Chapter 3
We stood there staring at each other. The same way I was analyzing him, he was analyzing me.
“I have no interest in relationships,” he said, his voice cold and emotionless.
“Neither do I.”
“I don’t care what you do, just don’t fuck around or bring anyone into my home, or you’ll find yourself in a bad place. And for your own good, don’t try to seduce me; my room and office are off limits,” he said in that same tone.
I couldn’t help but laugh, and I could see the shock on his face. “Let me make it clear to you, Mr. Thorne. Seducing you or any other man in the world is not on my list. I have no interest in seeing your room or your office. Now where is my room?”
“Gina?” As he called out, I saw an older-looking woman walk in.
“Take Mrs. Thorne to her room,” he said, walking away.
“Please follow me this way,” the woman said, and I followed her up the stairs. We walked down the hallway, and she stopped in front of the first door on the left.
“Your room, Mrs. Thorne,” she said.
“Thank you.”
I opened the door and walked in; my suitcase was already there. I looked around the room; it was big and spacious, with a large walk-in closet and a spacious bathroom and toilet. I sat down on the bed and let out a breath. I was fucking married to Xander Thorne of the Thorne family. What the hell has my father gotten me into? The Thornes were known for being ruthless, manipulative, dangerous, and evil.
I walked over and locked the door, making sure no one could come in. I opened my suitcase and pulled my laptop out. I started it up and opened the app. I was sure without a doubt that there were cameras around this house.
I began scanning, and I found fifteen cameras. I pulled up the first one, the kitchen. Nothing there. I ran the rest, checking the outside, and then I found the one from his office, and I couldn’t help but smirk. He needed better security. He was sitting with a man. After a few minutes I had access to the camera. So, I sat watching him and listened.
Xander: I don’t care. I need everything.
Man: Yes, Boss.
I saw him typing away on his laptop.
Man: Her name is Zia Ryan, 24 years old.
Xander: Not basic information; dig deeper.
Shit. I grabbed the other laptop and opened it. Once it was on, I logged in and began hiding everything. It was one thing about me that no one knew; not even my family knew. Out of my small room, I started Quantum Cybersecurity Solutions. I was a nerd to others, but I was a genius with a laptop. The only person who knew this was Angie.
I began hiding my information. I only showed them what I wanted them to see. I didn’t need to look at them; I could hear them clearly.
Xander: Why is this taking so long, Paul?
Paul: Sorry, boss.
I heard him say. I knew exactly where he was looking, so using a string of unique codes, I accessed his laptop.
Paul: She’s a normal person.
Xander: What?
Paul: Graduated with honors in business management and had multiple jobs. That’s about it, boss. She does freelance writing at the moment. No arrests past or previous. One bank account, ten thousand dollars. No social media present. She’s basically a normal woman.
I started laughing; I gave them what they were looking for. I wouldn’t put it past Xander Thorne to not check my information. I needed to be cautious with these people.
Paul: That’s it, boss.
Xander: And her digital footprints?
Paul: Well, the minute she walked in, her phone was under my control. It shows her Google search; she had a social media account but not with her name; she just used it to watch the news and videos. Her online search is all over food and music.
Xander: Has she ever looked up our family?
Paul: No, Boss, as a matter of fact, it seems like she was oblivious to the Thorne family.
Xander: That’s good. Look into her family and this loan situation.
Paul: Yes, boss.
I watched as the one named Paul stood up and walked out.
He wasn’t going to find anything I didn’t want him to find. I closed my laptops and pushed them under the bed. I unlocked the door and grabbed a shower. I headed back down the stairs. When I got to the bottom, he was walking around the corner. He stopped and looked at me.
“Kitchen?”
He pointed in the other direction. “Thanks,” I said, heading towards the kitchen. When I walked in, I stopped. Of course it was big. I saw Gina.
“Hello, Mrs. Thorne. What can I do for you?” she asked.
“Oh, I just need some water.”
“Of course,” she said, walking over to the fridge and handing me two bottles of water.
“Thank you.” I took them from her and headed back out. I headed up the stairs just as he walked out of his room.
“I won’t be back tonight,” he said.
“Look, as uncomfortable as this is, understand that I have no interest in you or your family affairs. Where you go and what you do is none of my concern,” I said, opening the door and walking in. I suddenly remembered I would need to visit Angie tomorrow and get started. I walked back out and headed to the stairs. He was almost at the bottom.
‘Xander?”
He stopped and turned around. “Am I allowed to leave here?”
He looked at me with raised eyebrows. I stood looking at him.
“Jason?” he yelled.
“Yes, Boss?” The man answered, walking in.
“You will be her driver and security,” he said, glancing at me and then back at Jason.
“Yes, boss.
Jason looked at me "I dont need to go anywhere at the moment but tommorow."
“Of course, Ma’am,” Jason said, then walked out of the living room. Xander stood there looking at me.
“Good night,” I said and turned and went back to my room. I locked the door and got into bed. I texted Angie.
MESSAGES
ZIA: Tomorrow at 9, Meridian.
ANGIE: Casual or serious?
ZIA: Seriously?
ANGIE: Okay, see you then, boo.
ZIA: Thanks, boo.
I turned my phone off and lay there staring at the ceiling. There were a million questions in my mind: what happened with the loan? Why did they wait so long to tell me? Had they used all fifty million? I stared at the ceiling, hoping sleep would consume me and I could escape this nightmare for a while.
When my eyes opened, my alarm was going off. I grabbed my phone and turned it off. I rolled over and opened my eyes and sat up instantly. Then I remembered where I was and what happened last night. I needed to get this situation under control. I needed to figure out exactly what was happening and how to get out of this situation.