𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤: Darknet Darling: Amber
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Dee | DHBurnside

─⁠──⁠───⁠─ ･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧ ─⁠─⁠──⁠──⁠─

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬:
Amber is a working professional frustrated by life. After failing to get a salary increase at work, and drowning in debt, she sees no other option but to turn back to her past history of cybercrime.

She rejoins Rìan and Matt, who have grown bored of small gains from social engineering scams and want to go bigger. Amber is hesitant, after all, it wasn't that long ago that they were almost caught. Trouble at work just might be the last push she needs to go that step even deeper into the dark world. But at what cost?

Note: This book is a work of fiction but is inspired by real-life events.

You won't look at the internet the same again!

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𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐭:
'Failure, looser, idiot,' she thought to herself. Holding a crumpled piece of paper in her hand before tossing it into a nearby bin. Strutting out of the exam room to the rhythm of her heels her head was still held high while she pouted her lips. Determined to not show anyone how she was really feeling. Amber was a force to be reckoned with today. Outdoors, she pulled her sunglasses from her bag, covering the dark circles underneath her eyes.

'I don't need that stupid certificate,' she reminded herself walking away, thinking of that offer she received from outside work activities.

Her hobby could provide the sort of bonus needed, but like everything well paid, that came at a price too. Promised a raise upon gaining accreditation at her actual job but now she hadn't met the criteria - it might have to do. It would be another month before a resit of the exam was even possible. Plus, god knows how many more hours of revision to put into passing it and that's IF she gets it next time.

Bills were mounting at home - rent, tax and her drinking problem were all fighting for attention - alcohol usually won. Today, which pained her the most, she even stayed sober to give her a clear head. And still, nothing to show for it.

There were easier ways for her to make money. Instead of that though, she had been keeping on the straight and narrow road for the better good but it's been difficult. It wasn't that long ago when she could make a couple of hundred off some fool and they would never even be able to place her. Her constant fight for morals always left her in a place of indecision. Right not, that decision was making honest money, in an honest career, at a job she didn't hate although this last while it hadn't been fulfilling her the same way.

She was too good at what she did though. It started as a hobby in college just to get by but since leaving college and starting an actual career nothing gave her that same feeling. That's why they had been recruiting her onto the team - they wanted the best. And she knew as much as them that she was one of the top. Of course, on the straight and narrow path in her career, it was harder to get to the top. They didn't care so much about your actual skills. Instead focusing on 'years of experience' and whatever letter goes after your name. Based on the fact she had a uterus left her out in a lot of the 'cosy boys clubs' too. That is for those who like to climb the ladder. And of course there was always the assumption that she may need to take some time out of her working life and god only knows how many years that would knock her back on said 'ladder'. It was never mentioned that the reason most women were forced to a four day week was that they were always bad less to begin with and it made sense.

She stormed up the street and found herself searching her pocket for her bus pass. After selling her car last year due to her 'habit', drunk driving but we can come back to that, it was a bitter pill to swallow relying on the bus now. It took time out of her busy day to stand around waiting for it and no matter where she went it took twice as long and often more than one bus.

'All this way for nothing!' She thought before boarding to the familiar stale smell and sullen faced people that always sat around. Taking her seat on the top deck, she did appreciate the view, an older man sat across from her staring while chewing on what she could only hope was gum. Pulling out her air pods music would be the only thing to get her through the next forty minutes. Now too depressed to even bother going for a coffee.

She stepped in the door of her home to her dog waging his tail. At least he was happy to see her and smiled for the first time today. Putting her keys onto her desk right on top of all the unopened bills. She kicked off her heels. Finally, relief.

Returning to her office she prepared to write her boss a very sorry email. Not leaving out how the exam was completely set up for her to fail before returning to work. A migraine was setting in by the time she pressed send but with two projects due this week it wasn't exactly the time for her to become ill. Not when she wasn't getting her pay rise.

An email pinged back.

'Don't worry happens to the best of us. Better luck next time.'
At least he took it well but then again of course he would. He wasn't going to be out more cash on her raise. Of course, she was still doing all the work without the qualification so it suited him either way. Without that certificate though, they had her. Anytime she brought it up, her boss regularly liked to site her new contract. Raise upon accreditation – not the actual work. Unjustice.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She knew who it was from before even clicking open the message. A small part of her was grateful. It made it easier to go back to her old habits when there were people pining for her return.

'Have you thought more about what we talked about?' she had ignored his previous two messages but now she didn't think she was exactly able to do that. And why should she? The world wasn't exactly being fair to her either. After all the accreditation bodies had quotas to meet - didn't she?

Not replying she returned to her work but that was all she could think about for the rest of the day. Tonight she would rebook the exam and the studying would begin again. After seven years it was an endless loop of study, exam, repeat. Not that she failed every exam but it was more the career of 'constant learning' or, from her point of view, 'constant distraction' from bigger and better things in this world.

Around two, she poured herself a glass of straight vodka and ice. That'll help keep the migraine at bay. By then her hands had a shake and the cravings wouldn't let her focus. It was purely medicinal of course just to get her through these reports.

At five with blurred vision, she closed her laptop and picked up her phone.

'I have... and I still don't know.' She typed her reply carefully. It buzzed with an incoming message seconds later.

'Let's meet to discuss?' she knew how the meet-up would go. He would talk, she would listen, and somehow, she would end up agreeing. He had a way with words. Her main reason why she had resisted speaking to him for a long time after what had happened. Thinking how close they were to being caught... they all could be in prison right now.

'Okay,' she typed, her hand with a tremor. 'But I'm going to be the one talking.'

*

Sitting in the café a few days later Amber waited for him to show up. She was confident all day leading up to this but now her nerves were wavering. Maybe she should have put some vodka in her bag she silently cursed to herself. He would smell it though and he was technically her 'boss'. But if she was going to do this it would be on her terms.

He walked in looking like a lost college student. Like always he never dressed to signify he had money. That was a fouls game.

'Don't you look striking.' Rían announced pulling out a chair to sit down. He was in full charm today. I guess she couldn't disagree. She didn't exactly give off the usual look for what they did. With long blonde hair loosely curled, a full face of makeup perfectly contoured that highlighted her brown eyes, and a curved figure most girls envied. It was a shame she choose to work out of the spotlight was a phrase said to her more than once.

'Not looking half bad either.' She returned his smile. If she was being honest, he had seen better days. His beard was overgrown and ungroomed, matched with brown curly hair and an oversized jumper with jeans. When he sat across from her they received a few stares not that they noticed.

'Thanks for meeting, Am. I know I've asked a lot from you.'

'It's nice to see you.' She took a deep breath to calm down before looking him right in the eyes. 'I thought a lot about what we talked about and I'm here to tell you I want to be involved again but I have some terms and conditions. You guys didn't listen to me last time and we are all lucky to be here talking now.'

She was surprised by how steady and stern her voice sounded to her own ears. Inside, her stomach was in a hoop.

'I'm listening now. What's your proposal?' She was surprised he wasn't attempting to take over.

'I pick my... clients...' she whispered conscious of eavesdroppers, 'and I'll work hours that I choose. I want to keep up appearances at work... last time I let things slip. I'm lucky I still have a job.'

'Done. Anything else.'

'I want a pay rise.'

'Send me a number, you earned it. Anything else?' she stared at him a little dumbstruck and he put his hand out to her to shake it. 'Ready to start tomorrow?'

'Next week... I need time to prepare.' Her weekend was free but he didn't need to know that.

'And there's me thinking you were done making demands.' He laughed. 'I'll have Joe drop around some equipment tonight to the old office. You know where it is.' She thought about working from home but died at the thought of a neighbor overhearing her. It was better to keep things separated.

'How could I forget... above rosters.'

'We had to move... after what happened.' He leaned in and lowered his voice. 'It's the old hotel. I'll send you the details.'

*

The week passed in a blur. And before she knew it she found herself outside the back of the old hotel knocking on an apartment door. Rían opened it to her.

'Welcome back.' He smiled but she looked straight past him into the room. Her idea of paradise. A full setup. Eyes scanned the room to find what she left behind.

'Where is it?' she asked straight away. Finally looking at Rían's face.

'We got you an update,' he replied looking flabbergasted.

'You know how I feel about updates - I like to pick what I want.'

'Wait. Before you say anything more just let me show you first okay.' She could tell he wasn't feeling as confident now with his face looking warmer. Amber wasn't easy to impress, something she was unapologetic for. He walked over to the table and pulled out a case. And then a laptop smaller than the one she had.

'MacBook pro.'

'You didn't.'

'You're right. I didn't. It's a Dell i7... 32GB.' She had to admit. That was a good buy.

'... I'll judge whether it's up to scratch.' She looked a little annoyed rubbing her tongue across her teeth. It would need a lot of software updating but she expected that. 'I'll let you know if I need another.'

'Trust me you won't but I'll take your word for it.'

Sitting at her old desk she felt that familiar feeling in her stomach. The feeling she always got before she started... excitement. No matter how much she knew what she does was wrong there was nothing that could ever compare to this feeling.

'Need any names to get you going?' Rían called.

'If you have any. Just give me a minute. I need to finish testing my software. I'm impressed but it will need some tweaks. Later though.' As painful as it was for her to admit it was a pretty decent setup. He had already done some work on it for her too but it still needed her touch.

'I thought you would say that.'

'Unmarried, no children, and a senior manager. Perfect,' she thought. Everything she needed was right here on his social media profile combined with a small purchase on the web. God, didn't he learn anything from his company collapsing last year?

Baby crying in background, change voice on, and dial.

'Hi... I'm so sorry.... shhh baby shhh don't cry.... sorry... I'm just trying to settle my newborn.'

'That's no problem mam. What can I help you with?' A woman answered, perfect. She needed understanding.

'My husband... Harry Newson. I'm trying to log into his email so I can see the prescription for my baby's medicine, but I think I wrote the password down wrong. He is away traveling at the moment, and I can't reach him. Is there any way I can get access over the call?'

'oh... I'm so sorry mam. Let me check if can I do something here.... Sorry, he is down here as unmarried?'

'Really? Oh no... we are only married the last 12 months he mustn't have updated it....'

'I can update it now for you?'

'Oh. You could? I'd be so grateful.'

'Okay. Name and phone number?'

'Grace Newson... 00374621636.'

'Thank you, Grace.... I can reset the password, but you'll have to change it for your husband's account so once you've reset it, he will be logged out, is that okay?'

'Yes... that's perfect. Thank you so much... shhh don't worry mummy's going to help you in two minutes... I'll let my husband know when I reach him. He is in Australia asleep right now but as soon as he wakes up.'

'No problem mam.... That's done. Is there anything else?

'No that's everything thanks so much for your help.'

'Have a good day and I hope everything goes alright with the little one.' Amber felt a little guilty but is it her problem that she clearly didn't listen to her training? Nope.

'You're so kind. I can't thank you enough.'

𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘱𝘪𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯.