Page 50 of Mile High With the Bikers
“What are you doing here? Why isn’t Dad answering his phone?”
He looks past me at Diesel, then over at the bikers coming out to see what's going on. I recognize Bull right away, with Shrapnel right beside him. “Is there anywhere we can talk in private?”
Hawk gestures to the other end of the gate.
Mason rolls his eyes. “I’m not going to hurt Ms. Whittaker. I’ve worked for her father for years.”
“And I’ve lived this long because I don’t give a fuck,” Hawk spits out.
“Fine,” Mason growls.
We move to the far end of the gate, Mason on one side, and Diesel, Shrapnel, Bull and me on the other.
“I’d feel better just speaking with you, Rory,” Mason grumbles. “Your father’s business doesn’t have anything to do with them.”
Shrapnel crosses his hands over his chest and glares at my father’s security guard. “I disagree. Rory is our business, so if you need to speak to her, we’re gonna be there.”
“Whatever it is you can say it, Mason. They know everything. I had to tell them about Hermes so they could help me set up for the second demonstration.”
Mason doesn’t look happy about that, but just nods. “We’ve kept it quiet, but there was another attempted attack on your father this morning.”
My first reaction is anger, not worry. “That idiot! I told him it wasn't safe. Is he okay?” So much for his big plan to ferret out the troublemakers.
“Mr. Whittaker is fine. We got him out of sight and back to the office, but we’re under lockdown, and he wants you back. Something to do with re-evaluating the project, and he needs you there for it. Said only you know the systems well enough.” Mason rolls his eyes. “Business as usual, right? I think he needed the wakeup call, to be honest. He sent me to bring you and your equipment to the secondary office.”
“Why didn't he just pick up the phone? Why send you in person?” Diesel leans against the gate, watching Mason withobvious suspicion. “All of a sudden he’s changed his mind? I’m not sure I buy it.”
“I don’t need you to buy it, it’s the truth. He’s survived two attempts on his life in a short time frame and one of his chief developers is holed up with a post-apocalyptic looking cult that worships motorcycles.” Mason gestures at the compound. “I don’t know the boss’s every thought, but I know he’s earned a little paranoia. He doesn't trust that someone isn’t tracing his calls, and since it’s my job to keep him safe, I’d prefer him cautious.”
Dad must've gotten really spooked. Maybe that's to my benefit. The best thing for everyone would be if we create an effective countermeasure for Hermes and then release the whole thing as a research paper. So the company gets credit for the amazing tech, without putting anyone else in danger. That would save a lot of face and work out way better than me sabotaging it and making him angry.
“Where is he now?” Bull asks, putting his hand on my hip for comfort.
Mason's gaze fixes on where we’re touching, then comes back up. I get the impression he doesn't approve, but who I get into relationships with is none of his business. For a moment, he's reluctant to answer, probably because he still doesn't trust the bikers, but he gets there. “Rory knows where the alternate headquarters is. We got him to safety, removed all the visitors, and now no one's getting in or out without his say-so. He's safe, otherwise I wouldn't be here.”
“Do you trust him?” Bull asks, pulling me to the side.
I shrug. “Yes? Mason has worked for Dad since before I showed up. As far as I know he’s never done anything to make us doubt him, and Dad dropping off-grid when he gets spooked sounds pretty typical for him. I think this might be our best chance at all of this working out without causing any more trouble.”
“I need to go back,” Mason says, sounding impatient. “Are you coming with me?”
“I don't like it.” Diesel's expression is hard. “This asshole was on the plane when it went down, and I didn’t see him hauling your ass off it.”
Bull tugs me just a little closer. “Is it normal for him to not even have a message for you? I get it if he’s worried about phone calls being traced, but nothing?”
“Who’s watching him now?” Shrapnel steps to the gate and looks down at Mason with a snooty glare.
Mason looks away, clearly frustrated. “We don’t have time for this. He sent me because Roryknowsme. My co-worker Tim is with him right now, managing the site. Listen, we have an armored car waiting, ready to take us there. Please, Ms. Whittaker. You know how tricky this project has been and how important it is that it gets handled quickly.”
He's right, and even if we still have some disagreements to work out, it sounds like Dad and I might be on the same page again. I'm not going to ditch him when things are actually dangerous. He's distant and difficult, and we disagree on a lot, but that doesn't mean I want him hurt or dead.”
“I'll go.”
A flash of relief passes over Mason's normally stony face. “Good. Grab your things, and we'll get going.”
I run back inside and pack my backpack, leaving the suitcase that they brought me when I was told I could stay. Knowing it’s here makes me feel better. I’ll have to come back, at least to help fulfill my promise to secure their network and to get my things.
Shrapnel comes into the room. “I think you should stay here. I have a bad feeling about this.”
