Chapter 4

Connor

No, fucking way.

I believe in coincidences. I think that two events can happen without being related to each other, no matter how in sync they might be. But I will not accept that the woman who called the cops on me two weeks ago and left me speechless at her doorstep is the same person Ken handpicked to be my cybersecurity specialist.

Either fate is playing a game it thinks is funny, or she knew that I owned this company and planned this whole charade.

"Well isn't this a bit awkward?" I try to break the ice.

"I didn't think I'd run into you again," she says causally.

"Me neither," I reply tightly. "So, you're the cybersecurity specialist Ken hired."

"And you are the CEO of Everest, one of the largest tech companies in the country. I guess it's true when they say 'never judge a book by its cover'."

I know it's a dig, and it hits home. But I'm not one to go down easily, so I quip pettily—

"Did you sleep well?" I ask. "We make it our duty to hire people who prioritize their beauty sleep. Eight to ten hours is the minimum because we need your brain working at full capacity when you're here."

She bares her teeth.

She literally bares them, and I flinch.

What does she do then?

Fucking laughs. Like the smile on her face, before she shut the door in my face that night, her laugh is unsettling.

I shake it off, folding my arms.

With her big light eyes, pretty face, and a gorgeous mop of deep brown hair tied back, with a few strands that frame her face, it is a pity that the person Ken hired is an undercover psychopath. Gorgeous and dangerous.

"Are you still angry about that night?" She asks when I sit at the head of the table, far away from her. "I'm sure we can separate business from...well," she shrugs, "it isn't pleasure, but you know what I mean."

I have a feeling this woman will never leave the depths of my skin. The only thing I can do if I decide to work with her is to find a way to toy with her.

"Angry?" I cock my head. "Why would I be?"

"For one," she gestures, "you're at that end of the table, and I'm here. Are you afraid to sit to close to me?"

"I will overlook your lack of observation," I say, "because you should have figured out that the chair I am in is for the CEO while there are over fifteen other seats for anyone else," I make emphasis on anyone, "to choose from. You chose to sit at the other end of the table. Maybe it is you who is afraid."

When she opens her mouth, but nothing comes out, I smile thinly.

"An oversight," I give her both an out and a shovel to dig herself deeper.

Seething through her eyes, she picks up her bag and moves closer. But leaves two chairs to my left empty before sitting in the third.

I let it go, placing her file in front of me.

"Let's see how much experience and expertise she has," I mutter under my breath.

My lips part of their own accord when I read through the first page. Then, the second. And the third. Then, finally, the fourth.

Ken wasn't lying when he said she's worked for some of the biggest names out there because her wealth of experience and accomplishments are nothing short of staggering. I have always considered myself a bit of a genius in my field, but Evelyn Lockhart might be a prodigy in hers.

Innovations that still leave people in awe, security hacks that companies have tried to replicate, and more are all credited to her.

"Am I good enough for you, Mr. Everest?" There is a bite in her tone, but I also sense a little pride.

Since I cannot argue and I grudgingly respect the pride that she has for her work, I nod. "Yes. Quite impressive. Welcome to Everest, Miss Lockhart."