Page 22 of Hard Wired

“Are you okay? You look like a vampire that just got staked.”

“How kind of you. Probably just in need of food.”

“But I thought you weren’t hungry.”

“Maybe I am after all.” He shrugged and grabbed a carrot. “So you’re here to fix the system you messed up?”

“Wasn’t me who messed it up. But yeah, I’ll fix it.”

He leaned back against the couch, one foot up on the coffee table, regarding her. “Then where’s your bag with all that…internet stuff?”

“Internet stuff? Is that a technical term?”

“Best I can do.”

“Isn’t the Silverlake Syndicate supposed to be a modern, sophisticated operation? You sure you were in charge of it?”

The corner of his mouth quirked. “That’s what they tell me. But honestly? I’m not so sure.”

She didn’t know what that meant. “My ‘internet stuff’ is in the kitchen. Maureen recruited me to help make your lunch and serve it to you.”

Sylvie wandered around the room, hands on her hips as she examined the space. “Actually, I think she might’ve pulled a bait and switch. She’s probably in my car halfway to Vegas by now. You’re stuck with me. Sorry.”

“I can think of worse things.”

She looked back at him. That smirk was back, but now it was smoldering. Her heart rate jumped. No way, she told herself. Calm down. You’re not falling for that act again. Crane was trying to turn the tables on her. She wouldn’t let him.

She really should’ve been working on the panel by now. But she was actually enjoying their chat. Probably because she was still winning. If Crane was going to play with her, at least she could be a tough competitor in his little game.

A shiver of excitement went through her. Yeah, she was really enjoying this. So much more than she should.

Sylvie kept walking around the room. The man had all kinds of musical instruments on the wall behind the grand piano. Guitars, banjos, violins. Trumpets and clarinets. Some looked antique. It was quite a collection.

“Do you play any of these?”

“Nope.”

Dominic’s voice was much louder now. He’d snuck up behind her. How did he do that? She hadn’t even heard him get up.

Seems like a tiger to me, Maureen.

“I never had the discipline to learn when I was growing up.” He pushed air through his nose. “Or now, I guess. This all belongs to my mother. She plays the piano and the strings. Not the others, but she likes collecting rare, expensive things.”

Sylvie didn’t want to glance at him because she’d be looking up, and that felt like a concession. But the warmth of him glowed against her side. “Does she come here often?”

“Not in the last few years. She lives in Norway with her new husband. Some kind of banker, I think.”

“What about your dad?” Sylvie didn’t even know why she was asking. She was supposed to be acting superior and aloof. Any minute, she expected Dominic to scoff at her show of interest.

But he just said, “He has early dementia. My mom left before that happened, and she didn’t feel enough pity to come back. Can’t blame her. But that’s also why my brother Warren took over the family business in his place.”

He’d said all that so casually. “And then you were up when Warren went to prison?”

“Yep. Then it was me. To everyone’s great disappointment and regret.”

Was he serious? Or was he messing with her?

She couldn’t resist any longer. She looked up at him.

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