Chapter TWELVE
CARTER:
Another day and another pointless conference call down, and I’m still no closer to figuring out what is going on than I was weeks ago. I know something is happening with Lintech’s system, but I’m still not able to put my finger on what this hacker wants. The only thing that I know for certain is he’s rebuilding our firewalls and security from the inside out, and every time leaving his mark. Nothing else has been affected, so I’m not sure if this is a game, if things are being cloned, or if this person is just fucking with me. My team is the best, and we’re still unable to keep this guy out. If the FBI’s best can’t seem to track him, I don’t know how I am. I called my friend from college weeks ago when we first noticed activity, and he didn’t seem at all surprised, but there have been no updates since.
Either way, we are mere weeks away from a launch that will revolutionize the tech world in a way we have never seen before. This new computer and the technology it prototypes will change how everything works. It will make every piece of technology infinitely faster, transmit information, enable government agencies to filter and quantify data in an instant, but if one piece is tainted, it will ruin everything.
“Mr. Linwood?” Leanne’s voice cuts through my frustration.
“Yeah?” I look up to find her peeking her head through the door.
“There’s a Marcus Booth on line two. He said it’s urgent. I’m going to go ahead and take off for the day if you’re ok with that.”
“Thank you, and yeah go ahead. It’s already after five. You know you don’t have to ask.”
“Have a good night then.”
“You too, Leanne. See you Monday.”
I wait until the door closes behind her to pick up the phone. “This is Carter.”
“Carter,” Marcus’s deep voice comes across the line.
“Marcus, I was just thinking about this,” I greet.
“How long has it been since you’ve spoken with your brother?” he asks, and I’m caught completely off guard.
“Braxton?”
“Yeah, Braxton. Do you have any more siblings I don’t know about?”
“Ok, smart ass. I haven’t heard from Braxton since around the time Dad died. I tried for a few years, but nothing. I gave up. Our paths have crossed a few times since then, but it’s been at least a year since I’ve had any contact with him.”
“Do you think he’d have any reason to hold a grudge against you?”
I let out a sharp laugh, “Does he have a reason? No. But does he? Definitely, but I’ve tried to rectify that. It sounds like you are insinuating that Braxton is behind all this…” I massage my brow in frustration.
“Not behind it, but helping,” Marcus corrects.
“No offense to Braxton, but honestly he couldn’t pull this off. He is clueless when it comes to tech. He was going to school for pre-law…”
“I understand that, but it seems…God, I could get fired for telling you this, but he’s part of an ongoing Federal investigation.”
“Okay,” I reply slowly, and he sighs another heavy sigh.
“Look, Carter, I can’t give you details, but we’ve been working this case for years and it is finally coming to a head. He’s somehow managed to get involved in some pretty heavy criminal activity. The group he’s operating with has direct ties to the Russian mafia, and some pretty high-profile people. We’re close to putting pieces together, but we still can’t trace this hacker. Whoever they are, they’re good. The FBI has been looking for them for years now.”
“Jesus Christ, Marcus. What is Braxton doing? What do they want?”
“We have a guy that was just able to infiltrate and get on the inside. The word is that they are trying to either thwart the launch of the Quantum Computer, or they are trying to steal the plans and launch before you can somehow. He still isn’t sure.”
“What do we do? This can’t happen. Lintech has billions invested in this. We already have pending government and military contracts on the books.” I feel my stress, as well as my anger levels rising.
“Right now? Nothing more than you already are. We’ll keep our guys on the inside of Lintech for the time being, and we’ll be in touch. You have my number, so call me if you think of anything else or hear anything.”
“Ok. Thanks, man.”
“You, bet. I owed you one anyways,” he laughs.
“Right. Well considering the nature of the situation, I think I owe you one now.”
“You’re probably right,” he laughs, “Talk to you soon.”
I hang up the phone and just try to process. My own fucking brother. This goes beyond anything that I was imagining.
****
Anika was already gone by the time I finally pulled myself from my office. It took me awhile to wrap my head around everything Marcus told me. Anger and disbelief are wearing me down as I key in my entry code for the gym. Hitting something is the only way to give me the rush I need right now because there’s no way I’m going to the club. Without Anika, there’s no appeal. Quickly I went from the man that needed only myself to the man that needed only one woman. I can’t even answer why because I don’t know the answers. The only thing I know with any certainty is she’s the only person I want to share things with, laugh with, and the first and last person on my mind every day. For once it isn’t about the sex, it is about everything else and this feeling inside my chest and the pit of my stomach that tells me she is my purpose, and life without her is pointless.
I change out of my suit and glove up before heading to the ring.
“Carter, how’s it going, man?” I turn to find my trainer ready and waiting for me.
“Mad Max! Thanks for meeting me on such short notice. I need to hit something,” I say bumping gloves with him.
“It’s been awhile. You sure you just want to dive back into it?” he raises his dark brow, eyeing me skeptically. He knows how I train.
“You know I wouldn’t ask if I was unsure,” I challenge back.
“Fair enough, but I’m not taking it easy on your white ass just because you slacked for a couple weeks.”
“That’s what I’m counting on.” I grin, and he shakes his head as he begins to dance around me.
“You gonna stand there all day and eye fuck me, or are ya gonna hit me pretty boy?”
I take a swing, which he blocks easily. That’s to be expected when your trainer is a former UFC champion. We trade hits back and forth. I’m getting my ass handed to me, when I hear a familiar voice. I feel a sharp jab to my jaw and grunt.
“Come on, pretty boy. I taught you better than that! You gotta keep your hands up,” Max shouts, but I’m still searching for Anika when I spot her across the room in tight ass shorts and a matching sports bra.
“Ahhhh. I see what’s got your attention.” Max slings his sweaty arm around my shoulder and I shrug him off. “Don’t even bother, brother. I know that ass and those eyes draw you in, but she’s as cold as fuckin’ ice. Packs a punch that’ll send you sailing to your ass too.”
“Watch that mouth, Max. That’s my girl you’re talking about.”
His laugh echoes off the walls. “Your girl? Since when does Carter Linwood have a, as in one, girl?”
“Since her.” I nod my head towards Anika who is partnered up with some scary looking woman doing only god knows what kind of martial arts.
“You’re fuckin’ burnt toast man. That one there will chew you up and spit your ass out.”
“I didn’t know she could do that.” I still stare, unable to peel my eyes from her. She glances over, shooting me a wink as if she knew I was watching the whole time and blocks a hit without even looking at her partner. There’s no way that is a self-defense class. She’s working on mixed martial arts, and she’s clearly quite skilled at it.
“Best I’ve seen. Hell, even I’m scared of her.” He punches me roughly on the shoulder. “Now do you wanna be a pussy and talk about your feelings or are you gonna show your girl whatcha got?”
My response is to nail him with a right hook, and the bastard just laughs like a lunatic. “There ya go!”
I feel like there are so many parts to Anika that I don’t know, and so many parts she hides. It should worry me, and if I were to be honest with myself, it does. I’m learning very quickly to never underestimate this woman.