really fuckin’ good one from what we hear?” Tag puts in.
“That’s what the twins and I are workin’ on,” Sawyer says. “I called Linc, he’s puttin’ in some hours, too.”
Linc works for our club brothers in Arizona—the Bracken Ridge Rebels. We see them from time to time, and since Deanna’s father, Hutch, retired as the MC prez just last year, they’re around a lot more having bought an apartment here to spend more time with the family.
“Did they manage to get into the system?” Cash asks, aggrieved.
“Not that I can tell, but from what Payden said, they thought it was gonna be a snatch and grab. What Cristoph would’ve done is get access to the main server, then work remotely. Unlucky for him I managed to shut any remote systems down so any access he had is revoked,” Sawyer says.
“But he still could’ve gotten information,” Cash says. “In the hours since they attacked.”
Sawyer shakes his head. “To be honest, it’s unlikely. Encryption isn’t like the movies, it doesn’t take thirty seconds. It’s also very well hidden, not just one layer, but several. Thiscompany was huge, they had the means to make sure their clients were protected.”
“But you can get in?” I ask.
“Of course.” He smirks. “But Payden has a log in, so we can just use that. Some of the files, however, even she doesn’t have access to.”
I scratch my chin. “Somethin’ doesn’t add up. What was this Jeremy fucker up to?”
“I guess we’ll find out when Sawyer breaks through the encryption,” Brew mutters.
“That’s gonna take some time. In the meantime, when Payden wakes up, I’ll need her to give me access to everythin’ she has,” Sawyer says. “It’ll make things quicker.”
I nod.
It’s two in the morning and Payden is upstairs sleeping.
I went back to her apartment with two of the boys, and grabbed what I could. We left two prospects there to tidy up and put everything back where it belonged. It’ll be easier for Payden to face once she gets to go home.
“So they’re not only after Payden, they’re after whatever they think is in those files,” Jett says. “Enough to kill for.”
“Exactly,” Cash says. “If they think she’s dead, then we’ll be able to get a head start.”
“And if they know she isn’t dead?” Haze throws in. “She went to her apartment. If they were watchin’, they’ll know by now.”
“Plus her purse,” Harlem says. “It’ll lead them straight to the clubhouse.”
“Or if she’s announced as one of the victims, they’ll realize her purse was just left here,” I say. “She called her parents earlier, they’re gonna have to be notified.”
“And put them into protection,” Ryder adds. “Don’t want any of them goin’ after her family.”
“Which reminds me,” I say. “Her brother, Declan, he’s a loose cannon.”
“Wait, Declan Benedict?” Haze says, looking to Brew.
I give him a chin lift. “You know him?”
“Rings a bell. Pretty sure Willow’s brother, Max, mentioned him,” Haze goes on. “Holy shit, yeah, he did, come to think of it. Declan joined the Hellions a few months back.”
I stare at him. I’m sure Payden has no clue, or she would’ve mentioned it by now. “No shit?”
“Didn’t that cop, Hally-what’s-her-face, have it in for Max?” Ryder asks, scratching his head. “What happened with that?”
Brew snorts. “She’s the cop who arrested him and he got sent to jail, but in typical Max style, instead of bein’ mad at her, he worships the ground she walks on. Said that if she hadn’t arrested him, he’d be dead by now.”
“Fuck’s sake,” Tag mutters. “Freakin’ weirdo. Who falls in love with the chick that had him incarcerated?”
“Does Payden know about Declan?” Cash asks me.
