I Can't Own You? (BOOK 1)

42 (NEW)

RYAN

Flashback

Text:

James: Well??

The ding from the text makes me roll over in my twin sized bed. I wipe my eyes and reply:

Well what? 😐

James: I just sent you which card to use...can't you read?? Update your software.

I double check my messages to see if I read over anything. The "well?" text was the only recent message he had sent me. The rest were days old, and were me telling him I haven't updated my software yet due to needing money.

Reply: No u didn't

The text bubble loads for a while, I get out of bed and go to my computer. I need better cloaking software...the kind I have right now is outdated and on the crackable list. Meaning the illegal cards I made could be discovered by the government. I sit at a computer chair and log into my user on my PC, pulling up a notepad. The typing pad holds three card numbers, along with the CVVS and expiration dates.

A text dings my phone again...I read it.

James: I sent the info to you. 212-722-8598

At a glance, I assume the number is mine; I was about to ask for the card number again until I notice that the last digit is wrong.

Reply: my number is 212-722-8599

I wait for a reply. Instead, I get a call. I answer it instantly.

"You need to shut that card down; we can't afford to let this slide." James gruff voice demands.

I pull up a black box on the screen, typing white numbers, and adding the phone number into the mix: 212-722-8598.

I apply location sculpting through a code black box. Results slash down the screen, going left to right. I get a location, a map view. "The text went to someone living in an apartment complex. We got nothing to worry about."

"No, you need to create a new one!"

"Look, I just can't speed up the process; I'll need time to cook up a new card and transfer the money. I'll keep an eye on it; if there's any activity, I'll let you know. I highly doubt this person is even tech savvy. They don't have any of the criteria to spend anything, anyway."

James breathes heavily on the other side. "Call me right away, I mean as soon as anything happens. If not, you're fired."

I bite the inside of my jaw, not knowing how to respond. The line clicks off. I stare at the list of cards on the digital screen before me. Kind of hurt. He needs to trust me. Why would he even say that he'd fire me? Would he?

Yes, there are other experienced hackers out there. Would he? He chose me and kept me around only because of my low payout. He's like a rich stepdad to me...I'm pretty sure I'm like a son to him. I hope.

James puts up with me when he doesn't have to. When he has way more qualified people to give my job to, besides a kid. I don't think he'll fire me.

"Ry, get ready for school!" My mom yells, ending my thoughts. Ugh...school. If only she knew I didn't need it anymore. I had a good job...and that's all school is for...to get a job. I'm so beyond it. Yet, I have to keep a low profile, so just play along. James told me once to "always keep a straight lie to survive."

"Okay, I'm getting ready!" I make a quick change into a hoodie and black jeans, and sling my book bag over my shoulder.

At the bus stop, I open an app, which mirrors my computer screen. The balance of the card is still at $10,000. Okay...it's cool. I'm one hundred percent sure it will stay this way.