INTRUSIVE

CHAPTER 3

Ember sat in Rylan's office. She'd been waiting for him for nearly half an hour, but that didn't bother her. Opening that email from last night was still fresh in her mind.

It had been from an old colleague. He had once been a friend, but that time was long past. He had been the one that had taught Ember everything she knew when she first started hacking. But she'd quickly surpassed his skill and no longer needed him, and his jealously had gotten the best of him.

Michael. She hadn't seen him for years. Hadn't heard from him in years. He'd effectively dropped off the face of the map, and Ember was thankful for that.

Especially after what he had threatened her with all of those years ago.

And now, he was making good on those promises.

When they were younger, she'd helped him hack into a couple of different databases and extract some information. Nothing harmful, of course – but it had been illegal, nonetheless. She'd been young, stupid, and wanted to prove herself. Wanted to be accepted into Michael's group of "elite" hackers. She hadn't been thinking when she'd done it.

Of course, that wasn't the end of the story. Michael had sold the information for an easy hundred bucks. She hadn't been involved in that part of it and hadn't seen a dime, but it wouldn't matter.

It could ruin her career. Her signature was all over that data. Those willing to hire her wouldn't be able to look past what she had done. After all, who would hire a hacker who they didn't know they could trust? Who might sell their information to the highest bidder?

The sound of a door opening brought her out of her thoughts. Rylan strode into the room like he owned the place, as cocky as ever. Just being around him was enough to make her want to scream. She ground her teeth.

"You're late," she said through a clinched jaw.

Rylan grinned and ignored her comment. He sat down and said, "I knew you would come around, after all."

Ember wanted to ask him how he knew, but he answered for her by saying, "It's just the kind of person you are, Ember. I don't think you've ever backed down from a challenge before. I like that."

"This is a challenge?" she asked. How can it be a challenge? I have no idea what I'll be doing here.

"Swallowing your pride and working with me is," he said, and laughed lightly. Rylan opened up one of the desk drawers and pulled out a manila folder, set it on the desk, and flipped it open. He began reading, "Ember Manchester, 26. Didn't attend college. I mean, why would you need to? What more could they possibly teach you?"

Ember sighed. There was no point in Rylan reading this stuff. It was all public knowledge.

But he continued, "Started hacking at age 18. Worked for Michael Allston. I take it things didn't end well between you two?"

Ember bristled at that. How does he know that? No one knows that!

He glanced over the top of the folder. "Looks like I've touched a nerve."

She just glared.

"You worked with him for a couple of years, then split off and started your own business. Testing the security of small businesses. You only did that for a few months before moving to the private sector, then you started taking on government jobs. They say there isn't a system you can't hack."

"How did you know that?"

"I've followed your government records – "

"No," Ember interrupted him. "How did you know that I worked with Michael? No one knows that."

"I have my sources," he said, that smug look coming back to his face. Ember wanted to wipe it off of his beautiful face. If he keeps it up, I just might...

"Tell me, or I walk out this door right now."

"The hacker world is small," he explained, setting the file down. "And, unfortunately, I've had the pleasure of meeting Michael Allston in person. He mentioned you, once or twice. He's unfortunate to be around, I'll say that much."

"You can say that again," Ember muttered under her breath. She hadn't meant for Rylan to hear it, but he raised an eyebrow in question. Ember didn't elaborate further.

"Well, let's get down to what you'll be helping me with," Rylan said. There was something in his voice and a glint in his eye. What is he playing at?

*

What do you want? Ember typed.

What do you think? The email read.

Ember hesitated, but typed, I don't know. I don't want any trouble.

HAHAHA.

Ember didn't respond to that. What could she say? What was there to say to Michael? What was his endgame? Why was he blackmailing her?

Another email popped up: You've sure been busy these past few years, Em.

Ember clenched her fists. She had hated when Michael called her Em. Now, after all of these years, it was even worse.

Was it because she'd been successful? That she had graduated from Michael's teachings, and made herself a lot of money and prestige doing so? That she was desired, while he was unheard of? She hadn't heard of him since she'd walked away; it was possible he was making a nice life for himself on the black market, but not likely.

Was it because she'd turned down his advances? Just thinking about how many times he'd told her she was beautiful, that she deserved someone who would love her and take care of her, that he was perfect for her made her shiver in disgust.

Or was it just because he was a spiteful man that could only gain pleasure from hurting others?

Ember thought it might be a little bit of all three.

Ember had to be careful here. If Michael had the dirt on her, then the worst thing she could do was implicate herself even further through emails. She typed: Meet at the coffee shop on the corner of 1st and Amethyst tomorrow at 9.