The Boss Assignment (Rogue Protectors Book 3) by Victoria Paige (red scrolls of magic txt) 📗

“We did an upgrade to the software a year ago and it seems this bug was introduced,” Nico said.

“That’s a costly bug,” Charly pointed out.

“And you haven’t found anything in Pierre’s bank accounts, Nico?” Luis asked.

“No, I’ve been keeping track for a while. Nothing suspicious. I’ve requested the surveillance footage and personnel movement records from the three warehouses the XZite came from. They were careful not to concentrate the smuggling from only one warehouse.”

“What’s all this about virus data?” Charly asked.

“Activities in our labs are logged into the database, a form of auditing, if you will,” Antonio said. “After the rumors exploded that the Z-91 was created in our labs, we immediately sought to debunk it by doing a query in our auditing records.” His face hardened. “To our surprise, a full set of test results and entries have been logged as though it was really created and tested in our labs.”

“But you have no physical evidence of the virus itself.”

“No.”

“Simulators are advanced now. I can see how false data could have been entered in your records with malicious intent.” She paused. “By the way, where’s my stuff?”

“In the basement.”

“You did stick the virus in a biocontainment chamber, right. My pelican case and Garrison’s fancy backpack have a limited power supply.”

Antonio scowled at her. “I’m offended you had to ask.”

Charly raised her arms. “Trust, but verify.”

Ida clapped her hands. “Enough of business talk. Lunch first. Then you can all go to the basement.”

Though Charly was eager to get to work, she wouldn’t admit it to anyone at the table.

However, she was starving, and she always worked better on a full stomach.

9

Lunch conversation focused around Andrade business in general, primarily the upcoming gala where they would formally announce two of their most anticipated products. Both were in their third round of clinical trials and the data and results were solid. They also discussed the guest list and the foreign representatives who would be flying in on Andrade’s dime.

“Boring conversation, huh,” Nico said beside her. He was having his third serving of yucca and the delicious stew Ida had prepared. “Are you done eating?”

“I’m full.” She patted her stomach.

“If you’re ever hungry in the middle of the day, just call to the kitchen,” Ida said. “I can send down a sandwich.”

“Uh.” Her smile was unsure. “Thanks?”

Charly didn’t know how to react to this. She didn’t exactly eat at the table when she was Carillo’s prisoner. She was escorted to her room and a dinner tray would be waiting there. She only ate twice a day. A heavy breakfast and a heavier dinner. Apparently, cartel bosses expected you to work sixteen-hour days and, at clutch time, when she had to work almost forty-eight hours straight, she was given protein bars, red bull, and water. Which wasn’t really much different from when she was in school and following her stints in research facilities. The vending machine was her friend. Here, they were treating her more like family, more so than she’d ever felt like family since her mom died.

As if noticing her disconcerted reaction, Nico added, “Like Tio Antonio, Mãe doesn’t like anyone going hungry.”

“After this big lunch, I think I’ll be full for the rest of the day.”

“Nonsense,” Nico said. “After work, I’ll make you the best caipirinha you’ve ever tasted.”

“Best I make it for her,” Antonio spoke from the head of the table. “You still put too much cachaça in yours.”

“That’s the alcohol, right?” Charly asked.

“Yes. Rum is made from the molasses of sugar cane, while cachaça is distilled from fermented fresh sugar cane,” Nico said.

“Why do I feel like I’m on vacation?” Charly directed her question at Antonio. “Or being fattened up for the kill?”

Antonio gave her a salute with the drink in his hand. “You’re imagining things. You’re in Rio. Enjoy it while it lasts.”

“A working vacation. I never thought I’d get one of those.”

After coffee, Antonio stood, shrugged on his coat, and walked over to where Charly sat. He was looking at Nico. “While I show Dr. Bennett the basement, why don’t you get with Luis and see what you can find on the XZite shipment surveillance? You should have received the data by now.”

“Come on, Tio, I want to see Charly’s reaction when you show her the lab,” the young man said and then he laughed. “Besides, I think she would feel more comfortable if I come along.”

Dead silence descended at the table and Antonio’s expression left no doubt he wasn’t pleased with his pseudo-nephew’s statement. Nico cut his laugh short and his light mocha skin turned ruddy.

“Is that true, Dr. Bennett?” Antonio’s eyes glittered. “Are you scared of me?”

For a businessman who obviously knew what he was doing because … billionaire… he was certainly clueless. A pit of apprehension formed in her stomach. Or maybe because his cluelessness was lack of empathy?

“Judging from your silence, I guess Nico’s assumption is correct.” His eyes slitted. “This is the second time you’ve offended me in a space of an hour.”

Seriously? Seriously?

Her own smarty-pants mouth wouldn’t let that slide. She rose from her chair, hands flying to her hips, and returning Antonio’s scowl with one of her own, she said, “First of all, you need to stop being easily offended. That’s not a good look on you. Second? Let’s not forget that not forty-eight hours ago, you threw me over your shoulder and kidnapped me, while also guaranteeing that I had no money, no passport, and no phone. Basically, I was at your mercy. Third? The moment we came into this house, you locked me in a room. You may argue that it’s for my own safety. Granted you’ve given me whiplash by being nice to me suddenly and keeping me well-fed, that doesn’t negate what you’ve already done. Now, you’re taking me to the basement and pointedly keeping anyone else from accompanying us.” Charly inhaled and exhaled sharply before soldiering on, “And being scared of you hadn’t occurred to me until Nico