CHAPTER NINE #2
“Girl, you are horrible. Now, back to the matter at hand. I’m going to make some calls. You call your people and bring Hanna when you come to the stadium. I know it will be early, but we want her safe. She can hang out with me ‘til the match starts.” We both agree and hang up.
Hanna looks at me, and I see her gather her strength. She takes a sip of coffee. She raises an eyebrow as she looks at me. “You know who you need to call?” I feel like this is a test of which names I remember.
“Well, my gut says your parents, but I think that needs to be after we call Logan. He’s one of your club’s techy guys, isn’t he?” Hanna nods.
“Yeah, he is, and he can get Juan and Samson to help him if he needs it. I would bet what’s left of my vision that Logan, Asher, Mayson, and probably Dad and Pops will all want to come down and make sure everything is as secure and safe as it can be.
Will Miss Matson have a problem with us putting up more cameras? ”
I scoff. “Baby, really? Miss Matson absolutely loves you. She would beat my ass if I didn’t do everything I needed to in order to keep you safe.
You’ve found yourself a new grandma in her.
She keeps your favorite tea, makes your favorite cookies all the time, and has a jar of biscuits for Tucker.
I think we’re good on that front. Now let’s make those calls.
Since you and Tucker are coming with me earlier than normal, that means we should pack our overnight bags too so we can just leave for your parents’ straight from the stadium.
” A cold nose bumps my knee and pushes between me and Hanna.
I look down and he’s rubbing on her. I think he’s more than a seeing-eye dog.
He’s so in tune with her in just this short time.
Hanna
The second half of the match is about to start in a couple of minutes.
We’re leading by two tries, and the other team has looked sloppy all match.
Tucker is asleep at my feet. It’s been lightly raining most of the match, but I’m living high today.
Watching the game from Ethan’s box, I’ve stayed dry, and he’s got the game on a big monitor, so I’ve kept up easily.
Dad and Pops were ready to drive down and pick me up this morning, but between Mom and me, we were able to convince them I would be safe since I was going to the stadium with Cade and wouldn’t be alone.
Then we’d be coming up their way as soon as Cade could leave.
One of the first questions Dad asked was if we’d called Logan to look into it.
When Cade told him he already had and that Ethan had the Norse Rebels tech guy looking into it too, I think he and Pops calmed down a little.
My phone dings with an incoming text. I’m thankful, even though my vision is getting worse, I can still read up close, so I don’t have to switch to text-to-speech out in public just yet. I use it at home because it’s just easier half the time to listen to, but I like that I can still read it.
Mom: Are you really okay, or are you freaking out?
Me: I freaked out at first, but I know Cade will do everything in his power to keep me safe.
He’s got help from both our family and Ethan’s connections.
Besides, I have a feeling I won’t be home alone for a bit.
Tucker’s also good protection. He alerted and sniffed all over the package before he stepped back to let Cade take it.
Mom: I’m gonna have to make two steak dinners at this rate. Cade for knowing who to call and how to make things safer for you, and to Tucker for being so good for you.
Me: Tucker and Cade both have special diets they’re supposed to be on, though Cade’s magically disappears when your cooking is involved.
Mom: It’s because he’s a smart one. He’s gonna become one of my two favorite sons-in-law.
Me: He’s gonna only be the second one you have!
Mom: That’s beside the point, child. I’ll work on calming your dad and pops since you really do seem okay.
Me: I really am. I just wish I knew who’s doing this.
Mom: Well, let’s do some deducing, shall we? We can’t let Logan and the guys have all the fun.
Me: What are you thinking?
Mom: Well, for starters, do you think a woman or a man wrote this most recent letter, and did it sound like the other notes Cade’s gotten? What is your gut telling you?
Me: A woman definitely wrote this last one. For one, when a guy is angry as the person was in the letter, they would use the word cunt. Secondly, they want me gone and out of the way so Cade could be with them. I didn’t get the feeling that was coming from another guy or anything like that.
Mom: Do you think it was one of the bitches that we dealt with at that match? The one who claimed to be in his bed?
Me: I don’t know. She claimed it, but I don’t know if she’s actually smart enough to pull it off. I haven’t seen any of them, but only one of the two who used to work for the team is still employed. That Zack guy hasn’t been seen with the one he was dating since right after that all happened.
Mom: Well, think on it. Maybe ask about the one who’s still working there. We’re gonna figure this shit out because we have a wedding to plan and you need to be safe in your own damn home.
Me: Yep. I’ll ask Ethan. See you tonight. Love you.
Mom: To the moon and the stars.
I look over and Ethan’s typing away on his laptop. He sighs and looks up at me. “What is going through that brain of yours? You get this look on your face, and I’ll be honest, it scares me just a little bit.”
I roll my eyes because I swear he just sounded like one of my brothers. “I was just wondering if anyone has seen hide or hair of those four jersey chasers since you banned them from the WAGS section.” Ethan leans back and crosses his arms.
“Well, I haven’t seen Carol since I let her go, and I haven’t seen the one Harrison was schtuping since the day I told him she wasn’t welcome around here.
One of the guys said he broke things off with her, that she was more trouble than she was worth.
That might be the first smart thing he’s done since…
back on track. I haven’t seen that other one since that day.
Hell, I don't even know her name. Cindy was moved to a position out of the locker room, but I was told she quit after the first week. I know she hasn’t clocked in since then. ”
“That doesn’t rule any of them out, but then again, would they really take the time to send all the stuff and sneak into our place? I’m gonna have Logan look into them.”
A loud cheer from the crowd gets me out of my head and back into the second half of the match. I watch as the scrum moves and the ball comes out with Zane taking control of it. Play moves so quickly, it’s crazy when you think about how big these guys are.
Cade told me that Butte isn’t in contention for the playoff tournament this year, but that doesn’t mean they won’t play rough. In fact, they’re the team with the most penalties in the Union.
Watching men play in the mud and slamming into each other is like testosterone overload, and I’m not ashamed to admit I think it’s the most interesting sport to watch. Yes, the fact that my husband plays it is a big bonus, but so are all the thick thighs.