Draco (Coded for Love 2)

Beckoning her in, he glanced up and down the corridor.

Amazed, Lara followed him. “You hacked the code?”

He laughed. “Lara Compton, you’re going to have to stop thinking like that. Your dad gave me the code so we could observe a meeting.”

She stared around the narrow room. It was barely lit, with LED lighting running around the skirting boards so you could see where you walked. A couple of stackable chairs stood in one corner, but nothing else. Then she noticed a tinted glass window filled one wall. Beyond the window she could see a boardroom. “Wait, what? My father has a secret viewing room?”

“Yes, and he’s allowed us to watch because we think you’ll enjoy this. And…if it goes well, your dad might let me hang around here a bit longer.”

Before she had a chance to reply, people streamed into the boardroom beyond.

Lara recognized many of the management team, but there was a young guy dressed entirely in leathers, and he was being ushered the table by Janice. Janice put him at the opposite end to her dad who was already in his seat.

“Who’s that?

“That’s Rory, my stepbrother.”

“Oh, wow!” She peered at the biker guy, intrigued.

Rory put a document folder and his bike helmet on the table.

Lara craned her neck to see her dad’s reaction. He appeared to be staring at the unlikely presence of a motorcycle helmet on his pristine glass boardroom table with an amused expression.

The meeting began.

Lara suddenly realized a speaker allowed them to hear what was being said.

She grinned at Draco.

He nodded. “I know! How cool is this?”

“Before we get to matters on today’s agenda, I’d like to introduce a guest speaker. Rory, if you’d like to give your presentation.”

Rory stood up. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve come here today for a few minutes to talk about computer security and recent unapproved accessing of financial accounts within the company.”

Douglas Warrington, the IT manager, shuffled in his seat and looked at Compton Senior before gesturing with his hands.

Lara saw her dad put up his hand, indicating

Warrington should stay quiet.

“First of all let me explain my appearance. I have to be at my real job soon.” Rory grinned. “I’m a motorbike mechanic and my usual place of work is a bike workshop. I’ll leave my card in case any of you ever need motorcycle maintenance.”

Draco put his hand over his mouth as if trying not to laugh.

One of the assembled managers harrumphed loudly enough for all those assembled to hear. Her dad shot him a silencing glance.

“I’ll be direct. My brother hacked into Compton Finance’s security system around eighteen months ago and is currently serving a jail sentence.”

Around the table there were gasps and murmurs of disapproval.

Rory continued. “Mr Compton was concerned there might be another security breach during the last few weeks. I was called in. I found the breach, and the name of the individual was passed to Mr Compton.”

The tension around the table magnified.

Lara leaned closer to the glass, thrilled.

“I’m sure many of you are wondering why a motorbike mechanic can analyse the systems used by numerous financial gurus on a daily basis. Let’s just call it a knack.” He smiled. “I was employed because someone believed I could analyze the system quickly and efficiently. Job done. However in the process of analysing the security breaches—and there were several—I noticed some additional areas could be tightened up. With Mr Compton’s approval I put together a document with a few suggestions. I’ve printed out several copies of the document and Janice will be emailing a copy of this to each and everyone at you after the meeting.”