Hacking Mr. CEO (Billionaire Heists #3) by Anna Hackett

I looked into the mirror.

Man, I totally sucked at lying to myself.

I heard the honk of a horn outside and grabbed the black evening bag. I shoved my phone, lipstick, and wallet inside. I grabbed my black, evening cape and slipped it on.

When the dress had arrived, I’d taken the time to paint my nails to match. They were now the same deep blue, with little gold jewels on some of them.

I headed down the stairs carefully in my heels. I paused. There was no sound in the workshop. Steve would be at home with Kaylee.

I snuck out of the garage.

And spotted a huge, black limo on the street.

My jaw dropped open. Holy cow.

I hustled toward it.

A door opened behind me.

“Remi?”

At the sound of Mama’s voice, I winced and spun.

She stood in her doorway, looking down at me. Her eyes widened, taking in my dress, then the limo.

“Um, I have a work thing in Manhattan.”

Her brows rose. “A work thing?”

“Yes.”

“Remi, I know when you’re lying, child.”

“I’m not lying.” Just not telling you the entire truth.

“You’re all right?”

I walked up the stairs and took her hands. “Yes, I’m all right.”

She studied me a long time. “Okay.” Her face softened. “You look beautiful.”

I smiled. “I feel beautiful.”

Mama smiled. “I’m sure he’ll think so, too.”

“Who?”

“Whoever the man is who’s put that twinkle in your eye.”

“Mama, a woman doesn’t need a man for that.”

“Pfft, only a special someone who gets the juices flowing can put that look on a woman’s face.”

I winced. “I am not talking about any sort of flowing juices with you.”

She kissed my cheek. “Go. Have fun.”

I hurried to the limo, and the driver held the door open for me and nodded.

I wasn’t off to have fun. I was off to hack Rayner, so we could track The Shadow, and ultimately, I could save Mama.

I fidgeted as we drove. The limo was gorgeous—buttery-leather seats, spacious and luxurious.

I heard the driver make a call in front. He had an earpiece in his ear.

“Yes, sir, we’re en route.” A pause. “Yes, she’s wearing the dress.”

I looked out the window and smiled.

When we finally pulled up, I saw the Queensboro Bridge and a crowd.

Oh, I hadn’t thought to ask where the event was. I figured it would be at some fancy hotel ballroom.

This was Guastavino’s.

It was a New York City landmark. Tucked in under the bridge, it had a famous, tiled, vaulted ceiling. It was a favorite location for events and weddings.

The driver helped me out and I dragged in a deep breath.

I saw a line of people moving inside the glass doors. Urns taller than me were filled with cherry blossoms.

I lifted my chin. All around me were men in tuxedos, and women in designer dresses.

No one knows that you don’t belong, Remi.

Despite the seriousness of the night, I was going to enjoy it. I showed the invite Mav had sent with the dress, and then I was in.

I checked my cape and walked into the main room.

“Oh, wow.”

The vaulted, tile ceiling was beautiful and unique. The space was filled with large, round tables, with giant centerpieces filled with more elegant cherry blossoms. The entire place was lit up with pale-pink light.

It looked like a dream.

An expensive, elegant dream.

“Champagne, miss?” A server in a white suit stopped in front of me, holding a tray of champagne flutes.

“Hell, yes.” I took a flute and sipped. Yum.

I wandered the crowd. I saw a few faces I recognized—politicians, actors, models, well-known business people. The Who’s Who of the wealthy and famous of New York.

Where the hell was Mav?

I wandered some more. A man smiled at me. He was handsome, and looked good in his tux. I gave him a polite smile and kept moving.

“A beautiful woman I haven’t met. I just had to rectify the situation.”

I turned. This one was handsome, too. Clean-cut man, blond, cute face.

“Does that line work for you a lot?” I asked.

He smiled. “Fifty-fifty.”

Then I felt a prickle on the back of my neck.

The man glanced past me, and his smile slipped. I looked back, and everything in me clenched with need.

Mav stalked toward me. Everything about him was dark—a black tux with a black shirt, and a black scowl.

My pulse skidded, then raced.

I glanced back at the blond man. “Keep practicing. He doesn’t even need a line.”

I turned to face my incoming dragon.

He stopped an inch from me, his hot gaze sliding down, then up.

“Who was the guy?” he growled.

“What guy?” I knew people were watching us. I straightened his bowtie. “Good evening to you, too. Why, thank you, I think the dress looks great, too. And you look hot in a tux.”

He growled again, then yanked me close and kissed me.





Mav


Mav lifted Remi off her feet, his mouth taking hers hard.

There wasn’t much to her, so it was easy to hold her pinned against him. She made a hungry sound, and kissed him back. Giving as good as she got.