Page 53 of Hard Wired

“It’s time we exploit those connections. If the Syndicate is going to gain a foothold in West Oaks, we need to neutralize Bennett Security. They’ve been causing problems for us, and your uncle wants to know that won’t keep happening. If you can deliver Bennett Security to us, then all will be forgiven. Your uncle will know you’re still as loyal as you claim to be.”

Dominic bit the inside of his cheek. “How am I supposed to do that?”

Sandford took something else from his bag—a tiny flash drive with a USB connector. Dominic hardly knew anything about computers, but he knew what that was for.

“This drive has a specially written program on it. It’s a more updated version of the one we tried to get onto Sylvie’s laptop the last time she was here. I don’t know all the technical aspects, but apparently the experts we hired had more trouble breaching her system than they expected. But if you get this onto her hard drive, our computer friends will be able to take care of the rest.”

Dominic sat back against the couch, crossing his arms. He was working very hard to keep his expression neutral. “You’re overestimating how much Sylvie trusts me. After the last time, I doubt she’ll ever come near me again. Much less let me plug things into her computer.”

Sandford’s smirk was lascivious. Dominic wanted to punch it off the guy’s face. “Don’t sell yourself short. I have the feeling Sylvie Trousseau will let you plug anything into her hard drive you desire. All you have to do is seduce her. You’re probably most of the way there. Or maybe you’ve already had her? And she’ll be eager for more?”

Dominic stood rapidly, fists at his sides. Sandford shuffled back, sending a panicked glance at his Neanderthal bodyguard. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Because then Alexi will have to punish you, and you’ll have to explain your performance problems to Sylvie. Just do what we say. Make your uncle happy. And you won’t have to find out what Charles will do if you fail.”

Dominic said nothing more to Sandford, just showed him and his muscle to the door.

There was no way he’d trick Sylvie into coming back here so he could use her. He wasn’t going to betray her that way or put her in any more danger.

Uncle Charles hadn’t mentioned Raymond again. Nor had Sandford. Dominic still worried about his brother’s safety. But if Charles really wanted to unite the Syndicate and have the express support of the Crane family, then he wouldn’t harm Raymond.

Right?

But either way, Dominic wasn’t trading his brother’s safety for Sylvie’s welfare. There had to be some other way to make his uncle leave him alone. He’d give his endorsement, even lick the bottoms of his uncle’s boots if that was what the man demanded.

But Dominic was leaving Sylvie out of it.

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