Page 61 of Hard Wired

Chapter Nineteen

Sylvie paced across the guestroom. She couldn’t keep still.

She’d already changed into flannel pajamas. Maureen had provided them, along with some toiletries for her to use. The housekeeper hadn’t specified where these items came from, but Sylvie could guess she wasn’t the first female guest to stay overnight unexpectedly.

Tanner was in a room somewhere else in the house. He seemed to have had a perfectly nice evening, as if he wasn’t bothered at all by their true mission. She didn’t know how Tanner could be so easygoing. Just smiling and accepting Maureen’s hospitality, while knowing he and Sylvie were here for an entirely different purpose.

He’d be keeping an ear out, while another of Sylvie’s team—someone she trusted to keep this sleepover quiet, not Priyanka—would watch Dominic’s security cameras to make sure no uninvited Syndicate guests turned up.

All evening, every time Dominic had smiled at her or brushed her hair affectionately, she’d nearly been sick. Either Dominic was a monster, or she was.

Max was counting on her. This plan had been her idea, and she didn’t know any other way to get back at those Russian hackers.

She couldn’t go through with this. But she had to go through with it.

Sylvie forced herself to breathe. She needed to think.

Everything Dominic had said or done tonight spoke to his sincerity. Was she just that gullible? Or had he been telling her the truth, all this time? If Dominic hadn’t lied to her, then…what? Should she call this off?

If the Syndicate was now his enemy, then taking them down would be a good thing for him too. Except he’d suggested he might reclaim his place as its leader. Not because he wanted to, but because he “should.” Whatever that meant.

He’d called it “the family business.” If Sylvie helped destroy the Syndicate, how would he react? Would he thank her for freeing him? Or would he hate her for interfering?

Her mind was spinning in circles trying to track the different possibilities, and it was leaving her dizzy.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. She opened the door and found Dominic in the hallway. He’d changed from his jeans into the same faded pair of sweatpants she’d seen him in before. His white tee was the same, snug over his toned upper body.

“Can I come in?”

Flutters of anxiety spread through her insides. “Of course.” She stepped aside.

Dominic glanced over like he’d heard something strange in her voice. “You okay? You had fun tonight?”

“Definitely. I had a great time. I don’t think I said enough thank-yous to Maureen. She’s an amazing cook.”

“She is. I’m lucky to have her. She made tonight special, without me even having to ask.” He walked over to her bed and sat on the edge of it. Sylvie sat down next to him, gripping the bedspread beneath her hands.

“It was almost like a date,” he said, “except I couldn’t take you out because I’m legally barred from leaving my house. And my dates don’t usually bring bodyguards along with them. Though maybe they should.”

She laughed, and the sound was too high-pitched.

“You sure nothing’s wrong?”

“No. Er, yes. Nothing. Maybe I’m just…nervous.”

He turned those intense dark eyes on her. “I make you nervous?”

“A little. That can’t be a surprise.”

He leaned toward her. “You always surprise me.” His voice was breathy. But instead of kissing her mouth, he kissed her forehead. “I hate to do this. But would you mind if I take a rain check on the rest of tonight? The experimenting. I’m not in the right headspace. I’m sorry. It’s nothing to do with you, I promise.”

Half the tension left her body. There was no way she could’ve slept with him knowing what she was really here to do. She would’ve made a terrible spy.

“It’s totally fine. You don’t have to apologize.” But she also didn’t know what to think. If Dominic had truly wanted to manipulate her, wouldn’t he be eager to sleep with her?

“I know that’s why you came over here.” He raised his eyebrows. “So you could use me for sex.”

Sylvie almost choked as she coughed. “That’s not the only reason.”

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