Page 18 of Keeping Kasey
It comes fromknowingshe is.
“Hmm. Then there’s the problem of your questionable loyalty.” I shake my head. “I don’t typically work with people who hold my base hostage and sift through my database.”
“Then don’t. But either make good on your promise and walk away now, or give me the damn vial and tell me what you have in mind.”
“I played your game for hours, and you want to quit mine after two minutes?”
The deepening blush on her cheeks negates any intimidation her glare might’ve carried.
“As a matter of fact,” I say, “I do have something in mind: a probation period.”
“Probation,” she repeats, distaste marring the single word.
“Your little stunt caused a lot of chaos, and you’re going to upgrade the security of every single one of my bases to ensure nothing like it ever happens again. Once the new system is installed and we’ve had time to decide if we can trust you, we’ll talk about the real job we’re hiring you for.”
“Give me the vial,” she says, sharply enunciating each word.
“Give me your word,” I counter. “You’ll drop the attitude, assure me there are no external hard drives, and you’ll behave yourself on probation.”
My belittling visibly grates on her as she clenches and unclenches her jaw. “So, I don’t have a choice, then? It’s work for you or die right here.”
“Die?” I weigh my head side to side. “Probably not. Most likely just some nerve damage and seizures, but who can really say for sure?”
“Youhackedme,” she snaps. “Everything I did was self-defense.”
I nod to her drink. “Then I trust you’ll defend yourself now and accept my generosity. You have talent,Kasey. It would be a shame to see it go to waste.”
I say her name in a tone meant to mock her, but when the word comes out, it lingers on my lips just long enough to make my chest tighten. I take a deep breath to ease the pressure.
“Fine,” she grates through clenched teeth. “Now, give me the vial.”
“Give me your word,” I say, leisurely taking the vial out to twirl it between my fingers.
Her glare is deadly, even as sweat beads on her brow. “What does my word mean to you?”
“It’s as binding as anything else.”
“You have my word,asshole,” she bites out.
Her breathing deepens, and she holds out a hand, which surprisingly doesn’t shake.
I pull the vial back just before she can grab it. “I don’t tolerate disrespect.”
“I gave you my word—disrespect or not—now keep yours.”
My smile is wide as I screw off the cap of the vial to reveal the small needle and the button to inject it.
She takes it from me and stabs it into her thigh. She swallows back her wince as the antidote releases into her body.
“Feeling better?”
She tosses the vial onto the table. “I don’t work for free.”
“Name your price.”
“Depends on how long the project takes.”
“Three months, tops.”
