Hacking Mr. CEO by Anna Hackett
My Eyes Are Wide Open
Remi
Isat in the back of the limo, my belly churning.
Mav sat beside me, brooding. His dark mood filled the vehicle.
“Your friends are…very protective.”
“They’ve both been through some situations lately. Both have fallen in love.”
“I read about some of it. Two billionaire bachelors off the market is big news.” I fiddled with my fingers in my lap. “You’re lucky to have friends like that.”
He took my hand. “When this is over, when it’s safe, I’ll explain it to them. You aren’t a traitor, Remi.”
“Thanks to you. If I’d kept my blinders on…” I shivered.
“But you didn’t.”
I dragged in a breath. “Who’s Hannah?”
He stiffened, sending a fierce scowl at his shoes.
I slipped my hand free. “Sorry. None of my business.”
Dark eyes met mine, churning.
My belly clutched.
“Met her in college. Fell for her.”
Ugh. I felt claws in my belly and looked out the window. I hated the idea of Mav falling for anyone.
I couldn’t stop myself from looking back.
“She was tall, blonde, pretty, smart,” he said.
Okay, now I really, really hated Miss Perky Hannah. “What happened?” I whispered.
“She was a fake. A fraud. I’d just sold a computer chip. My first big deal.”
“You were about to make a lot of money.”
“Yeah.” A muscle ticked in his jaw. “I noticed her slipping out to make a few calls. Being cagey about messages.” He made a harsh sound. “I was worried she was cheating on me. They were messages from her father.”
“You hacked her phone.”
He nodded. “Her father owned a chain of electronics stores. He was on the verge of bankruptcy and had engineered all of it. For her to run into me at a party. To be the perfect, attentive girlfriend. She even had this guy from before me. She told me they were just friends, but I think it was more. She was a liar, a fraud.”
“Did she explain?”
“I didn’t give her the chance. She was crying, pleading, she was sorry—” He shook his head. “She taught me a lesson.”
Oh, Mav.That woman had hurt him, scarred him.
And he’d shown me that part of himself.
Ignoring all the warning alarms that I was getting in way too deep I shifted closer.
“One of my first foster homes—” I cleared my throat “—it was nice. I liked the parents. They had a daughter a few years older than me. She did my hair, gave me candy, told me that we would be sisters.”
A dark look settled on his face and he entwined our fingers.
“But in our bedroom, she’d turn nasty. She’d pinch and scratch me where it wouldn’t show. Under my shirt, I was a mass of bruises. She told me I wasn’t her real sister, that I was trash. My parents didn’t want me, and they threw me away like trash.”
“That’s nothing to do with you. She was mean, and probably had her own issues.”
“I know. Mama helped me realize that.” Remi leaned closer. “And Hannah had her own issues, too. They were nothing to do with you. You were just a pawn that got caught in her mess.”
Something flickered in his eyes. He brushed his nose against hers. “I really want to kiss you right now.”
“I really want you to kiss me right now.”
He slid a hand into her hair. “But I’m not going to, or I’ll end up tearing that dress off you and fucking you on this seat.”
My womb spasmed. “Um, again, I’m totally on board.”
He growled. I loved that sound.
“We just turned onto your street.”
Dammit. The limo stopped and a second later, I saw the curtains in the house twitch. Mama had been waiting for me.
Mav’s fingers stroked my skin. “I need to get home and see what our dragon angel is doing. This is our one chance to find The Shadow and stop him.”
I nodded, trying to get my hormones under control.
Damn hormones.
Mav opened the door and stepped out. He helped me out of the limo.
“I’ll walk you to the door,” he said.
A billionaire walking me to the door of an auto shop. I felt a giggle welling.
I pulled out my key, and when I heard a throat clear, I turned.
Mama, with her arms crossed, was standing at her gate.
“Evening, Mama.”
Her gaze was on Mav. “Did you have a good evening?”
“Yes. Mama, this is Maverick. Mav, this is Mama Alma.”
“A pleasure to meet you.” He held out a hand. “Remi speaks very highly of you.”
Mama shook his hand, studying him like he was a bug. “I hope you’re treating my girl right, Maverick.”
He smiled, his teeth white in the darkness. “Remi wouldn’t let me get away with it, if I didn’t.”
Mama smiled. “That is very true.”
“Um…I’d better head up,” I said.
Mav turned back toward me and our gazes locked.
“Good night, Remi.”
“Night, Mav.” I handed back his jacket.
He strode back to the limo and I watched his powerful stride. Okay, I watched his ass.
He slid into the car with a wave, and the limo prowled off down the street.
“What are you doing, child?”
Without the added warmth of Mav’s jacket, the chilly night air crept under my cape. I turned to Mama. “We’re working together.”
She made a sound. “I’m old, not dead. He doesn’t look at you like it’s work, and I saw you eyeing that boy’s mighty fine ass.”
I took half a second to marvel that she’d called Maverick Rivera a boy.
“He’s a billionaire, Remi. He’s different, and billionaires do as they please, with whomever they please, and then move on.”
That was nothing I hadn’t already told myself.
“You don’t know him, Mama. And I know. My eyes are wide open.”
“I know, child.” She cupped my cheek. “You’ve always been so smart, but also so hungry for love. Like a sponge. A prickly one, but still a sponge, ready to soak it up.”
“I…I won’t fall in love with him.”
I couldn’t afford that heartache.
Mama made a harrumphing sound. “I’m tired. Time for bed.”
I kissed her cheek. “Night, Mama. Love you.”
“I love you, too.”
I watched her carefully negotiate the stairs.
“You were the first person I loved,” I told her.
She turned. “It’s an honor. Now don’t make me cry, or no cookies for you tomorrow.”
With a smile, I headed inside and up to my loft.
I shed my dress, hanging it up, then carefully set the jewelry aside. I pulled on my red-plaid pajama bottoms and a fitted, long-sleeved, black top.
Ah, it was so good to ditch the bra and heels.
I loosened my hair, and took my time washing my makeup off.
I was thinking of Mav as I drifted off to sleep.
* * *
Remi
I woke in the pitch blackness, and blinked.
Frowning, I rolled and looked to the glow of the bedside clock through the gauzy curtain around my bed.
2:05 AM.
With a groan, I flopped back on my pillow. I’d only been asleep a few hours. I wondered what had woken me?
I didn’t remember any X-rated dreams starring a certain tech billionaire. Dragging in a breath, I rolled over.
Then I frowned.
I smelled smoke.
I sat up and sniffed again. It wasn’t super strong, but it was definitely noticeable.
Reaching over, I turned on my bedside lamp, then slipped on a comfy pair of running shoes, and my favorite knit cardigan. Habit had me sliding my phone into my pocket.
Heading down the stairs, I sniffed. Nothing seemed amiss in Steve’s workshop.
Then I heard shouts from outside, and my pulse spiked.
Rushing to the door, I yanked it open. Horror hit me like a tidal wave.
Mama’s house was on fire.
I saw flames. I saw smoke.
“Mama!” God, the kids.
I ran to the front door and banged on it. “Mama!”
That’s when I saw the chain and padlock, and my chest froze. Someone had locked the door shut.
No. No!
I raced to Steve’s basement apartment. “Steve!” God, it was locked shut, too.
Panic and fear were hot and slick in my veins.
“Remi!” Steve’s muffled shout. “I can smell smoke. The door’s blocked. We can’t get out.”
What did I do?
“Hold on,” I shouted.
I raced back up and saw windows open above. Charlie’s terrified face looked down at me.
“Remi! There’s a fire.”
“I know, Charlie. Hold on. I’ll get you out.”
I yanked my phone out, hand shaking.
“Remi?” Mav’s sleep-gritty voice.
“Mav, oh, God.”
“What’s wrong?” He sounded alert.
“Mama’s house is on fire! The doors are chained shut. Mav—”
“Stay calm. I’m on my way. I’ll call 9-1-1. Remi, go and get Boone.”
“Who?” I couldn’t think.
“My man across the street.”
“Oh, right.”
“Do not go in that building, Remi. I’m coming.”
I shoved the phone in my pocket, and darted across the street. Lights were coming on in the surrounding houses, and people were coming out.
“Call 9-1-1,” I yelled.
I raced to the door of Mrs. Hansen’s house. Before I thumped my fist on it, the door was yanked open.
A wall of muscled, shirtless chest greeted me. The guy was ripped, and held a pistol at his side. His rugged face looked grim.
“The house is on fire,” I yelled. “The doors have been chained shut.”
He glanced past me and muttered a curse.
He shoved the gun in the back of his jeans, then swiveled. He was back a second later, shrugging a plaid shirt on. He had bolt cutters, and an axe in his hands.
We raced back to the house.
I looked up—Charlie, Jamal, and Naomi were at the windows, coughing and crying.
Boone thundered down to Steve’s basement.
“Hold on!” I yelled at the kids.
“The fire is in here,” Jamal screamed.
Boone returned a second later. Steve staggered behind him, clutching a hysterical Kaylee in his arms.
Boone positioned himself under the window, legs braced. “Jump, kid.”
Jamal’s eyes went wide.
“We’ve got you,” I cried. “Come on.” I moved in close to Boone and waved.
“Go on, Jamal,” Naomi said.
Jamal threw his skinny legs over the window sill. He was in a pair of blue pajamas.
He jumped.
Boone caught him and handed him off to me.
“Come on.” Boone waved at Charlie next.
The little boy leaped.
Boone caught him as well.
Naomi hesitated.
“You can do this, Naomi,” I said.
She pulled in a shuddering breath and jumped. Boone caught her, going back a step.
I raced to her, hugging her tight. “Come and sit with the boys on the sidewalk. You’re fine. It’ll be fine.”
“Mama?” Naomi said, tears tracking down her cheeks.
“We’ll get her.” I fought my own fear and looked at Boone. “Our mother is inside.”
Boone nodded. He took the bolt cutters and put them against the chain on the door.
Snap.
He yanked the door open, and flames and smoke roared out.
Boone shoved me to the side.
“Where’s her room?” he demanded.
God, how could anyone survive this?
“Remi,” Boone barked. “Where’s her room?”
“Upstairs.” Tears ran down my face. “Back left. Here.” I shrugged off my cardigan.
He pulled the garment over his head, and disappeared into the inferno.
God. God. She had to be all right.
I wanted to help. But I took one step into the doorway, and it was like entering the gates of hell.
Sirens cut through the night, and a fire engine screamed down the street.
I moved over to the kids, hugging them.
The truck screeched to a halt, and soon, firefighters streamed around, shouting orders.
“Anyone inside?” one of them yelled.
“Our mother,” I said. “And our neighbor went to get her.”
“Get the hoses going,” the man yelled. “We’ve got two people inside, and we need to stop it before she spreads.”
I kept my gaze on the door. Please, please.
Somewhere, a window shattered.
Onlookers screamed.
“Remi.” Charlie grabbed me, clenching hard.
I patted his back. “It’ll be okay.”
He let go and Naomi grabbed him.
A sleek sports car sped down the street and slammed to a halt. When I saw Mav’s tall form leap out, something inside me clenched tight.
He shoved past the firefighters; his gaze locked on me.
“Mav.”
He lifted me off my feet and I wrapped myself around him. He was so big, so strong.
“Mama’s still inside—” my voice cracked “—and Boone’s in there.”
“Jesus.” Mav held me tight.
We stared at the door. Please, please.
Suddenly, a big form staggered out the door, something held in its arms.
“Oh, my God,” I cried.
Mav let me go and he raced forward, as Boone broke into a hacking cough.
“We need help!” Mav roared. He took Mama from Boone.
I grabbed Boone, leaning into his side. He kept coughing. I took some of his weight, and nearly staggered.
Ahead, I saw Mav put Mama on a stretcher. Paramedics rushed around her.
She was so still.
Then a firefighter and another paramedic took Boone.
“I’m fine.” The man coughed again.
“Dude, we’re putting a mask on you.” The paramedic was a tall, broad, bald, African-American man. “Don’t make me get rough.”
Boone gave a reluctant nod.
Mav returned, his arms wrapping around me.
“God, Mav.” I pushed my hair back. “Someone chained the doors closed. God.”
My phone vibrated. I almost ignored it, but I pulled it out.
An email from The Shadow.
It was a picture of Mav and me, kissing at Guastavino’s.
“No.” Nausea welled. “It was The Shadow. He did this.”
Mav cursed and tipped his chin up. “It’s going to be okay.”
“How is this okay?” I whispered.
“I’ll protect you and your family, Remi. I promise.”
