Chapter 40：Who

I grit my teeth and release multiple tracking programs to help assist Chip and I as we chase this guy. "Maya we have him!" Chip says in excitement but my heart drops at what I see. "Back out now Chip!" I begin cutting the traces and sever the connection as quickly as possible.

"Why did you stop?" Chip asks as I begin locking everything down and checking everything manually. "It was a trap Chip, the person who tried to hack us came prepared. He clearly knew what he was doing... I can't help but feel he may have even been testing us."

"Testing? Why would anyone try to hack us just to test us?" Chip says clearly confused. I frown looking over the data but my frown only grows when I see that the person only touched the program responsible for watering the plants.

No one with those kinds of skills tries hacking a watering system... He clearly knew what he was doing and even had a trap prepared... They were definitely testing the waters. "Chip, listen carefully. If this happens again I want you to block and defend, do not engage unless I tell you to. Understand?"

Chip was quiet for a few minutes before saying "Noted... I won't engage unless I have your permission." I sigh in relief and lean back in my chair nearly hitting Alec. I quickly lean forward looking back at him in confusion.

"What just happened?" Alec says and I find myself hesitating. Should I tell him? I sigh again and say "Someone tried hacking into my systems... He ran when Chip found him and gave chase but I quickly realized that he was leading Chip and I into a trap."

"What bothers me is that the person didn't even try to hack into anything important... it leads me to believe that they were testing the water. Wanting to feel us out..." I say looking back at the computers.

He remains quiet for a bit before saying "I have a hacker friend who can help if you need it?" I smile and walk over to the windows "I appreciate it but Chip and I are more than enough to hold them off. Don't tell me the guy you're talking about is the guy that was working for you the other day..."

I turn to watch him walk over with a perplexed look on his face "And if it is?" I feel myself laugh and shake my head saying "Chip can hack circles around him..." Alec snorts and says "That would probably destroy him if he ever heard you say that. Do me a favor, if you ever meet him, please don't say that to the poor guy."

I nod my head and look out the windows overlooking the city. I think back to the message left with the dead man at the hospital and find myself making connections. Could this be someone related to that? I feel like I have a bigger player swimming around us... and the feeling is unnerving.

I don't like how close they are getting... "What are you thinking about?" Alec's low voice breaks me out of my thoughts and I shake my head, giving him a small smile. "You can take the book... I can't read it anyway. Maybe you can find something to help you while Chip and I continue to search for others."

He frowns at me and moves closer causing me to step back but he's quicker. "Something is bothering you and you're hiding it from me. What is it?" Alec asks grabbing my arm. I fight with conflicting emotions... should I tell him or should I keep him in the dark?

Alec's eyes flash and I see a little of the beast that lurks in them before it's hidden again. "If that's so, you can come stay with me. I will make sure to keep you safe, I give you my word." I blink a few times in surprise before I give him a warm smile "Again, I appreciate it but I am safe here. Thank you though."

I try to step away again only for him to tighten his hold. "If at any time you feel threatened or if you're in trouble... call for me and I will come." His dark eyes stare deeply at me and I find myself nearly drowning in them. I swallow and try hard to keep my smile in place but even I can tell it was stiff.