Page 93 of Sinfully Yours

I smile. "Tell Vanessa something's wrong with it. Say you made a mistake. That it's corrupted. Just get it back."

Cliff looks between us, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. "She'll kill me."

Tyler shrugs. "That's the risk of working for a psychopath."

Cliff groans, rubbing his hands down his face. "You guys are gonna owe me for this."

I arch a brow. "No, Cliff. You owe us. And if you don't want Vanessa knowing you ratted her out, I suggest you move fast."

With a tortured sigh, Cliff turns and stalks back toward Vanessa.

Tyler claps a hand on my shoulder. "I love when they break so easily."

We watch as Cliff approaches Vanessa, his expression twisted in forced urgency. She frowns as he murmurs something, her gaze narrowing with irritation.

Then, to my surprise, she actually hands the damn thing back.

Cliff practically scurries toward us, holding out the flash drive like a kid returning stolen candy. "Here. Take it. I had to risk a lot for this."

Tyler snatches it out of his hand. "You'll live."

Cliff scowls. "If she finds out?—"

"She won't," I cut in. "As long as you keep your mouth shut."

Cliff mutters something under his breath, but he doesn't argue. Smart choice.

Tyler holds the drive up, twirling it between his fingers. "Shall we see what Vanessa's been up to?"

I can't take my eyes off the drive. "Let's get somewhere secure first."

Tyler nods. "Then let's get out of here before Vanessa realizes she's been played."

We get into the car with Ava and head to my loft.

Tyler disappears into one of my spare rooms, muttering about needing caffeine and complete silence, and slams the door shut behind him. Ava and I are left alone in my bedroom, the tension between us thick enough to choke on.

She's pacing. Back and forth. Hands curled into fists. Bare shoulders rising and falling with each sharp breath.

I watch her, leaning against the edge of my bed, arms crossed. "Ava."

"Don't tell me to relax," she snaps without looking at me.

A hint of a smirk tugs at my lips. "Wouldn't dream of it."

She lets out a frustrated sound, shaking her head. "We don't know anything yet. That drive could have nothing on it. Or worse, what if it has everything but we can't use it? What if?—"

I step in front of her, blocking her path. "Eat first."

She blinks at me. "What?"

I nod toward the plate on my nightstand. "You need to eat. Then you can spiral."

Her glare is weak at best, but she huffs and flops onto the mattress, crossing her arms like a petulant kid. "Fine. But only because I'm starving."

I disappear into the bathroom, letting her grumble as she picks at the sandwich I made. When I return, rolling up my sleeves, I find her halfway through it.

"See?" I smirk. "The world didn't end."

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