Read Total Surrender for Free Online

and when she’d tracked him down, she’d been thrilled. “I’ll fix the chip.” God, she shouldn’t make that promise. What if she couldn’t keep it?
    “I hope so,” he said, no expression on his hard face and the light disappearing from his eyes.
    Piper swallowed, her gaze sliding to take in the large office and myriad of antique guns, all killing machines, decorating the walls. Nothing but the desk and two chairs sat in the room, leaving the overall effect as masculine and stark. Just like her father. Would he have been the same—so distant—if she’d known him as a child? “I could also use another pair of hands tomorrow using the second computer in the room. Any ideas?”
    The commander nodded. “Yes. I’ll have an aide sent toyou as soon as I can have it arranged, as I assume the new program will be written by then?”
    “Yes.” Even if she had to stay up all night, she’d figure out a way to reach the chip. “I appreciate the chance to work here and try.”
    He focused on her, no expression in those midnight black eyes. “You proved yourself in your grades and the internship work with Homeland Security. However, if you’re unable to succeed, our genetic bond won’t matter when it comes to working here.”
    “I understand.” Her stomach lurched. She couldn’t fail now that she was so close to getting to know him finally. The idea of having her parent think of her as a failure, especially in her chosen field, tightened her stomach until it hurt—especially since her taking the job had pissed off her mother so much. This had to work out somehow.
    His gaze gentled. “Even if you can’t write the code, you’re welcome to stay in Utah. I find I like having you here.”
    Her throat clogged, and she blinked. He liked having her there? It was the nicest thing she’d ever heard from him, and all her silly, childhood dreams came crashing back. She smiled, barely keeping her lips from trembling. “I’ll figure out how to bypass the computer safeguards. It’s our only chance.”
    “Good.” He clasped large hands together on the desk. “After such a rough start with computers, it’d make me proud to see you succeed here.”
    Proud? “Okay.” She owed him her freedom, without question. “I know where I’d be right now had you not interceded.” She paused and met his gaze directly. “You saved me.”
    The commander lifted one dark silver eyebrow. “I would’ve become involved in your life before you ended up in trouble, had I known you existed.”
    She interlaced her fingers to keep from wringing her hands. “My mother said you lived a very dangerous life,and she wanted to keep me safe from it.” From the numerous armed soldiers in every passageway, her mother hadn’t exaggerated. Although keeping a child from her father didn’t set well with Piper, either. “I’m sorry we hadn’t met earlier.” Attending the father-daughter dance at her high school with her softball coach had left an empty place in her belly for a week.
    Then at her lowest point, her father had swooped in and saved her.
    “I’m glad I realized who you were when you hacked into my system,” he said softly. He eyed his watch. “You’re my daughter, and I couldn’t very well let you go to prison for hacking, now could I? Once I discovered your aptitude, I saw a future for us together, and I need the help.” He glanced at his computer and back to her.
    Piper breathed out. He needed her. Now all she had to do was figure out the program, save Jory, and get her mother to relax. “You do understand that I was trying to find you and not just hack into your system, right?”
    “I do.” He smiled—a very rare sight. “Of course, once in my system…”
    She winced. “I know. Curiosity is the bane of all hackers.”
    “Keep in mind what it does to cats.” He lifted an eyebrow.
    A chill swept down her back. “I know.”
    He cleared his throat. “Has your mother come to terms with your working for me?”
    Piper