Chapter 3
THREE
CRESSIDA
My job is to investigate things that the everyday person could never even fathom.
I interview some of the worst people who have ever lived.
And I love it. I understand this job isn’t for everyone—it’s fucked-up, some of the stuff I uncover.
It also makes me extremely paranoid and even more protective of my son.
I went to college for journalism, but working for a local newspaper is worlds apart from being in the chaos of a big media corporation.
Thankfully, my ex was well-connected, and when I first started out, he pulled some strings to get me an internship at one of the big digital news outlets.
I clawed my way up from there, one late-night deadline at a time.
A few years later, they gave me my first big lead, and I have been addicted to the chase ever since. And it’s what I love.
A lot of my stories go viral, which keeps me comfortably paid. My boss wants to keep his golden goose happy and on his staff.
I was at a work event when I first saw Soren. He’s pretty well known in media circles. He owns and operates a large corporation and is the media mogul of many news channels. Not the one I work for, which I think he hates because no matter how much he tries to stop me, it won’t work.
“Soren called.” I lift my head to find my boss, Michael, at my office door as I’m packing up to leave for the day.
“And?” I pull my bag strap over my shoulder. The damn thing is heavy, with my laptop weighing it down.
“He said you’ve been harassing him.”
“There’s a big story there. Do you not want to be the first to drop it?” I ask.
“You weren’t meant to go after him. We have discussed this. Soren is powerful. I want you to remember that.” Michael isn’t telling me to stop, but his warning is clear. He understands what I’m doing, even if he disagrees with it.
“I get it, and I’ll be careful.” I smile at him.
I didn’t tell him about going to the fight last night because I don’t have to share the details of my investigation with him.
I only have to show him the outcome of my research, which works well for both of us because he doesn’t have to lecture me about how I shouldn’t be doing certain things, and I don’t have to listen to the lecture and then ignore whatever he’s said.
I like to investigate stories on my own because I feel like I have a more personal connection when I do it myself.
I catch the train back to my place. Noah is already inside with Oliver when I open the door.
We both have a key to each other’s homes.
Though we’re no longer together, we’re still good friends.
We understand that we don’t use the keys unless it involves our son, and the other person has to approve it first.
“Mom, you’re home.” Oliver, who is seven, looks up from where he and Noah sit with a pizza between them on the kitchen table.
“I see you cooked.” I waggle my brows at them.
“I got in late… pizza was the easiest choice,” Noah says, then stands. He wipes his hands on his blue trousers. He looks good, though he never really looks bad.
“Got a hot date tonight?” I ask him as I walk over and kiss his cheek. He kisses mine back and then shakes his head.
“No, just working late.”
Noah’s a banker, and he’s a good one. His family owns a lot of commercial property, so he’s always been well off. I come from a more modest background, but we didn’t do badly for ourselves either. Still, I wouldn’t be where I am today without his help or the influence of his family.
“Can I chat with you outside?” Noah asks and nods toward the door. I kiss Oliver’s head as I put my bag down, then I follow Noah out. I shut the door so our voices won’t carry back to Oliver.
“I had a visitor today,” he tells me, sliding his hands into his pockets.
“Okay,” I reply, confused as to what that has to do with me.
“Soren Nixon was waiting outside my building today when I left to pick up Oliver.” I bite my lip at that information. Of course, he was. “He mentioned he knows you.”
“He doesn’t know me,” I bite back, harder than I intended.
Noah lifts his hand and runs it through his blond hair. “Okay. Well, I just wanted to say, if you’re doing a story on him—”
“What?”
“If you are, just be careful.”
“Do you think I’m ever not careful?” I place my hand on my hip and scowl.
“I know you are an independent woman and don’t need a man’s help. But, Cressida, I still care about you and never want anything to happen to you.”
“Thanks, but I’ll be fine. I always am.” I smile, and he gives me a disbelieving look in return. I don’t mention the small threat that Soren made because I’m always careful when it comes to Oliver, but I can’t lie and say it didn’t shake me up a little bit.
Our marriage was over years before we got divorced. We knew it was never going to work, but we tried to stay together for Oliver. Doing the right thing for our son is the one thing we will always agree on.
We change the subject, and he tells me about Oliver’s day before he says he has to go. I stand on the stoop, watching him leave for a few minutes before I finally head inside.
I’ve been single for two years now, and I haven’t really moved on. A part of me is scared to because I don’t want to bring strange men around my son. He already has a great father, so I don’t want or need someone stepping in when it’s not necessary.
When I step back into the kitchen, I find Oliver already cleaning up after dinner.
He’s a perfect mix of Noah and me. He has Noah’s eyes but my almost-black hair.
He also has the kind of smile that makes my heart happy whenever I see him.
If I’m having a bad day, I picture his bright grin, and it instantly improves.
I approach and wrap my arms around his small body. He’s getting bigger and bigger every day, it seems. I can’t get over the fact that I’m raising a little man, and he’s going to be amazing. He has excellent manners and does well in school. I didn’t realize how lucky I could be until I had him.
While Oliver is used to being around Noah’s side of the family, he’s not as familiar with my side.
We try to make it out to see my family at least once a year, but we haven’t visited them in more than a year because I’ve been so busy with work, and they live on the other side of the country and hate flying.
Noah’s family spoils Oliver because he’s their only grandson.
Noah is the oldest of his siblings and was the first to have a child.
It doesn’t help that he is also the favorite among his side of the family.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they leave everything to Oliver.
He does no wrong in their eyes, and a part of me loves that.
Loves that he has a connection with people who are always going to have his back.
A lot of people in this world don’t get that luxury.
“I missed you today, buddy.” I hold him a little tighter.
“I missed you too,” he says with a squeeze that is almost too big for his little arms.
“How was school?”
“Good. I got an A in math. Dad thinks I’ll be an amazing banker.” He laughs.
“Only if that’s what you want,” I tell him, knowing he’s always wanted to be a banker like his father.
“My teacher asked me how you are.”
I lean back and look down at him. “What do you mean?”
“He said he loves your writing and is sad he hasn’t seen anything from you in a while.”
I smile as I brush Oliver’s hair away from his face.
“Tell him I’m working on something big,” I reply, then kiss his cheek. “Now, bedtime.”
“Can I play Fortnite?” he begs.
“No. You know you’re only allowed to play that game on the weekends.” I shake my head at him.
“Okay,” he says, but it is tinged with disappointment.
I watch as he sulks off up the stairs to his room, then I check my phone and see an email from a name I know well.
Good afternoon, Miss Knight,
I have concluded that you won’t stop harassing me until you get what you want. So, I will give you the interview you have been requesting.
Under one condition…
From,
The Man You Stalk
The man I stalk. I let out a little laugh.
Well, I guess it’s partially true.