Chapter 127
Sutton had barely taken three steps into the development room when someone let out a long, theatrical whistle.
Then there was clapping. Not sarcastic slow clapping, but actual clapping. A solid round of applause. Everyone was watching her.
Sutton paused in the doorway, blinking at the strange yet enthusiastic reception. “Did I win an award I don’t know about? Is someone behind me holding a pizza box? What’s going on?”
“Way to go, Warner!” Kevin called out, grinning. The same Kevin who’d grilled her on isolation protocols just days ago. “Head of cybersecurity!” Tyler added, giving her an approving nod. “It’s about damn time this place recognized actual talent.”
Great, Extra great. Sutton blinked, taken aback by the unexpected show of support. She’d anticipated jealousy, resentment, or at the very least, suspicion about how she’d landed the promotion. “Thanks,” she managed, attempting to smile through her bewilderment. “But I, uh… haven’t officially accepted yet.”
Sutton’s eyes scanned the faces around the room. There were about ten people there, and not one looked irritated. Or threatened. There were no side- eyes, no tight jaws, no passive–aggressive mouse clicks.
Elliott raised a can of soda. “Congrats, Sutton. You deserve it.”
“You’d be crazy not to,” Drew said, approaching with a cup of coffee that he handed to her. “The way you handled that virus attack was impressive. I couldn’t have tracked the source like that.”
She smiled, a little stunned at the lack of bitterness in the air. “Thanks,” she said softly. “Really. That… means a lot.”
Jake appeared at her side, leaning in to whisper, “See? Told you they’d come around once they saw what you could do.”
“I didn’t expect it to be quite so… enthusiastic,” she murmured back.
Jake grinned. “Nothing earns a coder’s respect faster than elite hacking skills. You basically achieved legend status.”
Sutton blinked a few times and cleared her throat. “Don’t make me emotional before lunch. I forgot to wear waterproof mascara.”
“Lunch is emotional when you’re this pregnant,” Jake replied, tongue in cheek.
She turned away, grinning. “You’re a menace,” she said with a smirk.
Jake grinned at her. “Well, I have work to do.” He air kissed her before he left the floor.
As she sat down at her workstation, she tapped open a secure diagnostics window, running a series of sweeps through the backend system, thorouh traces to ensure Miles or Nicole hadn’t tampered with anything she hadn’t known about.
No glitches. No unauthorized logins. Everything was stable.
She exhaled. Finally. One normal day.
Around 3:27 PM, Sutton leaned back and stretched. Her lower back ached, and her ankles felt like she’d walked ten miles uphill carrying a watermelon. She rubbed her belly and glanced at the clock again. She should head out in a little while.
She picked up her phone and sent luca a quick text.
Sutton: Done for today. Systems are clean and calm. I’m heading home, though. Legs are toast.
The reply came fast. As in barely a ten–second delay fast.
Luca: I’ll take you. And pick you up tonight for dinner.
C
Chapter 127
Sutton stared at the screen. She was too tired to roll her eyes. Instead, she angled a slow sigh toward the ceiling
Sutton: No, it’ll just make people talk. Especially now that you’ve offered me a new role.
Luca: So… you’re taking the job?
That made her hesitate.
Sutton: 1 don’t know yet. But just in case I do… I don’t need the office talking.
Luca: Then you’ll take the car I’ve arranged for you. It’s waiting outside.
Sutton stared at the screen, eyebrows lifting.
Sutton: When did you do that?! I told you I’d think about it.
Luca: I’m still waiting for you to think about a lot of things.
Sutton: You didn’t even know if I’d take the job!
Luca: I’m waiting for you to think about a lot of things. I didn’t think I would get an answer for that one, so I made up your mind for you.
Sutton: Luca…
Luca: It’s for my peace of mind, Sutton.
Sutton paused, fingers hovering above her screen. She sighed, knowing this was one battle she probably wouldn’t win.
Sutton: Fine. I’ll leave in twenty minutes. Give me time to tie up a few loose ends and pack my gear.
He sent a thumbs–up emoji followed by a second text.
Luca: I have news about Miles.
That sent lightning straight down her spine.
Sutton: What kind of news?
Luca: I’ll tell you when I pick you up.
Her fingers hovered again.
Sutton: I’m going with Keira. We’ll meet you at Blair and Roman’s.
tuca:🙁
The sad face made her laugh out loud, drawing curious glances from nearby developers.
Sutton: I’ll spend the drive calming her down, okay? She’s still convinced she needs to threaten you with a meat cleaver before letting you hold your own child, let alone hold my hand.
Luca: Can’t wait.
Sutton: At least we’ll save the cost of entertainment.
Luca: You sure I don’t need to wear a protective codpiece? Or Kevlar underwear?
Sutton: You could just wear your guilt. I heard it makes a great shield.
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Chapter 127
Luca: Tonight, I tell you what I found out about Miles. I can tell everyone together.
She didn’t respond to that.
Sutton turned back to her computer to finish documenting her work. As she typed, she found herself smiling.
Exactly twenty minutes later, she shut down her computer and gathered her things. As she stepped outside, a sleek town car was waiting for her outside, the driver standing at attention beside the rear door. “Ms. Warner?” he inquired politely, opening the door for her.
“That’s me,” she confirmed. She got inside.
As the car pulled away from the curb, Sutton messaged Keira to let her know she was on her way home, then closed her eyes for a moment, finally letting the fatigue of the past twenty–four hours catch up with her. She hoped it wouldn’t be a late night.
The dinner tonight would be interesting, to say the least. Blair and Roman, newly returned from their honeymoon. Keira, with her razor sharp tonque and protective instincts. And Luca, trying to navigate this complex family dynamic while also dealing with everything else that had happened. Plus, apparently, news about Miles. That was concerning. Had he escaped? Been released? Made a deal with the police? She’d have to wait until tonight to find
out.
She still hadn’t decided about the job offer. It was tempting… very tempting. But she couldn’t help wondering if accepting it would complicate things further with Luca. Work and personal life entangling even more than they already were. And then there was his other proposal, the one she’d been steadfastly ignoring. Marriage. The thought still made her stomach flip nervously.
The car stopped in front of her building. The driver opened her door, helping her out with a respectful hand beneath her elbow. “Mr. De Santis asked me to tell you the car will be available whenever you need it,” he said. “Day or night. Just call this number.” He handed her a business card with a direct line.
“Thank you,” she said, pocketing the card.
Unlocking the door, she stepped inside to find Keira already dressed for dinner, sprawled dramatically across the couch. “Finally!” her sister exclaimed, sitting up. “I need your help in deciding how terrifying to be toward De Santis tonight. On a scale from ‘mildly intimidating‘ to ‘making him fear for his reproductive future,‘ where should I aim?”
Sutton laughed, dropping her bag and kicking off her shoes. “How about ‘civil but watchful“?”
Keira scoffed. “Boring.”
“Keira,” Sutton warned, giving her sister a pointed look. “He’s trying, okay? Really trying.”
Something in her tone must have conveyed more than she intended because Keira’s expression softened, her teasing smile fading to something more
serious.
“You’re falling for him again, aren’t you?”
Sutton sank into the armchair opposite her sister, suddenly too tired to deny it. “I don’t know. Maybe. It’s not something you can turn off or on like a tap.”
“It’s always complicated with men,” Keira said, leaning forward. “But here’s what’s simple: hr you before. Badly. Are you sure you want to risk that
again?”
“No,” Sutton admitted. “But I’m not sure I want to miss out on what could be, either.”
Keira studied her face, then nodded once. “Okay. I’l downgrade from ‘castration threats‘ to ‘meaningful glares with occasional verbal warnings.””
“I appreciate your restraint,” Sutton said dryly.
“Don’t mention it.” Keira stood, stretching. “Now go get ready. Blair will kill us both if we’re late to her first dinner party as Mrs. Kingston.”
Sutton headed to her room, already mentally reviewing her wardrobe options. As she passed the full–length mirror, she caught a glimpse of herself, flushed cheeks, a brightness in her eyes that hadn’t been there in months. She paused, studying her reflection.
Chapter 127
Yes,
she was
definitely falling again. The
question was whether, this
time, Luca
would
O
be there to catch
her.
