Page 90 of Abundance of Obsession

Her wide eyes meet mine. “That’s not the point—”

“That’s exactly the point! You met up with him without telling us?” I can’t believe what I’m hearing.

Our eyes lock in a battle. Neither of us intends to back down.

I have the urge to bend her over the desk, lift her dress, and teach her a lesson—the kind that would make her remember this day for a long time.

“Are you fucking stupid? Or just reckless?”

I regret those words the very second they leave my lips. Ryker says my name in warning, but I ignore him. Zoe, on the other hand, leans back. A slap on the cheek would have less impact.

You fucking moron!

“I’m sorry... I’m sorry,” I say, raising my hands in surrender and shaking my head. “I got carried away. This shouldn’t have happened.”

Zoe’s eyes narrow to slits. They’re sparkling dangerously. “Say that to me one more time, and you’ll learn firsthand what my wrath feels like.”

Ryker acts as a buffer between us. I shut my mouth, and he takes over.

“Zoe. Eli wanted to say that you’re putting yourself in unnecessary danger. And he’s worried about you,” he says to her in a gentle tone.

“I know…” She sighs. She gives me a quick glance and turns her attention to my brother. “I just wanted… to find some valuable piece of information. I was failing. My findings hadn’t yielded anything meaningful thus far. And it bugged me.”

“You’re not letting anyone down,” I reassure her. “It’s difficult to get answers from a man whose life depends on keeping secrets close.”

“But tonight, when he was driving me home… I pretended to fall asleep on his shoulder.”

I clench my jaw. Better that than say something stupid again.

Zoe’s gaze now jumps from Ryker to me and back.

“Go on,” Ry encourages her.

“He thought I was asleep. Someone called him. I don’t know who. No names were mentioned. But…” She pauses and rubs her forehead. “I heard bits of the call. Something about a takeover before the ship sets sail.”

Ryker leans back in his chair. The gears in his head are already turning at full speed. He squints and analyzes.

“What else?” I ask.

“Just that there’s supposed to be a container. He mentioned Terminal Four. And it’s supposed to be Friday at ten p.m. I don’t know… what it all means. But it seemed important to me.”

“Because it is important.” Ryker peers at me, and we piece together what we know.

Terminal Four.

Friday.

A transfer in a container.

“This is big.” I deliberately emphasize the significance of this information. “What you found out—”

“No one has ever uncovered Veirix’s transfer plans,” Ryker finishes for me. “You did a great job, Zoe. Are you sure Damien suspects nothing?”

“Absolutely.” She nods in agreement.

“They’re planning a transfer right under our noses,” I say to Ryker.

“Yes. And we—” He rubs his chin, planning in his head. “We’re going to shut them down.” He leans back once again.