“Yes. I’ve always charted my own path.”
A man served us our plates of food.
When he left, Marcus said, “You know, I need clever people like you working for me. I wonder if you’d be interested.”
I frowned. Here I thought he was attracted to me but instead he was poaching me from the Strongs. Still, this could be part of some nefarious plan. “Would I get benefits and a raise?”
He laughed. “Absolutely.”
“What would I be doing?” I sipped my wine hoping I looked intrigued by his proposition.
“Assistant to the CEO. Same position you have now.”
“Your assistant?” I asked.
He reached over and took my hand. “For now. We wouldn’t have a non fraternization rule so maybe there would be more.”
He wanted an assistant and a mistress, apparently. In some ways, that’s what Noah had asked for, except somehow it was different. Marcus’ offer felt gross, while Noah’s offer…well, I’d jumped him because his offer excited me.
“I’d have to think about it,” I said.
“Which?”
I laughed even though inside I was squirming. “Both. I couldn’t abandon my job now, not while there was someone trying to sabotage their expansion here.” I was glad I was given a fork as I wasn’t sure how’d I manage this lovely looking dinner with chopsticks.
“You’re dedicated to your boss. I like that. It reassures me that I’ve made the right choice in trying to hire you away.”
“Thank you.”
He sat back and studied me for a moment. “Why are you so sure this hack is from outside the company?”
I swallowed my nerves. This was the topic I needed to cover with him, but I was afraid he’d find me out. “Noah located the origin.” I realized I needed to be careful about how much I told Marcus.
“I see,” he said in a way that sounded like he knew something I didn’t.
“What?” I asked.
He shrugged. “I don’t really want to get involved in family-business intrigue or espionage.”
That sounded ominous. “What do you mean?”
He sighed and leaned forward almost like he was telling me a secret. “Noah came to see me today. He said something about working with him.”
“You already work with us,” I said, wondering why Noah lied about going back to the hotel that afternoon.
He cocked his head to the side. “I work with Strong Incorporated. Noah isn’t a part of that.”
He wasn’t making any sense.
He took my hand again. “I know you’re fond of the Strong family, and maybe even Noah too, but remember when I said revenge is a motive for this type of business sabotage?”
I nodded, getting a sick feeling in my gut.
“I hate to say this, Andi, but Noah is your hacker.”
“No.” There’s no way that could be true. “He’s here to find the hacker.?
??