It's Hell To Choose (The Kurtherian Gambit Book 9) by Michael Anderle

change the defensive hacking algorithms. And, they would know that their spy satellites had been hacked.<<

    ADAM, track those images.

    >>Understood.<<

    “Ok, what do you suggest we do about them?” She inquired.

    “Well, suing them isn’t a viable option. That would cause us too many other issues and then we would be on the radar of some very influential people.”

    “We aren’t already?” She asked.

    “Well, sure. But we haven’t had a request to speak before Congress as an example.” Jakob replied.

    “Exactly how would they make me do this?” She smiled at him, and he rolled his eyes.

    “Just because they can’t exactly figure out who you are, doesn’t mean that your Romanian passport will save you from further review. The longer you stay out of sight, the better.” He leaned back in his chair and chew on his pen for a moment before asking, “I don’t suppose you do ditzy well, do you?”

    Bethany Anne lowered her eyes to stare at her recalcitrant House counsel when she heard Darryl snort. “No.”

    “Hey, I have to ask. I didn’t think you would pull it off too well, but you asked me for my best. A ditzy interview or two and then you have some of the guys looking for the power behind the throne so to speak. Hell, half these people are still going to look for it.”

    “Because I’m too young, too female or too…”

    “Good looking.” Jakob supplied.

    “Seriously?”

    “Yes, of course. Men have issues with a woman who is too good looking. We can’t handle it internally, you see. It’s bad enough that all of our chemicals are fighting us when you come around. When you open your mouth and express your intelligence, we immediately have to try to label you a pariah, a bitch, a … Well, never mind. Too much power in your hands at that point. Well, some I suppose would just find you to be that much more of a challenge, but those guys can’t imagine someone better than them anyway.” He shrugged non-committal. “Them’s the breaks, kid.”

    Bethany Anne sat back then turned her head towards the door, “Darryl, what do you think about Jakob’s comments?”

    Darryl didn’t place his head inside the door this time. Rather, he called out, “Which part?”

    Bethany Anne chewed her lip, “The too good looking part. Is this a problem?”  

    This time, Darryl put his head inside the door, “With the team? Hell no! We’ve seen the blood. Problem solved.”

    Before he could duck back, she followed it up with, “And others?”

    He stopped to consider her request, “Most guys? Yes, it’s mostly true. Obviously, not the Vampires and certainly not Michael. But for a lot of the general population it could be a challenge. But really, guys have figured out tactics when dealing with women who are intelligent and attractive. For most guys, it won’t be an issue because you will be out of reach, and therefore you will be a fantasy, not a reality. It’s the women you have to worry about.”

    “Yeah, I know about that side. Thanks.” He nodded and turned back into the hallway, “So, speaking of ladies, how are the negotiations with Jennifer Tehgen going?” She had turned back to Jakob.

    “Well, she is going to be my representative in Washington for now. That way, they can’t ask her anything, and if they do try to question her, she has never been here.”

    “I won’t allow someone to grab her.” Bethany Anne started.

    Jakob put up a hand to stop her, “She has backup already. Frank Kurns found three close-support personnel to keep up with her.”

    “Who?” Bethany Anne was trying to think who he might have hired and how he vetted them.

    Jakob leaned forward to grab one of his many yellow pads to flip over three pages. “I see that he has supplied a Rickie Escobar, Matthew Tseng and one of the Guardian Marines, a ‘Scottie’ to the group.”

    Bethany Anne wanted to pick up the phone and ask Frank what the hell was he thinking? He had just shipped out two Werewolves