Page 42 of Ivory Obsession
Everyone at work had difficult research that was groundbreaking. I forced my focus away from the mounting fear, shoving it to the back of my mind. Calmly, I asked, “If my research is safe in the lab, why should we worry about digital threats?”
“Because it’s important,” Dr. White replied.
“I understand that I need to be careful about my digital trail, but haven’t we had workshops about this already? Wait, did I do something wrong?”
“No, Jade, you haven’t done anything wrong,” Rodriguez replied, his voice steady. “But your work...it’s more than just groundbreaking. It’s revolutionary.” He leaned back in his chair, looking at me with an intensity that made my breath hitch. “And revolutionary work can inspire...immoral reactions.”
A chill ran down my spine. ‘Immoral reactions’ sounded a lot like euphemisms for threats and danger, neither of which I was prepared to deal with. Science was supposed to be a field for innovation and exploration, not a battlefield.
“But bioinformatics is a standard tool in most labs,” I countered. “What makes my research so different?”
And also, what the fuck do you know about this, you tech monkey?
I didn’t say that, though. I wasn’t crazy, and my boss was right there.
Edward chuckled, evidently amused by my cluelessness. “Jade, it’s not about the tool, it’s about what you’re using it for.” He glanced at Dr. White significantly, and the older man nodded in agreement. “Your project on genetic modification... let’s just say there are those who would kill to get their hands on it.”
“Dr. Bentley,” I replied.
“Right,” Edward said. “Dr. Bentley. My point stands.”
“Okay,” I managed to squeak out. “So… what do we do then?”
“We tighten security,” Edward said with finality. “We make sure your work, and you,” he added with a pointed look, “are safe.”
“Understood,” I replied, my voice steadier than I felt. Dr. Stuart White gave me a sharp nod, his eyes reflecting the weight of his words as he concluded the meeting.
“Jade, remember, we’re not just talking about data here,” he said, emphasizing each word with gravity. “We’re talking about lives—potentially millions. The security measures are not just protocol; they’re essential.”
“Of course,” I murmured, folding my notebook closed and rising from the table. I felt both honored and overwhelmed by the responsibility laid upon my shoulders. I hadn’t taken any notes, but the meeting had left a sour taste in my mouth.
The success of my project hinged on more than just scientific prowess; it required vigilance against unseen threats.
Later, in the BioHQ cafeteria, I found a secluded corner to enjoy a much-needed coffee break. Ellie was already there, stirring her tea with a furrowed brow. She looked up as I approached, her warm brown eyes clouded with concern. “What was that about?” she asked. “Are you in trouble with the principal?”
I laughed. “Kind of feels like it,” I said. “What’s wrong with you?”
She straightened up. “I didn’t want to bring this up today, but I think I’m going to have to.”
“Is something wrong with the duplicating–”
“No. Dante Moretti,” she said.
I took a slow sip of my coffee, buying time. Dante Moretti—a man whose very name sent a shiver of something dangerous down my spine. Smart, seductive, and connected to the city’s underbelly in ways I didn’t want to contemplate.
“El, you worry too much,” I tried to reassure her, my tone light. “Dante is just... a distraction. A minor one at that.” I forced a smile, hoping to convey confidence I wasn’t entirely sure I felt.
“Are you sure about that?” Ellie pressed, her gaze sharp and probing. “Because when you talk about him, it doesn’t seem like a minor thing.”
“Trust me,” I insisted, though the image of Dante’s alluring smile and the sound of his velvety voice lingered unbidden in my mind. “He’s got no influence over me or my work. He’s just...it’s complicated.”
“Complicated can be dangerous,” Ellie warned, but I shook my head, refusing to let her fears taint the thrill of Dante’s attention.
“Let’s focus on what we can control, like the research,” I suggested, eager to steer the conversation away from territory I was still navigating myself. I needed Ellie to believe that Dante Moretti was nothing more than a passing fancy—an entanglement I could easily untwist myself from.
“You can control Dante Moretti, Jade,” she said.
“El,” I replied, my tone a whisper. “Weren’t you the one to say I needed to get laid? Now I’m getting laid and you have a problem with it.”