Chapter 10

TEN

C at’s fingers flew across the keyboard, her eyes fixed on the multiple screens before her. The soft glow of the monitors illuminated her face in the dimly lit office, casting shadows that danced across her furrowed brow. It was well past midnight, but she barely noticed the time. The new security measures for Sharpe Drakon Games demanded her full attention, and she intended to deliver nothing short of perfection.

A strand of chestnut hair fell across her face, and she absently tucked it behind her ear, never breaking her concentration. Lines of code scrolled past her eyes as she implemented intricate firewalls and fail-safes. Each keystroke brought the system closer to impenetrability, a digital fortress of her own design.

The quiet hum of the computers and the rhythmic tapping of keys created a soothing symphony that Cat lost herself in. This was her element, where social anxieties and self-doubt faded away, replaced by the certainty of logic and the elegance of well-crafted code.

A sudden vibration from her phone shattered her focus. Cat blinked, momentarily disoriented as she was pulled from her digital trance. She reached for her phone, expecting a message from Keir or perhaps an update from the security team.

Instead, an unknown number flashed on the screen. Curiosity piqued, she opened the message.

The words that greeted her sent a chill down her spine:

“Leave now. You’re a pawn in a game you don’t understand. Stay, and you’ll be a casualty in something you have nothing to do with.”

Cat’s heart began to race, her palms suddenly clammy against the smooth surface of her phone. She read the message again, hoping she’d misunderstood, but the ominous words remained unchanged.

A thousand questions raced through her mind. Who sent this? How did they get her number? Was it a prank or a genuine threat? And if it was real, what game were they talking about? Was it Obsidian trying to get to Keir through her?

She glanced around the empty office, suddenly acutely aware of how alone she was. The shadows in the corners seemed darker, more threatening. Every small noise - the hum of the air conditioning, the distant ping of an elevator - made her jump.

Cat’s finger hovered over Keir’s name in her contacts. Should she call him? It was late, and she didn’t want to seem paranoid over what could be nothing more than a stupid joke. But the knot of fear in her stomach told her this was more than just a prank.

Before she could make a decision, the sound of footsteps approaching made her head snap up. Her heart leaped into her throat, only to settle back down when she saw Keir’s familiar figure rounding the corner.

“Cat? You’re still here?” Keir’s voice was a mixture of surprise and concern. As he drew closer, his expression shifted to one of alarm. “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Cat opened her mouth to speak, but the words caught in her throat. Instead, she held out her phone, the threatening message still displayed on the screen.

Keir’s eyes narrowed as he read, his jaw clenching visibly. When he looked back at Cat, his gaze was intense, a hint of something wild and protective flashing in their depths.

“How long ago did you get this?” he asked, his voice low and controlled.

“Just now,” Cat replied, finding her voice at last. “I don’t know who sent it or what it means.”

Keir’s hand clenched around her phone, and for a moment, Cat thought she saw a flicker of something - scales? - ripple across his skin. But it was gone so quickly, she convinced herself it must have been a trick of the light.

“We’re leaving,” Keir declared, his tone brooking no argument. “Now.”

“But the security upgrades-” Cat began, gesturing to her computer.

“Can wait,” Keir finished firmly. “Your safety is more important. We’ll stop by your place so you can pack a bag, then you’re coming to stay with me until we get to the bottom of this.”

Cat wanted to protest, to insist she could take care of herself. But the memory of the threatening message sent another shiver through her. And if she were honest with herself, the prospect of staying with Keir, of being close to him, wasn’t entirely unwelcome.

“Okay,” she agreed, grabbing her jacket and bag. “Let’s go.”

The ride to her apartment was tense with Keir constantly checking the rearview mirror as if expecting to be followed. Cat’s mind raced, trying to make sense of the threat. Who could be behind it? What did they want?

As they pulled up to her building, Keir turned to her, his expression grave. “Pack enough for a few days. And Cat?” His hand covered hers, warm and reassuring. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.”

The intensity in his eyes made Cat’s breath catch. She nodded, unable to form words past the lump in her throat.

Inside her apartment, Cat moved on autopilot, throwing clothes and necessities into a duffel bag. Her hands shook slightly as she packed, the reality of the situation finally sinking in. Someone out there wanted to hurt her, or at least scare her badly enough to make her leave her job.

As she zipped up her bag, her eyes fell on a framed photo on her nightstand. It was of her and her family at her college graduation, all of them beaming with pride. The sight of their smiling faces grounded her, reminding her of the strength and love that had always supported her.

Taking a deep breath, Cat straightened her shoulders. She wasn’t going to let some cowardly threat drive her away from a job she loved or from the incredible opportunity she’d been given at Sharpe Drakon Games. And she certainly wasn’t going to let it keep her from exploring whatever was developing between her and Keir.

With renewed determination, she grabbed her bag and headed back to where Keir waited. His eyes scanned her face as she approached, concern evident in his gaze.

“Ready?” he asked softly.

Cat nodded. “Ready.”

The drive to Keir’s penthouse was quieter, the initial panic giving way to a sort of numb exhaustion. Cat found herself stealing glances at Keir’s profile, marveling at how quickly he’d gone from being her enigmatic, attractive boss to someone she trusted implicitly with her life.

As they entered his home, the reality of the situation hit Cat anew. She was going to be staying with Keir in his personal space. The thought sent a flutter of nervous excitement through her stomach despite the circumstances that had brought them here.

“Make yourself comfortable,” Keir said, gesturing to the spacious living room. “Are you hungry? I could order us some food.”

The mention of food made Cat realize she hadn’t eaten since lunch. “Actually, yeah, I’m starving,” she admitted.

Keir’s face softened into a smile. “Pizza okay? I know a great place that delivers late.”

“Pizza sounds perfect,” Cat agreed, feeling some of the tension leave her shoulders.

As Keir made the call, Cat took in her surroundings. The penthouse was a perfect blend of modern luxury and cozy comfort. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline while plush furnishings invited relaxation. What caught her eye, though, was the impressive entertainment system dominating one wall.

“Wow,” she breathed, approaching the setup. “This is amazing.”

Keir appeared at her side, a proud grin on his face. “Like it? I’m a bit of a movie buff. How about we watch something while we wait for the food? Might help take your mind off things.”

Cat nodded gratefully. “I want to take a quick shower if you don’t mind, but that sounds great. What do you have in mind?”

Keir turned on his giant flat screen hanging from the ceiling and browsed through his movie collection. “How about ‘Law Abiding Citizen’? It’s a thriller but with some interesting moral questions. Might be a good distraction.”

“Sure,” Cat agreed. Keir showed her to his bedroom and she didn’t bother asking if she was sleeping with him. She knew full well they were sharing a bed. She’d actually worry if they didn’t. She took a shower and put on a pair of anime pajama shorts and a tank top before going back to the living area and settling onto the plush couch. As Keir set up the movie, she couldn’t help but admire the way his muscles moved under his T-shirt. He’d obviously taken a shower at the same time she had but in a different bathroom. Even in the midst of a crisis, her attraction to him refused to be ignored.

The pizza arrived just as the movie started, and they settled in to watch, the warm scent of melted cheese and tomato sauce filling the air. As the plot unfolded, Cat found herself drawn into the story, momentarily forgetting about the threat that had brought her here.

By the time the credits rolled, Cat and Keir were engaged in a heated debate about the film’s central themes.

“I can’t believe you’re siding with the crazy protagonist!” Cat exclaimed, gesturing emphatically with a half-eaten slice of pizza. “What he did was completely unjustifiable.”

Keir leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face. “I’m not saying I agree with his methods, but I understand his motivations. The system failed him, and he took matters into his own hands.”

Cat shook her head vehemently. “But that doesn’t make it right. Hurting innocent people because you were hurt... it just perpetuates a cycle of violence and pain.”

“What if it wasn’t about innocent people?” Keir asked, his voice low and intense. “What if someone threatened someone you loved? Wouldn’t you do anything to protect them?”