Blink: 1 (Rebel Minds) Read Online Free Page B

certain they got what they were looking for. I tried following the trail and they covered their tracks very well. Whoever they are, they’ve got skills and they know exactly who you are. They may even be tracking your CP signal.”
    My heart thuds inside my chest, a sickening feeling dropping like a lead weight in my stomach. This is bad.
    “Can we feed them false info? Trace back to them to find out who they are? Anything?”
    “I already talked to Wanda, but she’s swamped and even though she owes me a favor I don’t think she can give it any attention until next week.”
    I grimace. Who would be searching for me? For my middle name no less? No one knows—my brain skids to a stop. Aria knows. I frown. But she wouldn’t have the resources for that type of hack. She couldn’t. I know almost everything there is to know about her, and she doesn’t associate with Techs.
    “Thanks Drew. I gotta go.” I can hear her sigh heavily on the other end of the line.
    “Just be safe, J. Please. I don’t like the idea that secured information is out there for anyone to find. I especially don’t like that it’s about you.”
    “I will. And thanks. I’ll keep you posted.”
    “You got it.”
    The connection cuts and I focus on my next meeting. I have to clear my mind and erase all traces of Aria before I get there, though that’s getting to be almost impossible. I’ll deal with the mysterious hacker later, but for now, I know one thing… I can’t risk seeing her again.

Chapter 13
    A RIA

    D espite Sierra’s reservations , I’m playing a gig tonight. The dim lights and smoky atmosphere feel like home and I swallow a gulp of cold beer, preparing for my first set. The door opens and she walks toward me, drawing the attention of men from all sides.
    “Hey girlie, ready to knock ‘em dead?”
    “You bet.” My lips curve. My sister always knows how to make me smile.
    Sierra grins back. “Glad I could make it.”
    “Like you would have let me play if you weren’t going to be here.” I roll my eyes, giving her a swift kiss on the cheek in greeting.
    She shrugs. “Hey, I’m just looking out for my baby sis. Someone’s got to.”
    I shake my head and make my way toward the stage. My voice is a little rusty, but I push past it, pounding the black and white keys on my opening number. Part of me wishes Wisdom would walk through the door, like last time. It’s ridiculous, but I think it anyway.
    The set goes well and I end with my new song. When I make my way back to the table where my sister is hibernating, I see her nursing a dark beer and scrolling through her CP.
    “Glad I was so entertaining.” I plop down in a chair across from her.
    She laughs and sets the phone down, clicking the screen off. “No. I was totally listening. I just had a few messages to check on.”
    I see something in her eyes and for some odd reason, it worries me. “What’s going on, Sierra?”
    She looks surprised but recovers quickly, waving her hand in the air and brushing me off. “Nothing. Nothing at all, don’t worry. Want another beer?” She smiles at me, giving me her full attention.
    I want to press the issue but the door opens and my eyes are drawn to the backlit figure. Disappointment twinges. He’s too tall to be Wisdom.
    “No.” I sigh and slump deeper into my chair, glancing at Sierra. “This is ridiculous.”
    “What, honey?” She leans forward, her brow wrinkling with concern.
    I know it’s going to sound dumb, but the words come toppling out before I can stop them. “I miss Wisdom.” I scrub my hands through my hair, feeling like an idiot. Sierra’s expression clouds briefly, then clears. She reaches out and squeezes my hand.
    “Oh sweetie. He’s not real. You know that.”
    “Yeah. I know. You keep telling me that, but I swear he’s as real as…” I falter. I can’t think of anything more real than Wisdom. “As real as you and me sitting here, face to face. In my heart I know .”
    Great. Now I sound