Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
“Hello.”
“Sorry to pull you from your bed, dude. But it’s time.”
“He bought it?”
“Hook, line and sinker. He even checked it on the spot to make sure it was the real thing.”
Jasper Jackson chuckled on the other end of the line. “You sure read him right.”
“Yes, it’s the one thing he forgot. His enemy knows him too well. You ready?”
“Just say when.”
I smiled in the dark. “When.”
I listened to Jasper tap a few keys on his end. “Done.”
“How long?”
“Thirty-six to forty-eight hours. That should give him enough time to make his move.”
“If I know him, he’s already loading it onto his company’s platform. This is the system he jerks off to. He thinks it’s going to solve all his problems.”
“Good. He won’t know what hit him.”
“Thanks, Jasper. The balance will be in your account first thing Monday morning.”
“No problem.”
I disconnected the call and sat looking out of the window for a few moments. The world was asleep. I thought I would feel something different, but there was a vague feeling of relief. He was gone from our lives.
“Who were you talking to just now?”
I turned to see Savannah standing in the doorway. I smiled and went to stand in front of her, pulling her into my arms.
“Just a friend about a software issue I’m having.”
“At this time of the morning?”
“No time like the present, babe.” I kissed her softly as my body brushed hers.
She chuckled as she raised her arms to wrap around my neck. “You’re insatiable.”
“Can you blame me? I sat in a prison cell and longed for you for four long years, Savannah.”
“I know. We have so much to make up for, but I don’t want to be the death of you.”
“Bury me at your feet.”
“You’ve become morbid in your old age, but you’ll do.”
She stroked my already hard cock and led me back to bed.
We did not stir until almost the next morning and only rolled out of bed because we were having lunch with Priscilla and Benny.
Lunch was a light-hearted affair. I only half-listened as they discussed their wedding plans. It seemed they were looking at a Christmas wedding. After lunch Priscilla and Savannah went off to the bedroom and Benny and I headed to the garage, where he kept a good bottle of cognac.
He poured us a glass each. The aroma of it filled my nostrils. I raised my glass. “Here’s to married life.”
“To married life,” he echoed, taking a sip. “After fifty-two years, I’m going to have to turn in my bachelor card, but it’s worth it. Priscilla is all I’ve ever wanted in a woman.”
“It’s clear that she feels the same way about you.”
He sat on a battered armchair and looked sideways at me. “Savannah looks at you the way my Pris looks at me, you know.
I smiled. “I know.”
“You should do something about that. Something like what I did.”
“Oh, I intend to do just that, Benny. I have a few more loose ends to tie up, but as soon as those are done, I’ll be joining you by hanging up my bachelor ways.”
“I gotta say, we snagged the two best women out there.”
“I’ll drink to that.”
29
MAX
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydwBQhpFR1Q
-unstoppable-
I went into the office the next morning. It was business as usual. But then about noon, there was a buzz. I could hear loud discussions taking place and shouts of disbelief. Not even five minutes later, there was a frantic knock on my door.
“Come in!” I invited.
“Max!” Nina, one of my software specialists burst into the office. “You’re never going to believe what happened! Have you seen the midday news?”
“No.”
Without hesitation, she put my laptop on my desk and tapped the keys a few times before turning the screen back to me. There was a rebroadcast.
Information coming into the newsroom is that Robert Steinberg’s company is responsible for a breach of client confidentiality. The breach occurred when their latest software malfunctioned, compromising the private information of clients. This compromise has led to some of their clients’ databases being hacked and exposed, resulting in losses which are already in the millions and still climbing. As we speak, the lawsuits are piling up and from all indications Steinberg is in a lot of hot water. More at seven as we continue to track this developing story.
“Hmmm. Interesting.”
“But I don’t understand. Isn’t this the same software system we’re supposed to be working on for release next week?”
“One and the same.”
“But how did he get it?”
“I gave it to him.”
Her eyes popped. “You what!?”
I smiled. “Don’t worry about it, Nina. Worry about this instead: the influx of customers who are going to be beating down our doors to reverse this damage.”
“It’s already started. Sales have already been flooded with calls.”
“Good. Christmas bonuses are looking good this year.”
She smiled and shook her head. “I don’t know what you did, but I’m glad you know how to fight dirty. I wouldn’t want to cross you.”