Chapter 20

TWENTY

K eir breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, Dr. Patel declared Cat well enough to be discharged. “Remember,” she cautioned as Keir helped Cat into a wheelchair, “plenty of rest, no strenuous activity for at least another week, and follow up with your regular doctor in a few days.”

“I’ll make sure she follows doctor’s orders,” Keir promised, ignoring Cat’s playful eye roll.

As they made their way out of the clinic, flanked by Keir’s security team, Cat leaned her head against Keir’s arm. “I can’t wait to sleep in a real bed again,” she sighed.

Keir chuckled. “I think that can be arranged. But we’re going back to my place, love. It’s more secure, and I want you where I can keep an eye on you.”

Cat started to protest, then seemed to think better of it. “Okay,” she agreed. “But only if you promise to actually get some sleep yourself. Don’t think I haven’t noticed those dark circles under your eyes.”

Warmth bloomed in Keir’s chest. Even injured and exhausted, his mate was still looking out for him. “I promise,” he said softly, bending to brush a kiss across her hair.

Back at Keir’s penthouse, they settled into a routine. Cat worked on her laptop from bed or the couch, putting the finishing touches on the Phoenix Protocol. Keir split his time between caring for her, running his company, and plotting Obsidian Tech’s downfall.

As the days passed and the launch of Guardian AI drew nearer, the atmosphere grew tense with anticipation. Keir could see the excitement and nervousness warring in Cat’s eyes as she ran simulation after simulation of the Phoenix Protocol.

“It’ll work,” he assured her one evening as they sat on the balcony, watching the sun set over Central Park. “You’ve thought of everything.”

Cat bit her lip. “I hope so. But what if Grimes has something up his sleeve we haven’t anticipated?”

Keir pulled her close, careful of her still-healing shoulder. “Then we’ll face it together. You and me, love. We’re unstoppable.”

The morning of the launch dawned bright and clear. Keir woke early, his nerves buzzing with a mix of excitement and apprehension. He slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Cat, and padded to the kitchen to start the coffee.

As he waited for the pot to brew, Keir’s phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was Beck.

“What’s the word?” Keir asked without preamble.

“All quiet so far,” Beck reported. “Security’s in place at the venue, and we’ve got eyes on all of Obsidian’s known operatives. But...”

Keir’s eyes narrowed. “But what?”

Beck sighed. “Grimes is in the wind. No one’s seen him in days.”

A chill ran down Keir’s spine. “Keep looking. He has to surface sometime. And Beck? Be ready for anything today.”

“You got it, boss.”

Keir ended the call just as Cat shuffled into the kitchen, yawning and rubbing her eyes. Despite the gravity of the situation, he couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her in one of his old shirts, her hair adorably mussed from sleep.

“Morning, beautiful,” he murmured, pulling her into a gentle embrace. “Ready for the big day?”

Cat nestled against his chest, her arms wrapping around his waist. “As I’ll ever be,” she said, her voice muffled against his shirt. “You?”

Keir kissed the top of her head. “With you by my side, I’m ready for anything.”

They arrived at the launch venue early, wanting to oversee the final preparations. The grand ballroom of the Sharpe Drakon Games headquarters buzzed with activity as tech crews made last-minute adjustments and security personnel took their positions.

Cat disappeared into the control room with her team while Keir made the rounds, shaking hands and reassuring investors. But his eyes constantly scanned the crowd, alert for any sign of trouble.

As the official start time approached, Keir took his place on the stage. He spotted Cat in the wings, giving him a thumbs up and a nervous smile. His heart swelled with pride and love.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Keir began, his voice carrying easily over the expectant hush. “Thank you all for joining us on this momentous day. The launch of Guardian AI represents not just a leap forward in gaming technology, but a new era of digital security...”

He was halfway through his speech when it happened. The lights flickered, then went out completely. A ripple of confused murmurs swept through the crowd.

Keir’s hand went to the comm unit in his ear. “Beck? What’s going on?”

Static crackled for a moment before Beck’s voice came through, tense and urgent. “We’re under attack, boss. Massive cyber assault on all our systems. It’s Obsidian, has to be.”

Keir’s blood ran cold. This was it – Grimes’s endgame. He scanned the darkened room, searching for Cat. He had to get to her, to make sure she was safe.

But before he could move, the emergency generators kicked in, bathing the room in an eerie red glow. And there, on the massive screen behind him, a familiar face appeared.

Jason Grimes, CEO of Obsidian Tech, smiled coldly out at the stunned crowd. “Greetings, Keir,” he drawled. “Thought you’d seen the last of me, didn’t you? But I’m afraid your little Guardian project is about to go up in flames. Along with your entire company.”

Keir’s hands clenched into fists at his sides, rage boiling through his veins. But he forced himself to remain outwardly calm, knowing every eye in the room was on him.

“Jason,” he said evenly, his voice carrying clearly despite the chaos. “I see you’re still resorting to cheap theatrics. Why don’t you come out and face me like a man instead of hiding behind a screen?”

Grimes’s smirk widened. “Oh, I’m quite comfortable where I am, thank you. Besides, I wouldn’t want to miss the show. Your company’s firewalls are crumbling as we speak. Soon, all your precious data – including the Guardian AI – will be mine.”

A ripple of panic went through the crowd. Keir could hear worried whispers and see investors reaching for their phones. But his focus remained on the screen, on the smug face of his enemy.

“You’re wrong, Jason,” Keir said, allowing a hint of a smile to play at his lips. “You may think you have the upper hand, but you’ve underestimated us. As usual.”

He turned slightly, his eyes finding Cat in the wings. She stood tall, her laptop clutched to her chest, a fierce determination in her eyes. Keir gave her a slight nod.

It was time.

When she disappeared from his sight, Keir turned his focus to the comm unit in his ear. He listened as Cat ran into the control, barking orders. “Status report!” he heard her holler to the team set up and ready to go.

He heard Raj, the lead programmer, reply. “It’s bad, boss. They’ve breached our outer defenses. They’re tearing through our secondary firewalls like tissue paper.”

The sound of clicking keys filled his ear as Cat’s fingers flew over her keyboard. “Not for long,” she muttered. “Initiate Phoenix Protocol. Now.”

On the main floor, Keir watched the giant screen intently. Grimes was still monologuing, gloating about his imminent victory. But Keir barely heard him. His entire being was focused on willing Cat to succeed, sending every ounce of his strength and faith to her through their bond.

Suddenly, the screen flickered. Grimes’s face contorted in confusion. “What the... what’s happening?”

Keir allowed himself a predatory grin. “That, Jason, would be the sound of your plans going up in smoke.”

Phoenix Protocol swept through Sharpe Drakon’s systems like wildfire, identifying and isolating the malicious code, then turning it back on itself.

“It’s working,” she breathed into his ear. “My God, it’s actually working!”

Keir grinned. “I never doubted you for a minute, love.”

Her team cheered as the attack was repelled, Obsidian’s own systems now under siege from their redirected malware.

She heard the devilish smile in his mate’s voice. “Let’s see what other nasty surprises you had in store for us, shall we?”

On the main screen, Grimes’s face had gone from smug to panicked. “No, no, no!” he shouted, frantically typing on something off-screen. “This is impossible!”

Keir stepped forward, his voice ringing out clear and strong. “I warned you, Jason. You should have left well enough alone. Now, not only have you failed to breach our defenses, but I believe you’ll find your own systems have been... compromised.”

As if on cue, documents began flashing across the screen. Financial records, email exchanges, detailed plans for corporate espionage and sabotage – all bearing Obsidian Tech’s logo.

The crowd gasped, phones coming out to capture the damning evidence. Keir could see several people who looked like federal agents pushing their way toward the front of the room.

“This isn’t over, Sharpe!” Grimes snarled, his face contorted with rage. “I’ll?—”

The feed cut off abruptly, replaced by the Sharpe Drakon logo. A moment of stunned silence fell over the room.

Then, thunderous applause erupted.

Keir smiled with relief, the tension of the past weeks finally beginning to ease. He turned toward the control room, his eyes seeking Cat.

She emerged a moment later, flushed with victory, her team trailing behind her like triumphant warriors. Their eyes met across the crowded room, and Keir felt his heart swell with pride and love.

As Cat made her way to him, the crowd parted, whispers of awe following in her wake. Keir held out his hand, drawing her close as soon as she reached him.

“You did it, love,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple. “You saved us all.”

Cat beamed up at him, her eyes shining. “We did it,” she corrected. “Together.”

Keir turned to address the crowd, his arm still wrapped protectively around Cat’s waist. “Ladies and gentlemen, I believe a proper introduction is in order. This is Catrina Reeves, the brilliant mind behind the Phoenix Protocol – and the woman who just saved Sharpe Drakon Games from what could have been a catastrophic attack.”

Another round of applause filled the room. Cat blushed, unused to such attention, but Keir could feel the pride radiating off her.

As the initial excitement began to die down and security started ushering people out of the room, Beck approached, a grim satisfaction on his face.

“We got him, boss,” he reported. “Feds are moving in on Grimes’s location as we speak. Between the evidence Cat uncovered and his very public attempt at corporate sabotage, he’s going away for a long time.”

Keir nodded, a weight lifting from his shoulders. “Good work, Beck. Make sure our legal team is on top of this. I want the book thrown at him.”

As Beck moved off to handle the aftermath, Keir turned back to Cat. She looked exhausted but exhilarated, the adrenaline of their victory still coursing through her.

“What do you say we get out of here?” he suggested softly. “I think we’ve both earned a little peace and quiet.”

Cat nodded gratefully. “That sounds perfect.”

They slipped out a side entrance, avoiding the press that had begun to gather at the news of the dramatic events. In the back of Keir’s private car, Cat leaned against him, her eyes drifting closed.

“I still can’t quite believe it,” she murmured. “We actually did it.”

Keir pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “I never doubted you for a second, love. You’re extraordinary.”

As they drove through the bustling streets of New York, Keir’s mind raced with possibilities. The threat of Obsidian was neutralized and the launch – despite its dramatic interruption – had been a resounding success. And Cat... his brilliant, beautiful mate had proved herself beyond his wildest dreams.

The moment they got back home, Keir followed behind Cat to their bedroom. He pulled her into his arms and gave in to his need for his mate.

He kissed deeply, slowly undressing her. He leaned down and took one of her pebbled nipples into his mouth. His tongue twirled around it before he sucked hard. Cat arched into his touch, moaning and gripping his shoulder with one hand while moving the other down to his cock.

“Keir,” she moaned.

Keir grunted as she reached between them and wrapped her hand around his erection. She moved her hand up and down and smiled when Keir groaned at her touch.

Seconds later, both of them were completely nude and kissing like neither could get enough of the other. Keir knew he was absolutely addicted to Cat. Kissing her was like a dose of adrenaline.

“I can’t get enough of you,” he growled.

“Don’t ever stop,” she moaned, positioning his erection at her entrance.

He sank into her with a powerful thrust. He groaned and held still for a moment.

“Keir, move,” she said breathlessly. She was so beautiful. So hot and tight. Every time they had sex felt like the first time. Keir had a hard time controlling himself.

“You’ve gotten a little bossy, kitty Cat,” he laughed before kissing her.

As he began a slow rhythm, he continued to devour her mouth. Keir’s body burned from the need to have her. Every thrust and every movement made her pussy tighten around him and his control slipped by the second. He loved Cat. Loved her more than he ever thought possible. And he knew he would treasure and protect her with his life.

She held onto his shoulders, whispering to him how much she loved his touch.

Keir reached between them, and as he continued to thrust into her, he parted her folds to roll his thumb across her sensitive nub. Cat clenched her core around his erection, moaning for more. He groaned in her ear, “That’s right, kitten. Come for me,” he chuckled when she gasped. He kissed her deeply as he increased his pace.

Cat tensed. Keir couldn’t get enough of her sighs, her moans and her pussy gripping his cock. He thrust deep and watched her come apart.

Soon, Keir reached his own climax and stilled inside her. Both panted as they came down from their mating. Keir placed his forehead against hers, eyes closed and chest heaving. “Do you know how much I love you?”

“How much?”

“I can’t stop thinking of kissing you. Tasting you. Having you. Every second of the day you run own my thoughts.”

She grinned and curled her arms around his neck, holding him close to her. “Really?”

“I would never lie to you. You’re the most important person in my life, Cat.” He admitted the words wanting her to know just how special and truly priceless she was to him.

“Keir…” she let out a soft breath. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’m not mad about having you.”

He gave a low chuckle and shook his head. “I’m the lucky one, Cat. You’re everything I never knew I needed and wanted in life. You’re perfect.”

She kissed him and smiled. “I love you, Mr. Dragon.”

“I love you too, sweetheart.”

He switched their positions and laid on his back, pulling her into his arms so her head lay on his chest.