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I nod and raise ot?”

“Why, hello there, Alex,” she says, voice annoyed “Thank you for working so hard when I’ parties with my hot new lover”

“Alex,” I mutter, not in any mood for our usual playful banter

“Fine You’re no fun” She pauses, and through the phone line I can hear her fingers clicking against the keyboard “Well, it’s tio ers on a keyboard, faster now Then, “I’ve just sent the location of the target to your cellphone The team is already en route”

Hadley’s eyes begin to widen, as I ask, “You’ve found him?”

“Of course I did,” Alex states

“You are honestly the best, Alex Job well done” I can’t look away fro happiness, relief, concern all there in her expression A little bit of the unknown, too And maybe there’s even worry for ht I have to face down that hacker, whoelse?”

“There’s nothing special about this hacker He must be new My inner circle hasn’t heard of him”

Which tellsinvolved in an adult game he shouldn’t be in

“That’s it Be safe,” Alex says before the phone line goes dead

I shoveup a couple notches The adrenaline that always coh ently but urgently toward the curb

“Okay Wait She found hi now to keep up with my brisk walk “Where is he? Who is he?”

I stop at the curb, sticka cab One spots me and does a U-turn fro to us All of which I appreciate I open the door for her “Get in I’ll call you when this is all over” Then I reach intoit to the driver through the open passenger-side

“Ryder,” Hadley says sternly, holding her ground, not getting into the car

I gently nudge her toward the back seat, but she pushes againston to both shoulders I drop o and take care of this You don’t need to be there Please go hoht after Promise”