I can’t help it. A small smile spreads across my face.

  Me – You don’t think you can be hacked?

  Logan Carpino – I know I can’t be hacked. Good luck with online dating, life, and all your future endeavors.

  Now, my smile might as well break my face in two.

  Me – Hmm. Say less.

  Logan Carpino – What the hell does that mean?

  I put my phone on silent and bring up the website for Andopolis Global. I have plenty of time to finish the assessment and write my report for my client. Right now, I want to have some fun.

  It might be my poor luck with dating apps. Or the fact my last encounter ended with a fictional villain turning into a peeping Tom. Or the fact my dad had to step in and take care of that for me, and there’s nothing I hate more than that.

  I’m an adult with my very own fixer upper. There’s nothing I want more than to be a mature, grown-ass woman who can take care of shit herself.

  You’d think striving to be mature would be enough to stop me in my tracks. But I can’t step away from a dare. Call it the little sister syndrome I’ve never been able to shake. I always want to keep up with my older, yet thoroughly irritating, brothers.

  Plus, I know how to cover my tracks. And with what I’m about to do, I’m going to need to implement all my skills.

  I might not have been the one to swipe Logan Carpino’s profile, but he’s the one who didn’t like what he saw and started making shit up to get out of an awkward meet.

  My fingers fly. Mr. VP with a capital P can go screw himself.

  Chapter 4

  Logan

  Logan with a Lowercase p

  I’m about to wrap up for the day.

  Today was good.

  I think we’re at a turning point where those who used to be in middle management, but are now going to be trusted with running the company after we sell it, don’t hate me as much as they did when I first stepped foot into their country.

  And I haven’t found any other buried apps on my phone with shitty profiles.

  I’m calling it a win-win for the day.

  Last night after I got home, I took the time to study my profile on Force of Nature—the one that resulted from Grant and Link drinking too much. I’m surprised I didn’t throw my phone through the glass doors of my penthouse apartment when I saw it.

  Not that any of it was a lie.

  But what the fuck?

  And Demetria Benjamin, the IT specialist from Winter Falls, actually swiped on it. Is she insane?

  She must be. No self-respecting woman with half a brain would want anything to do with the man they made me look like.

  Although, it really is me. Just not the me I’d ever advertise, let alone try to sell on a dating app.

  If I ever used a dating app, which I haven’t.

  Crazy as she must be, Demetria was definitely a woman I’d look at twice if we passed on a city street. Long, dark hair, and athletic since her profile shows her favorite things to do are hike and shred the slopes on a snowboard.

  Still, I don’t have time for anyone. I travel over seventy percent of the time. Not to mention, I live in Manhattan and she lives on a mountain in the middle of nowhere. We couldn’t be more different. Though, the woman must be into assholes, because that is exactly what my profile screams.

  I checked every file and folder on my phone to make sure Grant and Link didn’t do anything else while they made a trip back to middle school. Rugby must have distracted them, because, thank fuck, there was nothing else.

  But I haven’t deleted the damn app—yet. I almost did, but when it came down to it, something stopped me.

  I’ll do it tonight. I don’t need anyone else swiping on my shit profile, even if it is the truth.

  I’m about to shut my laptop and pack it away for the night, but something catches my eye. Or someone.

  Lina.

  She’s running.

  Or, trying to in her low heels.

  And a look of panic is painted on her face as she rushes to my office.

  I stand as she bursts through my office door. “What’s wrong?”

  “I… Logan—” she starts, but stutters, which isn’t like her at all. Lina has no problem saying exactly what’s on her mind. “I don’t know how to tell you this. Something has happened. Something that you’re not going to be happy about.”

  I frown and brace. “What is it?”

  She bites her lip and glances down at her phone before looking back at me. “I’m sure you got it too. It’s a global email. It went to the entire company. Worldwide. And…”

  I pick up my phone and open my email. “And?”

  As my email downloads, her tone trails off. “And to most of our clients and acquisition holdings.”

  Her words barely have a chance to sink in when I see it. The subject line is telling enough. I sit my ass in my chair, and my stomach turns when I open the damn thing.

  From: ;-)

  To: Andopolis Global

  Subject: Logan Carpino: A lowercase p

  Logan Carpino is a failure when it comes to all things women. Also, he didn’t think it was possible to be hacked.

  He was wrong.

  “What the fuck,” I mutter and read it again. And again. And again.

  “Um, corporate says we’ve been hacked.”

  I turn my glare on Lina. “You think?”

  “They, ah, want to know what you might know about this?” Her lips press into a fine line. “Since you’re the subject.”

  “I don’t know anything about this,” I growl and look back at the email that has gone out to thousands of people. “And I’m not a failure when it comes to women, dammit!”

  Her expression falls, and she takes a step back. “Oh … Okay. I can relay that to the team if you’d like.”

  “No. I’ll take care of it.” I squeeze my eyes shut and pinch the bridge of my nose. “I need to make some calls.”

  “Of course.” She turns to the door before looking back. “Do you need anything before I go? We have tickets to the Opera, but I can cancel if you need me.”

  I shake my head and wave her off. “I can take care of it. Sorry … about biting your head off. And everything else. Enjoy your night.”

  “Really, I can stay—”

  I shake my head. “No. Go. Someone obviously got into our system to get back at me for … whatever reason.”

  Lina could be something between my mother and a much older sister. She doesn’t take shit from anyone, least of all me, and feels way too comfortable saying whatever she wants. “You know, if you’re having problems in the dating department, I’d be happy to help.”

  I narrow my eyes. “I’m good, but thanks.”

  “My niece is single. You might like her—she works at a bakery.”

  “I don’t need help in that department.”

  “My best friend back in New York has a son who’s single if you prefer—”

  “Really, Lina,” I interrupt. “I don’t need any help in any part of my life.”

  She hikes a brow. “The global email states otherwise.”

  I cannot believe this shit. “Go. I have to call my boss and I’m sure cybersecurity is going to want another meeting with me. They should all be getting to work on the other side of the world soon.”

  She’s almost out the door when she turns to look at me one last time before leaving me to clean up the dumpster fire Grant and Link created. “Seriously, my niece is pretty—”

  “Leave, or I’ll rip up your Opera tickets.”

  “Good luck, Logan.”

  I look back to the damn email and dread the string of phone calls I’m about to make. I’m going to need more than luck.

  Just when I’m about to bring up his contact, a notification pops up on my phone.

  A fucking notification. Only the second one I’ve ever received.

  But this time it’s not the dating app, it’s a text from an email address that’s longer than I’ve ever seen.

  Unknown – So, it seems your company and your cell can be hacked. Granted, it took me longer than normal.

  Who in the hell is this woman?

  Me – Who are you?

  Unknown – No one you’d be interested in. We’ve already been over that.

  Me – That wasn’t what I meant, and you know it. That’s beyond the point right now. What you did is illegal. You’ll be in a shitload of trouble when my company files charges. I know who you are.

  Unknown – They won’t be able to trace it back to me because I’m that good. And I got into your phone. You’re one weird dude. Who turns off all notifications? No worries, I rectified that.

  Hell. This woman has access to … everything.

  Unknown – Check your email again.

  I don’t even have a chance to flip screens. A notification to said email pops up, and ironically, it’s from me—my own fucking email address. I click on it, and pray she hasn’t booby trapped my cell to remote detonate in my face.

  There’s an attachment, but I don’t open it.

  Unknown – Go on. Open the email. It’s safe, I promise.

  I look around my office. I feel violated. Like I’m in a Bourne movie and someone is watching me from across the Harbour.

  I’m too curious, and it’s only a phone. If it implodes, I’ll buy a new one.

  I click on the file.

  It’s a report.

  A cybersecurity report.

  I lean back in my chair and flip through the document. It’s over one hundred pages. At the end, there are recommendations on how Andopolis Global can secure its servers and networks.

  Another text notification pops up.

  How does the world live like this? So fucking intrusive, but I guess not everyone has a Lina.

  Unknown – I don’t break into systems without fixing them. And no matter how high in the sky you live, I charge a lot for my services. Your company just got for free what I normally charge upwards of five figures for, simply because you’re an asshole, and I wanted to prove your system could be hacked. You’re welcome. Take that to your boss. It’ll make up for the company-wide email. But that was fun.

  Me – Wait. Demetria, right? Is that your real name?

  Unknown – I guess you’ll never know.

  Me - This is nuts. How do I get hold of you?

  Unknown – Dude.

  Me – I haven’t been on a skateboard in years—don’t call me dude.

  Unknown – Maybe you shouldn’t take yourself so seriously and get back on a skateboard.

  Me – I can’t believe you hacked into my company.

  Unknown – Of course you can’t.

  Me – And my phone.

  Unknown – Gotta go, Logan with a lowercase p. I have work to do—real work for actual paying customers since I stayed up all night digging through your files. Also, you don’t have an emergency contact listed with your company. My dad would frown upon that. Nice bonus package by the way.

  What I want to tell her is I have a different package that’s bigger and better, but that might be a poor first impression.

  Or, worse. If that’s possible.

  Unknown – Have a nice life.

  Me – Wait.

  Unknown – Bye-bye.

  Me – Demetria.

  Me – Wait.

  Me – Give me your number.

  Me – Demetria!

  Me – Call me. You obviously know how to get hold of me.

  I toss the damn cell to the desk and lean back to stare at the ceiling. The woman just tore through my life like a tornado.

  There’s nothing I should be curious about.

  I should be pissed.

  I should file charges.

  I always can, but there’s no hurry. The evidence isn’t going anywhere. Hell, I have it on my email and text thread. She admitted to hacking into my company and my personal phone.

  It’s still too early in the States to call my boss. While I wait, I pull up the damn dating app again.

  Now I want to know everything about the woman who tried to humiliate me in front of my entire company and all of our clients.

  Joke’s on her. She caught my eye. Little does she know, I live my personal life like I do my professional one. When I want something, I’m relentless.

  Persistent.

  Some even call me ruthless.

  Mediocre doesn’t get you to where I am in life.

  Demetria Benjamin…

  You have my attention.

  Chapter 5

  Demi

  Perfect Storm

  I guzzle another cup of coffee as I pay the price for my quick temper.

  Hacking into a corporation like Andopolis Global without an official contract and full permission was stupid. In this case, my stupidity is so monumental, I could win a Darwin award.

  But the Perfect Italian pissed me off.

  I don’t like people telling me I can’t do things. Working in a male-dominated industry, I get it way too much. I have to give it to him, his company’s networks are set up well, but that doesn’t make them ironclad.

  On the other hand, sliding into his cell was so easy, it might as well have been lubricated.

  A banging comes from my front door, and Posey is peeking in through the glass squares. I trudge to the door, still in the pajamas I put on two days ago. Deadlines and unplanned hacking attempts really put a damper on daily showers.

  When I open the door, cool air hits me, and so does her concern. “You look like shit.”

  “Thanks. I’ve been busy.”

  She makes herself at home, and I shut the door behind her. I watch her go straight to my kitchen and pour herself a cup of my afternoon pot of coffee. I’m pretty sure I need it more than she does at the moment. She’s showered with a full face of makeup, and her hair is perfect. She’s ready to take on the world.

  I’m jealous.

  She puts the mug to her lips. “We need to talk about what happened at the bar the other night.”

  I flop down on my sofa. “Yes. Let’s talk about that. The guy you swiped on Force of Nature is real. A legit, real-life asshole. And I do not need another asshole in my life right now. I just got rid of the last one.”

  She sets her mug on the counter with a thunk. “Wait. That was a real profile?”

  I shrug. “He said it was a mistake. But what he really meant was he wasn’t into me, so he blamed someone else for posting his profile up without his knowledge. He’s as transparent as my drafty windows. I asked if he’d been hacked and he said he couldn’t be hacked—”

  Posey interrupts me. “You didn’t.”

  “You know I did.”

  A small smile creeps over her pretty face. “And?”

  “And I proved him wrong. Personally and professionally. But it took me way too long, and I lost sleep doing it. That’s why I look like shit.”

  “You’re too smart for your own good.”

  “Whatever. It’s done, and I can move on. And you will never, ever touch my phone again. I blame this on you.”

  She ignores that. “What’s he like?”

  “He’s a jerk who I’ll never talk to again. Now, what did you come here to tell me about the other night at the bar?”

  Another rap at my door interrupts us. Since Posey has actually slept in the last forty-eight hours, I don’t move when she goes to answer it.

  “I have a delivery for,” the guy looks down at his tablet, “Demetria-you-got-me-good-Benjamin?”

  I hop up so fast, I get a head rush. “Who is it from?”

  “Says it’s from Capital P.” He looks up and shoves the enormous box at us. “Have a good day.”

  “Wait,” I call for him. “Let me get you a tip.”

  “No need. Tip was paid by the sender. Enjoy!”

  Posey shuts the door, and I lug the box to the middle of the room. We stare at it as if it’s a ticking time bomb.

  I don’t look away from the mysterious delivery. I’m nervous. All I can think about is Sam. “I shouldn’t have hacked this guy or his company. I have a feeling he’s got resources far and wide. I mean, if he meets his goals, his bonus package is more money than I’ve made. Like, ever in my life.”

  “For real?”

  I look over at her. “For real. The guy isn’t just an ass, he’s a loaded one. You really know how to pick ‘em.”

  Her teeth sink into her bottom lip, and she finally shows a bit of remorse. Not that she hacked the guy. That’s on me.

  “We’re opening it. I can’t wait another second.” Posey grabs a pair of scissors off my desk and rips into the box. But we both freeze once she flips the top open and the contents come into view. “What the—”

  I reach in and dig through the layers. “Holy shit.”

  “He must have studied your profile with a magnifying glass.”

  I hold up a package of red licorice. “I didn’t say I like Twizzlers.”

  “Yes, but wasn’t there a package sitting next to you on the table in one of your pictures? I’m pretty sure I took that one. And let’s be real, you always have licorice laying around.”

  That’s true. I pretty much can’t make it through the day without reaching for my Twizzlers.

  “Wow. Did he buy out Costco?”

  “There’s a note.” Posey pushes my hand out of the way and reaches in. She rips the envelope open and her eyes widen.

  I brace. “Shit. What does it say?”

  Her gaze flits to mine. “Um, I don’t know whether this is hot or disturbing.”

  “Dammit, Posey. What does it say?”

  She doesn’t read it aloud, so I rip the paper out of her hands.

  Then my ass finds the sofa, because I can’t support my own weight, and take in his message:

  Demetria,

  If you’re reading this, that means you’re not the only resourceful one.

  Logan with a capital P

  “I’m sorry.” I glance up at Posey who looks contrite. “I was just having fun. I didn’t mean to attract another stalker. I feel horrible.”

  I shake my head. “Don’t worry. For some reason, I don’t get stalker vibes from this guy. Plus, when I hacked into his phone, it was in Australia. He’s going to have to come a long way to be a stalker.”