Bleeding Edge: Elliot Security (Elliot Security Series Book 2) by Evie Mitchell (short story to read .txt) 📗

deep, continuing. “David already had two wives, which wasn’t uncommon in the commune. He beat his wives, and rumours were, he had sex with his daughters. Fifteen with no money or transport, but I knew there was no way in hell I’d marry that monster. I’d been counting down the days until I was eighteen and could legally escape. I had an exit strategy. But at fifteen, I wasn’t nearly ready. So, I… I did what I had to do.” I looked away, feeling my cheeks burn with shame. “I hacked their accounts. I set up an automatic program, ready to wire myself fifty thousand into a series of elaborate dummy accounts for when I finally escaped.” I huffed out a breath. “David decided to up the wedding date. Instead of escaping the night before, I ended up married.”

“Fuck, Emmie–”

“Let me finish. After he fell asleep, I crept out. I’d hidden away cash prior to the wedding. Bumping up the wedding meant I was limited in what I could take without getting caught. The night I bailed, I got on a bike and cycled to the nearest town. I’d arranged to meet a guy who sold me a car at four in the morning. I still have no idea how I lucked out with him. I used it to drive to Perth. Once there, I ditched the car and caught the first plane to Adelaide.” I closed my eyes, remembering the fear and pain.

“I could forge documents that looked legit. I didn’t have a driver’s license, but on the commune, we were taught to drive from a young age. I forged all that before leaving, including my name change. I had about a week in which to do it and not get caught. They were the last items on my list, it was too risky to do them earlier. Room inspections were conducted to ensure we didn’t have contraband. After I left, I knew they couldn’t report me for the thefts.”

“Why didn’t you go to the police? Report them?”

I looked at Luc, pleading for understanding. “It would never have gotten to trial. And even if they’d put one guy away, or shut down the commune, there are others all over the world doing Edward’s bidding. I was a young kid with few options. My best seemed to be to run.”

“Where’d you go?”

“When I got to Adelaide, I found a share house, told them I was working, but actually attended a technical college to get my high school certificate. I moved to Melbourne and stated working for an IT firm after forging a degree. I got complacent. I grew used to the bustle of Melbourne. I felt like they wouldn’t find me in a big city. They did.”

I swallowed and reached for the folder Luc had placed on his coffee table. I drew the pictures I wanted from the pile, handing them to Luc as I spoke. “I got the postcards to begin with. Then photos and dolls with their boobs burnt off or their genitals melted. It scared the hell out of me. I got up the guts to report it. The police couldn’t do much. These guys cover their tracks, and state police weren’t equipped at the time to deal with cyber incidents. I moved three times, but somehow, they kept tracking me down. So, I backpacked around Australia for six months, scared they’d find me if I stayed in one place too long.”

“Why not try overseas?”

“I didn’t have the tools or connections for a fake passport. Visas are required to stay too long overseas. That requires identification I can’t replicate in a way that would pass any decent scrutiny. Anyway, I changed my name a few times, kept moving, and after a while they didn’t find me. This last time, I went from Brisbane across to Darwin, then bought a cheap car and drove to Canberra. I figured the state had a high transient population, so there’d be plenty of people wanting someone who was happy to share for short leases. It was as good a place as any to hide.” I reached for my tea, took a sip and continued.

“I moved into my current apartment. I’d done my homework, knew the guy had no online records, and he accepts cash. I didn’t want an online employee presence so I worked for cash for a guy Pax’s dad knew. I got a job with Elliot Securities, built a profile. I figured I was safer looking like everyone else on the grid than being an anomaly off it.”

I stopped, watching as Luc’s face darkened. I quickly stammered out the rest. “I’m sorry I lied, but this” −I gestured at the folder− “means they’ve found me again.”

Luc remained silent and still for a long moment. I bit my lip, waiting.

“There’s a lot in that story, but I’ll start with Pax and his dad. Even if Ross had taken you at face value, Pax never does. That guy is thorough. The fact you’re still working for Elliot Securities tells me you’re fucking good at your job.”

A ghost of a smile flirted with my lips. “I’ve had to be. My name changes. My moves. The only reason these guys found me is because Edward is the best. He knows what to look for.”

Luc shook his head, “We’ll deal with that later. But let’s start with your name.”

“Hey now, I love Emmie. I feel I am more of an Emmie.”

He didn’t laugh. “Keys, what was your name?”

“You don’t need to know that.”

“Keys, I think I do.”

“No, you don’t. That’s information you don’t need.”

“You want me to deal with these pricks or not?”

I froze. Fear striking me deep.

“No.” My blood turned to ice, shivers racing down my spine.

“What?” He frowned. “You don’t want me to–”

“No!” I surged forward to cup his face, ignoring the twinge of pain as my side protested the sudden movement. “Jesus, Lucien, no! You can’t go near them! Fuck, fuck!” I started shaking, fear ripping through me. He wrapped his