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

“Well, Aspen’s sisters text me at least twice a day, giddy about having her apartment to themselves,” Liam said.

Aspen snagged a glass of champagne from a server. “Hey, I have a multi-million-dollar penthouse to call home now. I’m not complaining. I do miss Mrs. Kerber, though. My old neighbor. I’ve asked Juno and Briar to help her if her bird, Skittles, escapes again.”

And there it was. Aspen was good, down to her bones.

“And,” Liam said. “My personal PI managed to track down the girls in the photographs with my father.” The man’s lip curled.

Mav’s fingers tightened on his glass. Liam hated his father. The elder Kensington was an asshole with a predilection for underage, teenage girls. That, mixed in with some white-collar criminals and a blackmail attempt, was how Aspen and Liam had met.

Aspen leaned into her man. “One of the girls has agreed to press charges.”

Liam’s smile was grim. “My father will finally pay for his crimes.”

Mav lifted his glass. “I’ll drink to that.”

“Well, my billionaire boyfriend is driving me nuts,” Monroe declared, in an obvious attempt to lighten the mood.

Zane rolled his eyes.

Mav raised a brow. “He can be pretty annoying at times.”

Now Zane shot Mav a narrow look.

“He wants to invest in Lady Locksmith and help me expand the stores,” Monroe said.

Aspen swiveled. “And that’s a bad thing?”

Liam nodded. “Sounds like a good investment, to me.”

Monroe, daughter of a career thief, ran a locksmith shop, specializing in providing female locksmiths to the women of New York. She was also a pro at cracking a safe, which was how she’d met Zane—when she’d cracked his.

“I know, but it’s mine.” Monroe’s nose wrinkled. “He owns the rest of New York.”

Zane tugged her close. “I just want you happy.”

She cupped his cheek. “I am happy.”

Mav had to look away. The song changed.

“Oh, I love this one,” Monroe said. “Come on. We’re dancing.”

Liam groaned. “Chandler here has two left feet.”

His woman elbowed him. “You were warned.”

“But for the chance to hold you in my arms, darling, it’s worth the pain.”

The couples headed off and Mav felt… It sure as hell wasn’t envy. Relief. Yeah, he was too smart to get tangled up with that.

“Maverick Rivera,” a voice drawled.

He turned and hid a grimace. Oh, no.

Mrs. Randolph, one of New York’s most prominent socialites, bore down on him.

“I want to introduce you to my lovely daughter.” The woman tilted her coiffed head.

Mav saw the tall, slim blonde nearby. She smiled coyly at him.

“No,” he growled.

Mrs. Randolph missed a step and blinked. She probably didn’t hear that word often. “Well, I think there’s no harm in—”

“No.” Mav held up his empty glass. “I need a drink. Have a nice evening.”

He headed to the bar.

Yeah, Hannah had taught him a lesson, and his heart was too scarred to ever let anyone in again.

He loved his family.

He loved Zane and Liam, and now their women.

But Mav was never, ever falling in love again.

He leaned against the bar. “Scotch. A double.”





2





Fort Knox





Remi


I stared at the screen, my gut churning. The cursor blinked at me.

I had a job from the black-hat board.

There was a crash from the next room.

“Hey,” I called out. “Don’t break anything.”

“Sorry, Remi,” Charlie chimed. “It was an accident.”

Sure, it was. I sat at the kitchen table, and Mama was taking a nap. The kids were back from school, and I’d offered to look after them for a bit. She’d looked so tired. I nibbled on my bottom lip. I knew Charlie and Jamal were wrestling.

Naomi was humming behind me as she made a cake. She had air pods in her ears, and was dancing a little as she mixed and stirred.

Jamal streaked through the kitchen, laughing, followed by a determined-looking Charlie. A few seconds later, a giggling Kaylee followed, trying to keep up with the boys.

It felt like a rock lodged in my throat.

If Mama didn’t make it…

I dropped my head into my hands. The job waiting for me itched. I’ve never broken the law before. Okay, one time I’d shoplifted, because Marianne Anderson had dared me. I’d taken a tube of lip-gloss and a packet of chewing gum. When Mama found out, she’d marched me down to the store to return them and apologize. I’d also done my fair share of hacking, which wasn’t strictly legal, but I’d never stolen or compromised anything.

Shit, if Mama knew what I was considering, she’d freak.

The front door opened, and I heard heavy footsteps. I closed the lid on my laptop.

Steve came in. He wore a black T-shirt with Steve’s Auto embroidered on it, and he had a greasy rag hanging from the back pocket of his jeans.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hi.”

Kaylee rushed in. “Daddy!”

Steve hugged his daughter tight. “How’s my best girl?”