Chapter 15 #2
I’m watching you, and I think this photo is the perfect inspiration for the cover.
“Maybe we should tell Garrett about it,” Josh said, worry in his voice.
“Yeah, maybe. He could at least tell us what to do. He’s not threatening us or anything, but it’s clear he’s stalking us. What I don’t get is why he’s doing it.”
“Wasn’t this guy one of our first clients? He’s been with us for years, so why is he only being creepy now?”
Riley froze, recalling their past interactions with CJ Rollins.
“You’re right,” he said, his thoughts tumbling. “We were surprised he reached out to us a few months after we announced our business.”
“Yeah! We were freaking out ’cause we got this best-selling author messaging us. It was like it was too good to be true.”
A chill ran down Riley’s spine. Was it in the realm of possibility that this guy was playing some kind of long game with them? If so, where would it end?
“Are you going to respond?” Josh asked, breaking Riley from his dark thoughts.
He took a moment to think before drafting something, hoping to get some answers.
If you continue stalking us, we’ll be forced to take legal action against you and drop your contracts.
It was only a moment before a response landed in their inbox.
Since I was in a parking lot, on public property, I’m afraid I wasn’t doing anything illegal. But go ahead and try. I know way more than you think.
“Okay, fuck this guy,” Riley said, standing from his spot on the couch with his laptop and stomping toward his bedroom.
He preferred working on the couch next to Josh, but when he needed more computer power, he was forced to vacate to his mini-desk.
“What are you doing?” Josh asked, following him into his bedroom and sitting on the edge of Riley’s bed.
Riley glanced at him, sitting nervously in his snuggie. They always tried to get as cozy as possible at home, and once they discovered snuggies, it upped the cozy-factor. He spared his rumpled bestie a smile and turned to his workstation.
“I’m hacking the bastard. Time to find out who he really is.”
“Oh shiiiiiiiit!” Josh said, pumping his arms. “Motherfucker is about to be arileyated!”
Riley paused in his typing to stare at Josh. “Ari-what?”
“A-riley-ated. It’s like annihilated, but by Riley.”
Despite his mood to scorch some earth, he couldn’t help but smile. Josh was supportive with everything.
“I like it,” he murmured, getting back to work.
“Wait!” Josh shouted. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
Riley narrowed his eyes for a second until it hit him. He chuckled as he opened his desk drawer and slipped on his Batman mask. Now, he was officially in detective mode.
Josh gave him a firm nod and said, “That’s better.”
He smiled sheepishly, happy to be wearing a mask now that his cheeks were probably getting pinker, and got to work.
After a few moments, he found that CJ Rollins’ email and website were created using a library computer on a college campus in Philly almost a decade ago.
That wouldn’t help with much, especially since it was such a popular school with South Jersey students.
Next, he went after CJ’s billing details and found that everything was created under a business called CJ Rollins, LLC, and only led to a P.O. Box.
Fuck.
He could go deeper—by not necessarily legal means. This was when his conscience always took over, and reminded him why he didn’t become a world class hacker/spy. But what if this guy escalated? Nothing would stop Riley from protecting Josh with every tool in his arsenal.
Instead, he navigated to the email and typed another response.
If you hurt Josh, I swear nothing could stop me from finding you.
“Dude, what about you? I don’t want him to hurt you either,” Josh said, reading over Riley’s shoulder.
He could feel sweat beading on his forehead, thinking about this guy laying a single hand on his best friend. His own safety wouldn’t matter. All that would matter was protecting Josh.
Another reply appeared on their screen.
I would never hurt Josh, or you, Riley. I love and support you guys more than you know.
Go ahead and ask your detective friend, Garrett, if you’re unsure.
You’re in no danger from me, and you never will be.
However, I’m also a pain in the ass (ask my girlfriend), so we’re going to have some fun first. I’ll even give you a hint about my true identity: I’m not following you.
“How the fuck is that a hint?” Josh asked.
Riley read the email three more times trying to figure out the subtext. If he wasn’t following them, then why was he in the parking lot that morning?
“Fuck me,” Riley said, exasperated.
“Wait, really?” Josh said, confusion lacing his voice and making Riley’s gaze snap toward him. “You’d want to do that? Shouldn’t we, like, I don’t know… I don’t want to hurt you or anything.”
His jaw dropped, realizing what Josh was talking about.
“Josh, I meant, fuck me, this situation is insane, not fuck me as in, fuck me, please.”
Josh blanched and squirmed where he was sitting.
“Oh. Right. I knew that. I was kidding, obviously.”
Looking around the room aimlessly for a moment, Josh stood and announced he was getting back to work.
Riley let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding, trying to ignore the images that were flashing in his mind. Images he’d love to recreate with Josh.
Yeah, they would need to talk about things. And soon.