“Yes, she would post for both—making sure we both stay strong,” Sylveria says.
I study her, looking for any hint that she knows Malice Media is in trouble. “I don’t need help with Malice Media.”
Her eyelids half lower, and her smile is cagey. “Don’t you?”
“Spill it, Sylveria.” I glance at the only exit in the room.
She swallows. “Just rumors and I can’t verify them. Yet.”
“What rumors?” Justice asks quietly, effectively blocking any way to freedom.
She purses her lips. The woman is about fifteen years older than I am and has the irritated look most mothers can manage. “The rumor on the street is that you’re having server issues. We’ve been tracking Malice Media in real time and have yet to discern a problem.” She places her glass on the nearby table. “However, when you kidnapped Alana Beaumont, I did have to wonder.”
“Stop wondering.” That was all about Alana, but I’m not telling this woman anything. If she sees Alana as a threat, then my woman is in danger. Considering she’s not under my roof or control right now, the least I can do is keep a target off her back. “I need a mate who has an affinity with the garnets, as I do.” Throughout the ages, families have sought mates with connections to the crystals, and it’s logical I might want the same thing.
Sylveria’s chest fills as if she’s found an opening. “Both of my girls can charge diamonds. Think about combining them with garnets.”
“Don’t your servers also run on citrines?” Justice asks quietly. It’s true, and we all know it. I need to do a deeper dive on Ella, considering she’s Alana’s friend. Perhaps she can charge citrines.
“Yes, but the diamonds are what have propelled us to number two. I want to be number one. I’m not going to lie to you.” Sylveria’s smile shows teeth, hungry ones. “But with Cal Sokolov and Alana marrying within the month, we need to shore up our defenses against a hostile takeover. You are prepared, are you not?”
I smile, and her eyes widen slightly before she covers her reaction. “I’m more than prepared. What do your daughters say about this offer of yours?”
“They’re both on board.” She lifts one toned shoulder. “They’ve always been a bit competitive, so whoever loses out will be quite ticked.” She hums softly as if considering her next words carefully. “Mathias Beaumont will need a new heir, so I may take my next offer to him.”
I grind my back teeth together, grateful the mint is still working. “Mathias is in his late fifties.”
“So? My husband was two decades older than me.” She stands and, for the first time, true emotion splashes across her face, leaving her perfect skin scarlet from anger. “Stop playing around here. You don’t want to turn me down.”
“I’ll think about it,” I say, not meaning a word.
Triumph glitters in her eyes. “How about you come over for dinner tomorrow night and meet the girls in person? You never know when Cupid might strike.”
I’d like to get to her servers. She’s difficult to read, and I suspect she’d have no problem infecting a server or garnet if she found a way. But I can’t tell if she’s the one who cursed me, and interrogating a woman holds little appeal.
Not that I wouldn’t do it. But right now, kidnapping and torturing the head of TimeGem Moments, even if she’s arrogant enough to walk right into my web, would be a mistake I don’t have time to handle. My thoughts burn with the woman who’s too far away right now. “Sounds lovely.” I nod for Justice to escort Sylveria out.
The fire burns too hot inside me, and I’m done being rational. I have to find Alana.
TWENTY-TWO
Alana
I settle in with my third martini in the slinky bar and face my cousins, curious about them. Nico appears relaxed for once after having taken off his jacket, and he seems to be enjoying his Skrewball whiskey. The choice both surprises and amuses me.
He’s the one who insisted we all go for drinks.
Scarlett is busy fending off free drinks from tech guys while sipping on a cosmopolitan, and Quinlan is drinking a bourbon, with his jacket hanging off his chair and his sleeves rolled up. He’s handsome in a classic Italian way, and his gaze scans the area, as if looking for threats. “We weren’t expecting the call to join Aquarius today,” he says.
“How do you feel about that?” I ask. He was close with my brother, but I don’t know this guy.
“I don’t know or really trust you or your father,” he admits.
“I like my job at Aquarius as a computer programmer, and taking more responsibility for tech is a challenge I might welcome.”
I appreciate his honesty. “Nico and I don’t know you, either. However, it would be great if all of you could combine to help charge the crystals once in a while.”
He looks at me, his gaze appraising. “I bet you do get tired.”
Scarlett taps the table with a red nail. “I never really thought about it.”
“Most people don’t.” Yet another thing Thorn and I have in common, and he doesn’t even know it. Yeah, I feel a little vindicated that he assumed there isn’t more to know about me than what everyone sees onscreen.
Scarlett snorts. “I’ve tried to charge crystals before and it’s exhausting.”
“Me too,” Nico adds, motioning to the waitress to bring another round. She has to be in her midforties, and he’s flirting with her with all he’s worth. She’s batting her eyes right back. “Alana, I’ve never seen you stand up to your father like that before. I was impressed.”
“As was I,” Quinlan says.
Scarlett shrugs, apparently bored. “Why don’t you stand up to your father?”
I smile. “This is my first week on the board of directors. Before that, my job was charging the crystals and posting continually.” I do like being the face of Aquarius and directing its focus.
“You have almost six million followers,” she says, the sound slightly unwilling. Does she want me to be a bonehead, or is she seeing more to me and isn’t sure what to make of it? Not that I care what my cousins think.
“It’s necessary,” I admit. “We’re in trouble because of my absence the last few days, but I’m building on viewer curiosity fast.”
Quinlan downs the rest of his glass. “I saw. You’re obviously not afraid of Thorn Beathach.”