Chapter 14
The following day was as busy as any Ember had ever had back in California while training for the Olympics.
Monday morning, she’d gone running with Craig and his team and enjoyed it so much, she’d made plans to go to PT with him on Tuesday and Wednesday as well.
She shouldn’t have been surprised at how hard the Deltas worked out, but she still was.
Their workout kicked her butt, but she felt energized afterward, and working out for fun instead of because it was expected or required was exhilarating.
Monday night, after Ember’s busy day of appointments, Craig had come over to her apartment and taught her how to make chicken parmigiana.
They’d laughed and talked about their days.
Ember had set up a meeting with the woman who owned the land she was eyeing for running and shooting training.
They’d agreed to meet on Thursday afternoon, after Julio and Marie moved into their new apartments.
They weren’t supposed to be able to get in until Friday, but the apartments would be ready a day early.
She wanted her colleagues’ opinions on the land, so they’d go with her to the meeting after getting their apartment keys.
She’d also met with the Boys and Girls Club director and had arranged for her first class to meet on Wednesday.
She was both excited and nervous as hell, but definitely ready to get things up and running.
There were only four boys and two girls coming on Wednesday, but that was fine.
It was a start. And if those kids had fun, Ember hoped it would get the ball rolling and word would get out about how awesome The Modern Kid was.
Craig stayed over at her apartment on Monday night. They’d made slow and sweet love, which had been as different from their first time as night and day. Ember couldn’t decide which she liked better. Both were equally delicious.
Tuesday morning, she got up early and once again went with Craig to PT.
They started with lifting weights, then did short sprints until Ember thought her heart was going to beat out of her chest. She attempted to do a sprint with one of their packs on her back and quickly realized it was too much.
Her respect rose for the men even more. She was proud to know them.
After the workout, while they were sitting around talking about nothing in particular, Trigger brought up the topic of the threatening messages she’d received on her social media posts.
“I talked to your parents yesterday,” Trigger said.
Ember’s eyes widened, and she knew she probably looked like one of those cartoon characters whose eyes bugged out comically. “What?”
“I talked to your parents yesterday,” he repeated calmly.
“Wow. Okay. How did that go?”
“They were leery at first. Your mom sounded kind of bitter. But when I explained that we were investigating some pretty serious threats made toward you on social media, she calmed down and said she’d do whatever she could to help.
They love you, Ember. I know things have been tense between you guys, but the second they heard you might be in danger, they bent over backward trying to get us the information we wanted. ”
“I know. I love them too. I think things will get better in time. They need to come to terms with the fact that the pentathlon isn’t my dream anymore. Did you find anything out?” she asked.
“I found out I never want to be fucking famous,” Trigger muttered in disgust. Then went on, “I asked them if there had ever been a pattern of you receiving gifts or threats from the same person. Neither knew off the tops of their heads, because they’d hired someone to deal with your mail.”
“I sometimes sifted through it,” Ember told him.
“That’s what your mom said. Did anything ever stick out?” Trigger asked.
Ember felt Craig shift a little closer. His thigh touched hers as they sat on the weight-lifting bench. She liked having his support. Liked that he didn’t butt in and try to take over the conversation.
“Well, I got letters all the time from one person in particular. I think the guy’s name is Pat, and he was always sending me nice stuff. I mean, I think it was a guy. I suppose Pat could be short for Patricia…but anyway, he or she was always writing and being supportive.”
“Anyone else?” Brain asked.
Ember closed her eyes and tried to think back to the last few months. “I got a few gifts just before the Olympics. Some person sent homemade cards, an embroidered blanket, and a US Flag cross-stitched with my name under it. It was all very sweet stuff. I get those kinds of things fairly often.”
“Do you write your fans back?” Oz asked.
Ember shook her head. “No. They get pre-signed pictures and things, but they’re never personalized.”
“That might’ve angered a fan. If they were seeking some sort of recognition for their gifts and didn’t get it,” Lucky said.
“What about the nasty letters?” Grover asked. “I’m assuming you get those too.”
“Yeah,” Ember agreed. “But I didn’t pay much attention to those. When I start reading and realize they’re mean, I stop and put them aside.”
“Her mom said they had stacks of mail that were piling up from after the Olympics. Said she’d go through them and see if there were a lot from the same person, or any that stuck out as being particularly threatening,” Trigger said.
“Should we see if we can get one of the California SEAL teams to look into it?” Craig asked. “We all know Rocco and his crew—or Wolf and his—would be glad to drive up to Beverly Hills and take a day to look through the mail.”
Ember glanced at Craig. She didn’t know the people he was talking about, but she had no doubt if he trusted them, then they’d be able to ferret out anyone who was a real threat.
“I think we should wait for Ember’s mom to see what she can come up with. She knows this is serious, especially after she looked at some of the comments on social media herself,” Trigger said.
“Ember, do you remember the name of the person who sent those most recent gifts?” Brain asked.
“Um…now that you mention…I think his name was Alex,” Ember said softly.
“The same name as the person leaving the threatening comments on your Insta,” Brain said as he looked down at his phone.
“Alex is a common name,” Oz noted. “Might not be the same person.”
“Or maybe it is, and he’s pissed that Ember didn’t acknowledge his gifts,” Brain countered.
“We need to find out the postmark, and if there was a return address or last name associated with the gifts,” Lucky said.
“I’m on it,” Trigger said. “I’m supposed to talk to Deborah this afternoon.”
“You’re on a first-name basis with my mom?” Ember asked, honestly shocked. She usually preferred to be called Mrs. Maxwell by people she didn’t know.
Trigger grinned. “Yup. And with Cedric too.”
“Holy shit. Dad let you call him by his first name as well? I’m living in a parallel universe,” Ember said with a shake of her head.
“I have to admit, I wasn’t very impressed with them after the Olympics,” Trigger said. “But now that they understand we have your best interests and safety at heart, they’ve changed their tune.”
Ember looked around the room at the men surrounding her.
“Why are you guys taking this to heart as much as you are? I’ve always had people who hate me, and always will.
It kind of comes with the territory of being a social media influencer.
I’m not saying I like it, but I take it with a grain of salt.
Why are you so worked up over a few comments?
Especially when the number of people named Alex in this world has to be astronomical. ”
“Calling you offensive names and saying they wished you were dead isn’t normal. It’s fucking crazy,” Lucky said.
“And that guy saying he hoped someone kidnapped and tortured you? That’s a direct threat,” Brain agreed.
Lefty leaned forward. “No one threatens someone we love. No one. We know firsthand how shitty life can be and if we can keep that from touching those around us, we will.”
Ember swallowed hard as emotion threatened to overwhelm her. She knew what Lefty’s wife, Kinley, had been through. She nodded.
“After all that’s happened to our loved ones, we aren’t going to let this spiral out of control. If we can nip it in the bud now, that’s what we’re gonna do,” Craig said.
“Well, I appreciate it. But I can’t live my life always looking over my shoulder. It would make me paranoid, and I’d probably hole up in my apartment and never come out,” she told them honestly.
“That’s what we’re for,” Grover reassured her. “To have your back, so you don’t have to constantly look over your shoulder.”
“Thank you. Seriously. I mean that,” Ember told them.
“You’re welcome. In the meantime, be smart,” Brain told her.
“Tell Doc where you’re going and when you think you’ll be done.
If you go anywhere by yourself, it’s probably best to wear a hat and try to be as inconspicuous as possible.
I’m not saying someone won’t recognize you, but there’s no sense in flaunting the fact that Ember Maxwell’s in the house… if you know what I mean.”
Ember nodded. “I do. And I’d already decided not to post any more selfies of me on my IG. There’s no need. It’s narcissistic anyway. I’d much rather be artsy, or share pictures of others than myself.”
The men all nodded. “Good. And you hired security for the gym?” Oz asked.
“Yes. They’re starting tomorrow. I want to make sure it’s a safe space for the kids.”
“And for you,” Craig added.
Ember shrugged. “Yeah. That too.”
“The security guys you hired know who you are?” Lefty asked.
“Yeah, they do.”
“Good. Maybe I’ll stop over tomorrow and have a chat with whoever’s working,” Craig said.
Ember wanted to roll her eyes at his overprotectiveness, but secretly she kind of liked it.
“What are your plans for today?” Brain asked.
Craig groaned, and Ember chuckled.