Mind Code (Coded Connections Duet Book 2) by Blake Black

Author:Blake Black [Black, Blake]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-11-22T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Amelia

Oliver’s chest rises and falls steadily beneath me.

I glance at the clock and see that it’s only five a.m. Misha and Grey are fast asleep as well, and the screen displays a frozen image from the movie we’d been watching.

Carefully, I extricate myself from Oliver’s embrace, trying not to wake him. His gentle breathing and the warmth of his body make it difficult to pull away, but I manage it with minimal disturbance.

Tiptoeing back to my apartment, my mind is already racing with the day ahead.

When I unpacked my bags, I realized the maids forgot to pack my laptop, and in the haste of our departure, I completely forgot about the sensors.

Oh well.

I’ll erase the data remotely as soon as I get a new device and can log into my cloud.

After a quick shower and change of clothes, I send a text to the guys, letting them know I’ve left early to pick up a new laptop. I need it for work and can’t afford to wait, hoping my stolen one will miraculously reappear on my desk.

With my work.

By the time I make it to work, I’m already half an hour late, but Hendricks’ space is conspicuously empty.

Odd.

Even the framed picture of Willow isn’t sitting on it anymore.

Did he go on a vacation too?

I settle in to tackle the mountain of emails that have accumulated during my absence. Each new message feels like a mini-battle, but I’m determined to conquer them all.

It’s so good to be back working. At one point, I wasn’t sure if I ever would.

Just as I’m getting into my stride, the door swings open, and Dr. Cockwomble saunters in. His presence is like a dark cloud descending over my morning. “Well, well,” he drawls, his usual smug expression firmly in place. “What a surprise to see you back. I was getting worried you might not return.”

I bristle at his tone but keep my voice even. “I was just on vacation, Dr. Langley. I simply changed the dates.”

He perches on the edge of my desk, invading my space as he always does. “Is that so?” he says, reaching out to grasp a lock of my hair between his fingers.

Is he fucking serious?

Something in me snaps. I stand abruptly, crossing my arms over my chest. “My vacation was approved. Is there anything we need to discuss with HR about this?”

Langley seems taken aback by my sudden assertiveness. He stands, too, but I find myself looking down at him, a small thrill of satisfaction running through me as I watch him squirm.

“That won’t be necessary,” he says, but I can clearly see how he’s thrown off balance. “But with Hendricks quitting so suddenly, anything seemed possible.”

My ears prick up at that. “Hendricks quit?” I ask, momentarily forgetting my resolve to stand my ground.

Cockwomble huffs, “Haven’t heard yet? And it’s interesting that the AI Department was absent during the same period you were away, yet they returned this morning. Are you collaborating with them? You know it’s against protocol to work with other departments without the department leader’s permission.

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