Secure Love

Chapter 4

  For once Tom was glad of an emergency within the company. Since it was related to a hacker, he knew the person he needed would be awake and focused right now, which was more than he had hoped for.

Dave usually spent his Friday nights playing video games at home. He hardly ever answered the phone in those situations, but he would never ignore a security alert for the company. That was the only thing he and Tom had in common, and it had bonded them enough that Tom had no issue going to him for this kind of favor. He knew Dave liked a challenge, and tracking down one person based off where they were seated in a ballpark seemed right up his alley.

  Once he knew the threat to the company had been dealt with, Dave having fired them back with a virus, he left Adam to send out emails to the board members, letting them know what happened, and went to the IT department, where he found Dave contentedly finishing up securing all his computers and telling his overnight lackey what to do for the rest of the night.

  “That was great work.” Tom greeted him. “I think that was record time before you kicked him out.”

“Ah, that was nothing. Rob here had it handled for the most part, I just oversaw it.” Dave brushed him off and gave the now grinning Rob a pat on the shoulder.

  “Good job either way. I’m glad I caught you before you head out, though. Can I have a quick word?” Tom gestured to leave so he could speak with Dave in private. Dave quirked an eyebrow but nodded and followed him out. Once he was sure they were alone in the hallway he turned to the man before him and crossed his arms, making Dave think he was in trouble.

  Dave stood just an inch or two shorter than Tom, but he had always stayed on the lanky side and never been able to gain any sort of muscle mass or even bulk up in general, meaning that Tom still intimidated the crap out of him. He’d never seen Tom angry, but he really didn’t want to, so always worked to stay on his good side, as did everyone else.

  “I need a favor, but it’s a little weird, and I don’t want people knowing about it.” Tom looked Dave straight in the eye to show he was serious about the not wanting people to know. Tom had never asked Dave for “favors” before, so he was definitely interested.

  “OK, patient-tech confidentiality, got it.” Dave chuckled nervously.

  “I need you to find someone. A phone number, or social media, or something.”

  “Too easy. What’s the name?” In Dave’s mind he could just pull up a f*******: account.

  “Lisa.” Tom raised an eyebrow. He may want Lisa back as quickly as possible, but he also kind of liked building up the request when Dave immediately assumed it would be as simple as whipping out his phone. Dave, indeed had already pulled up his f*******: account and was ready to type in the name. After typing Lisa, he paused for a moment, clearly waiting for more. When nothing else came he looked back up at the large man.

  “Lisa…” He drew out the last syllable.

  “That’s all I know.” Tom said shortly. And David froze. In his career he had been asked to do many impossible things by people expecting him to be a magical tech genius, but this really topped it all.

  “You have to know that’s not enough…” Dave said carefully causing Tom to chuckle.

  “How about if I know her dads’ season seats at Minute Maid park?”

  Dave let out a audible sigh of relief then took a second. He had never tried to find someone based off seats in a park. IP addresses or network connections, yes, but seats no. This wouldn’t be much of a challenge, but it would be interesting, and one for his scrap book.

  “Yeah…yeah, I think I can do that.” He said after a moments pause. Tom smiled wide and gave him the seat numbers. Dave thought he had never seen a grown man so happy before and decided for his own sake he’d get started on this immediately.

  “So you just want her online profile? What’s up with her?” Dave decided to pry a little. This was an interesting request, and Tom was certainly an interesting person since he rarely let people close enough to get to know him.

  Tom paused, unsure if he should tell, but he was too excited about Dave being able to fulfill his request. “I met her at the game last night, and I want to see her again” He finally decided to say.

  Dave visibly gawked. “You met her one time and now asking me to cyberstalk her? Are you sure about this Tom, it seems a bit weird? Why not go to a bar and find someone who looks like her, if she’s that attractive? This doesn’t seem like you, though…” Dave trailed off when Tom crossed his arms again and let out a huff. He realized he had just said way too much and had probably crossed a line he had worked very hard not to cross for the five years he’d known Tom.

  “You’ve already said you can do it, so get it done. I want to know about her, I’ll even pay you extra if you can get it done by Monday.” Tom really wanted this information next day, but decided to be lenient on Dave since he had been roped into going to a gala Saturday night anyway. When he got back to Lisa he wanted to spend a full day with her.

  Dave swallowed nervously and nodded. Tom nodded back at him and abruptly turned to walk away. Something about the way Tom was acting seemed off, but Dave couldn’t quite place his finger on it. He seemed almost desperate to get this done. He realized that he might not have a choice but to have some information by Monday.

  As the two departed they didn’t notice the head of the company standing just on the other side of a corner. He had been there for most of the conversation and had heard enough to make him very concerned. He knew he had to act quick…or he had to have someone else act quick, so quickly pulled out his phone and called his daughter.

  “Daddy? It’s so late…” Angela had just finished her nightly beauty routine. It took forty-five minutes, but in the end it was worth it.

  “I know, Angel, but this is important…How are you and Tom getting along lately?” Adam asked.

  “As well as ever. A simple smile from me has the big oaf melting.” She giggled. Although his uncle seemed to see right through her, she knew Tom simply adored her, and that was all she needed.

  “You need to double down on that oaf. He apparently met someone at the game, and is taking steps to find her. He’s never done that before.” Adam tried to put some urgency in his voice.

  “Oh yes, a tiny, plain, little person. Didn’t look like much of a threat. They kissed but she ran as soon as she saw me. She won’t be coming around, too much of a coward.” Angela actually laughed. She had never thought she would need to scare anyone off Tom. After all, the man never smiled, worked impossible hours (that was Adam’s idea), had almost no personality as far as Angela was concerned, and while some women might be attracted to his size, she would never describe him as handsome.

  “Well, he’s looking for her now, so just make sure. You know what will happen if he finds someone else. You should have sealed the deal with him years ago, so we wouldn’t have to worry about this kind of thing.”

  Angela rolled her eyes, though her father could not see. Of course she knew what was at stake, he had only told her a thousand times. Adam Rile was the head of one of the largest companies in North America, and, of course, had the biggest shareholding in the company. Since Tom’s father had helped found the company he’d had the second largest number of shares, which he left to his son once he died. Once Adam died his shares would be divvied up amongst everyone on the board, but Tom would effectively inherit the company, with the most shares. This was the worst case scenario for Adam, knowing his daughter would only be left a fraction of his company…unless she married Tom.

  “I’ve already told you, I want to spend as little time with that i***t as possible. Marrying him young would mean the end of a life I can actually enjoy. Even being around him now sometimes drives me through the walls. I couldn’t even enjoy the game today because you told me to include him as much as possible, even though he is so boring! And his uncle is an insolent geezer. Why in the world did we have to bring him?” Angela scoffed.

  “I agree, but you have to stay on his good side. He and Tom are close, and if Larry really pushed it, I don’t think Tom would ever agree to have you.”

  “Ugh, don’t say it like that. Just the thought of those meaty mitts on me makes me gag.” Angela shuddered. “Or that damn beard…and omg I just bet he has chest hair too. Ugh, how are there still men like that? Disgusting creature.” Angela made a gagging sound as Adam rolled his eyes.

  “I don’t care, this is what’s best for you Angel. Get him to shave once your married. You’ve waited to long. If you don’t start taking this seriously I’ll think you don’t seriously want to inherit anything.” Adam had had enough of his daughter blowing off his threats. Couldn’t she see he was trying to make moves for her? He hung up with a scowl and walked back to his office.

  Angela threw her phone on the bed with a groan. He may be her father, but he was an insufferable man. She took a moment to calm down before grabbing the phone and continuing her nightly routine. Those men really thought they ruled the world just because they had all the money, but she would make sure she came out on top in the end. She grinned happily as she settled into her bed. Soon she would be ready to make her move, and she wouldn’t have to deal with any of those annoying men anymore. Her only concern was how many black dresses she’d need to buy by the time she was finished.