The Billionaire's Twins Play Matchmaker novel Chapter 54

Theo sighed for the tenth time as he peaked down the hallway. After successfully making it to the computer room without being caught his job was lookout while Sean did his thing at the nearest monitor. Minutes ticked by and Sean’s fingers continued to fly over the keyboard without pause.

“Awe, come on,” Theo finally said. “It can’t be that hard to get in.”

“What? I got in ages ago,” Sean snorted. “I already pulled up the security cameras so we’ll know as soon as Alexis and mom arrive.”

“Really?” Theo left his post to see his brother wasn’t kidding. The screen displayed live feed from several cameras monitoring a parking garage. “So what are you doing?”

“Drumming up some troops.”

“Say what now?”

“Hacker forums. I’m getting as many as I can for a cyber attack on Carlisle Enterprises.”

Theo glanced at the open chat on his brother’s computer but couldn’t make heads or tails of the code they used. Finally he said, “I don’t get it.”

“It’s simple. We need a distraction to get Lexi and mom out safely. That’s where these guys come in. While they are in the system my activities are less likely to be noticed.”

“So these other hackers are all going to attack the company’s computers at the same time? But what good is that?”

“It’s a complex computer network and every byte of data we monopolize is going to slow it down and possibly shut it down completely. Think about it. Every second Carlisle Enterprises is shut down is millions of dollars in net loss,” Sean explained, “and while our grandfather’s lackeys run around in a panic I can sneak Lexi and mom out undetected. Saves us some work and keeps me from burning all of my backdoors.”

“And the others are okay with this?”

“Hackers aren’t evil we’re just smart and we do things to prove we can. I’m challenging them to a duel to see who can cause the most havoc not that anyone will be keeping score. It doesn’t matter who wins as long as Lexi and mom are safe.”

“Right.”

“There they are,” Sean said pointing to a camera feed. Sure enough their mother and Alexis emerged from a sedan flanked by several men and were escorted to a freight elevator.

Sean quickly cycled through feeds to keep eyes on them as they were escorted to the executive office. It was a stroke of luck when the men departed leaving the pair alone. Picking up the phone he dialed and waited watching Alexis move toward the sound to pick it up. He gave instructions quickly not wanting to be caught and she complied readily. Now they had eyes and ears in the room.

All the while he egged on the other hackers to hurry so the fun could begin. He knew not everyone would comply but he only needed a few. When Alexis threw down her gauntlet a descent majority had successfully infiltrated the company and bombarded the system with their own viral concoctions.

* * *

“Boys? What are you talking about?” Emerson demanded.

“You don’t do you own research do you? Typical rich boy. I bet you paid people to do your homework too.”

Before he could answer the office door was flung open by a panicked IT member, “Sir!”

“I said I don’t want to be disturbed!” Emerson glared at the young man.

“But sir…we have a big problem! The whole system is under attack.”

“Stay here!” Emerson ordered the mother-daughter pair as he and his men followed the new arrival out. Two remained at the door as their grandfather hurried to a secure computer to see what was happening for himself.

“Nicely done,” Alexis said out loud.

“Thanks,” her brother’s voice answered. “Got a little help.”

“Figured. Now what?”

“I got you an out but you have to move quickly. When the fire alarm sounds count to ten then leave. Turn right and follow the crowd to the stairs. There will be a short hallway on your left that leads to the freight elevator. I’ll hold it for you. Once you get to the first floor turn left and leave out the side exit. It’ll be unlocked. There you’ll find your chariot.”

“Black SUV, right?”

“Right.”

“Okay got it.” Alexis gripped her mother’s hand. “Stay with me mom. I told you everything will be all right.”

“But Lexi, what is going on?”

“We’ll explain later. Promise. We’re ready, Sean.”

“Here we go.”

Seconds later the fire alarms sounded flashing emergency red lights on the startled workers. Many hesitated, grabbing coats and purses rather than fleeing in a hurry. The guards left at the door seemed at an equal loss unsure what they should do. They tried their radios only to receive nothing but static. Thinking something must have truly happened they joined the crowd as they streamed toward the stairs. As with drills the elevators would automatically drop to the first floor and would not take any passengers.

Counting to ten Alexis opened the office door, turned right as her brother instructed and led her mother along the wall with the stragglers who still made a decent crowd. They moved quickly and were long gone before anyone thought to check on them.

As they continued with the crowd Lynn stepped forward to protect her daughter from overeager jostling. Alexis held tight to her mother angling to the opposite wall seeking the hallway Sean assured her was there. Moments later they stepped into the small hallway and out of the streaming crowd. Alexis felt along the wall locating the elevator controls and tapped the button. A ding sounded as the doors opened and she pulled her mother onto it before they were noticed. The doors closed and the elevator descended.

Alexis breathed a sigh of relief already feeling safer.

Her mother didn’t seem to share her relief, “Lexi, what is going on? Was that your brother on the phone? Why isn’t he in class?”

“Umm…yeah that was Sean on the phone. Theo was probably right next to him.”

“How? Did they do all of this?”