Programmer. Right. Hacker was more like it. Her part-time job at the video-game company included programming, but was essentially hacking into the games to see how much code she could dismantle and how imaginatively she could mess with the so-called security measures. Then she would create hidden layered logic routines to keep other hackers out.
So as she stepped in front of the alarm panel she was pretty confident she could easily disarm it. Snapping the plastic cover off the mechanism, she peered at the exposed wires. Rome had obviously rigged the thing himself, given the concealed plate that hid a tiny keyboard and screen and the level of complication. Data streamed across the minute display, as Harper watched the shuffling code sequences for patterns.
There. She found a common string and studied it closely for a few minutes. She was able to identify figures that appeared to represent the broadcasting of the alarm signal without actually disarming the alarm.
Hmm. Close enough. Harper placed her fingers on the Blackberry-sized keyboard and entered a command to disrupt the data flow. Without hesitation, she hit the Enter key. The constant stream came to a slight pause and then flowed again, with an ever-so-minor modification. She doubted that Rome would even be aware of it. Besides, she’d change it back once she returned.
Smiling, she replaced the plastic covering and walked to the sliding door. She grabbed the handle and pulled. No sound. A long breath escaped her lips, one she didn’t even know she was holding.
The autumn sunlight was sluggishly waning, but still coating every surface in its path. She took several deep breaths of crisp air and began to pace around outside the warehouse to the area that faced the dense forest, stretching her muscles as best she could.
Harper rolled up the sleeves of Rome’s sweatshirt a little more and rubbed her bare arms. The sun’s warmth invigorated her, as did the fresh air, sending light pulses of energy through her veins.
Strange. She experienced the same revitalizing sensation as soon as she stepped outside the facility right before she escaped. Harper peered at her arm, running her fingers gently over the tingling skin.
She swept her gaze around the area, looking for something she could practice with. She wanted to try to harness this power. Control it. If she could, revenge would be a lot easier. Quicker.
Shielding her eyes from the sunlight, she squinted to see a bunch of empty milk crates stacked against the wall of the adjacent warehouse to her right. Recalling the image of the warrior in her game, she raised her hand and focused on the crates.
The ice-cold sensation that preceded the scorching heat was now becoming familiar. Even welcome. Fiery power blazed through her blood, filling her mind and surging down along her outstretched arm. A small wave of nearly invisible energy rippled toward the crates, originating from her prickling hand.
Harper kept her gaze locked on the stacks, watching in amazement, and a little satisfaction, as they began to vibrate under her power.
A distant rumbling broke into her focus. Uh-oh. Rome ’s Bug.
Harper quickly dropped her hand and raced around the building to the sliding door she’d left slightly open, shaking off the power swelling inside her body.
Harper was just slipping inside when she saw the Bug come to a halt only feet from her. Peering through the flat windshield, she spied Rome’s striking, narrowed blue eyes staring crossly at her.
She was busted.
Slinking back out, she mustered the most sheepish look she could manage. Maybe there was a way to spin this so he wouldn’t be too upset with her. Then again, he was supersexy when he was angry. Maybe she could get him madder instead.
Rome had barely stepped out of the car before he went on the offensive. “What the hell are you doing out here?”
“I needed some air.” She gave him a half grin. Well, it was the truth.
“How?” He stiffly gestured toward the sliding door with a wave of his hand. His kissable lips were tight with frustration.
“I altered the code.” She held up a placating palm. “Don’t worry. I’ll reset it.”
“Altered the code?” His anger turned to intrigue.
“I told you, I’m a programmer. It’s what I do.”
Rome didn’t really have anything to say to that, but his gorgeous face, bathed in the fading daylight, cracked the most admiring and alluring smile she’d ever seen.
He walked over to her, stopping just inches away. She flushed. She could see every blue swirl in the eddy of his eyes. Smell every spice of his lingering soap. Feel every breath that brushed her face.
“Show me,” Rome whispered as he leaned in. His mouth was so very close to hers. He licked his lips. She wetted her own. Harper almost closed her eyes, just waiting, desperately wanting the touch of those lips against hers once again.
Then she was flat on her back on the ground.
Well, that was fast.
“Somebody’s here.” Rome’s whisper was nearly silent, just a tickling breath away from her ear.
Rome covered her body with his as he frantically searched the area. His intense blue eyes at such close range were a sight to behold. Stay here, he mouthed, rolling off her body easily and moving into a crouch, gun drawn. Wow, she hadn’t known he was even carrying one.
Creeping around the dented front bumper of the Bug, Rome disappeared from her sight. She sat upright and tried to listen for whatever had startled him. And stopped their imminent kiss. Darn it. Her lack of trust in him hadn’t diminished his allure. Double darn it.
After counting to sixty without hearing a sound, Harper decided to check things out herself. Rome should know by now that she was no good at waiting. She used the car for cover and took a quick peek out toward where Rome had vanished. She felt a little strange with all this creeping around, hunkering down like a spy or something.
Another minute went by with no sign of danger. What could he have heard?
Then she saw him walking her way. His shoulders were stiff and he kept looking around as though ghosts swirled around him, prickling every one of his senses.
“They’re gone. We’d better discuss our next move,” he said without preamble. “I’m not sure we have much more time here.”
“Okay.” Harper caught his grave tone and altered her mood. Kicking herself, she realized she had to remember this wasn’t some weekend fling with a hot guy. This was her messed-up life that she needed to right somehow, and he was the only person who could help her. “Did you get the flash drive?”
“Yeah, it’s in the car,” he answered, moving to the driver’s side. He opened the door and popped the hood.
Harper moved to the front of the Bug. Inside was a black duffel bag. She reached in, unzipped the bag, and pulled out a slim laptop. She shoved it under her arm and poked around inside for the small drive. Rome must have brought extra clothes, because she had to fish around for the drive through layers of soft fabric. When she found it, she quickly checked to make sure it was indeed the flash drive she’d asked for.
“Why that?” His close voice made her jump. She hadn’t seen or heard him step beside her.
“C’mon, I’ll show you.” Harper reached to close the hood, then had to slam it a couple times before it latched. She turned around and sat on the concrete with her back resting against the front bumper, then booted up the computer. Rome joined her on the ground with a grunt, their thighs lightly touching.
“We should go inside,” he said as he turned his head, alternately looking at her and their surroundings.
“I need some air,” she countered, shifting the screen slightly to lessen the angling sun’s glare. A password request popped up once the computer finished booting.
“By the way, how did you alter the code and get out without setting off the alarm?” Rome asked, peering at the laptop screen while she typed in a few commands.