Page 31 of The Player

Hargrove’s gaze bore into her, searching for something—weakness, fear, guilt. “And what do you think should happen to someone who crosses that kind of line, Mrs. Conway?”

She knew she had to tread carefully, that this was a test of her nerves and her ability to maintain the facade. “I think they should be made an example of,” she said quietly. “So that others know not to make the same mistake.”

Hargrove’s smile was thin, calculating. “A sensible answer,” he murmured. “One I agree with.”

Before he could say anything further, a car pulled into the driveway, and both of them turned to see Seth’s vehicle coming to a stop. Relief flooded Hope as she watched Seth step out of the car, his expression calm but alert.

Seth walked up to the porch, his eyes flicking from Hope to Hargrove, assessing the situation in a heartbeat. He placed a hand on Hope’s back, a subtle but clear sign of possession and protection. “Hargrove,” Seth greeted, his tone polite but with an edge of steel. “Hope, I didn’t realize we were expecting company.”

Hargrove gave a small, almost mocking smile. “Just a friendly chat with your lovely wife. I had to return to my house and thought I’d stop by.”

Seth’s hand tightened slightly on Hope’s back, but his expression remained neutral. “How thoughtful. I hope we didn’t bore you with our mundane morning.”

“Not at all,” Hargrove replied, his tone still smooth. “In fact, I was just telling Mrs. Conway about the security breach at the Citadel last night. I’m sure you’re as concerned as I am about such things.”

Seth’s eyes darkened slightly, but his voice was steady. “I am. It’s troubling to think someone would try to steal sensitive information. But I have every confidence you’ll catch the culprit.”

Hargrove nodded; his gaze still fixed on Seth. “Oh, we will. And when we do, they’ll wish they hadn’t crossed us.”

The tension between the two men was palpable, a silent battle of wills playing out in the space between them. Hope could feel the danger coiling around them like a serpent, ready to strike at any moment.

Seth broke the standoff with a casual nod. “Well, thank you for stopping by, Hargrove. Perhaps we’ll see you again.”

Hargrove’s smile was thin and dangerous. “I think it’s safe to say you will,” he said softly. “Take care, Mr. Conway. Mrs. Conway.”

With that, he turned and walked back to his car, his movements slow and deliberate. Hope and Seth watched as he drove away, the weight of the encounter still heavy in the air.

Seth gently guided Hope back into the house, closing and locking the door behind them before resetting the alarm. “What was he doing here?” he asked, his voice low and tense.

“He was fishing for information,” Hope replied, her voice shaking slightly now that the adrenaline was wearing off. “He knows, Seth. He knows we were behind the data breach.”

Seth cursed under his breath, running a hand through his hair. “We need to move. Now.”

Hope nodded, her heart racing. “I’ll grab the laptop.”

But before either of them could move, the sound of engines filled the air outside. Hope froze, her eyes wide with fear as she realized what was happening.

“They’re here,” she whispered, dread settling like a stone in her stomach.

Seth was already moving, his eyes scanning the windows. “We’re surrounded,” he said grimly. “They’re not going to let us leave.”

Hope’s mind raced, trying to come up with a plan, any plan, which would get them out of this alive. “We can’t stay here. We’ll be sitting ducks.”

“I know,” Seth replied, his voice tight with frustration. “But they’ve got us boxed in. We need to find a way out.”

Hope grabbed his arm, her mind working frantically. “The back door,” she said quickly. “We can make a run for it, through the garden.”

Seth nodded, his expression hardening with resolve. “Grab what you can. We move fast and quiet.”

“Shouldn’t we call Cerberus?”

Seth was already moving. “No time, and we can’t be sure the line would be totally secure.”

Hope nodded as she ran to the hidden panel in the bookcase and pulled out the laptop, tucking it securely under her arm. Seth was already at the back door, checking the locks and the sightlines. The tension in the air was thick, every second ticking by with a sense of impending doom.

“Ready?” Seth asked, his voice low but filled with urgency.

Hope nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. “Let’s go.”

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