Chapter 14 #2
“She’s gonna be busy from the second she gets back to her place until I force her to sit and take a breath later tonight,” Craig told his friends.
“Not one to sit still, huh?” Trigger asked.
“Not at all,” Craig answered for her.
“Any chance you can find time to stop over and see Riley?” Oz asked.
“Why, is she okay?” Ember asked in concern. She’d just met the other woman, but she liked her immensely.
“Yeah, but I think she’s overwhelmed with being a new mom, and with Logan and Bria being home for the summer,” Oz said. “We’ve got meetings all day, so I’m not going to be able to get home to give her a break today.”
“Of course,” Ember said immediately. She would move some of her meetings around so she could visit Riley.
“Why didn’t you say something earlier?” Brain asked. “I can have Aspen go over with Chance too.”
“Gillian’s got a big meeting with a potential new client today, but I’m sure she could stop by later.”
“I appreciate it, guys,” Oz said. “And I know the other women would drop everything and go over there, but Riley doesn’t like to impose.”
“It’s not an imposition,” Lefty said with a shake of his head.
“Those women are closer than ever. I’ll talk to Kinley.
I’m sure she’d be happy to figure out a rotating schedule for them to visit and help out…
and they’ll make it seem spontaneous, just in case Riley gets it in her head to be stubborn about it. ”
Ember was so thankful she’d somehow fallen into this group of friends, she couldn’t even describe how good it made her feel.
“I’ll swing by after the fencing épées and outfits arrive.
The guy I bought them from was nice enough to offer to drop them off.
I can have Julio oversee the contractor who’s visiting today, to start work on the locker rooms I want her to remodel, and Marie can meet with the landscaper.
That’ll give me an hour and a half to visit with Riley. Is that okay?”
“It’s awesome, thank you,” Oz said, the relief easy to hear in his voice.
Craig leaned over and kissed her temple before standing. “As fun as this all is, Ember’s got a meeting in an hour and she needs to get home and shower before heading over to The Modern Kid to get to work.”
Everyone stood and headed out of the weight room. Ember made sure to thank each of them on their way out, then she and Craig made their way to his Durango. He held the door open for her and closed it once she was settled. He drove her back to her apartment and walked her to her door.
“Are you coming in?” she asked.
“I want to,” he admitted softly. “I want to lick your pussy until you come on my tongue, then fuck you hard and fast.”
Ember felt herself get wet immediately at his words.
“But you have less than an hour to get to work, and I know if I come in we’ll both be late.”
It sucked, but he was right.
Craig slowly brought a hand to her nape and pulled her toward him. Ember went eagerly. He kissed her long and slow, until she thought she was going to combust.
He finally pulled back, keeping her close. “I don’t know if anything will come out of our looking into those creeps commenting on your posts, but be extra vigilant, okay?”
“I will.”
“Because we don’t know who these assholes are, or even where they are, I’d appreciate it if you can avoid going anywhere by yourself for a while.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“I’m not trying to be a controlling asshole boyfriend here,” he told her. “I love you and can’t stand the thought of anyone threatening you. And make no mistake, those comments on your posts are threats.”
“I know. I hate thinking about someone out there wanting to seriously hurt me. But if it continues or gets worse, I’m not opposed to deleting my accounts altogether.
Yes, I want to do good things for the world and share things like Sierra’s picture to try to help, but if people hate me so much that they literally want to see me dead… it’s not worth it.”
Craig took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment, as if her words had touched him in some way.
“Craig?”
“That makes me feel better,” he told her.
“But I don’t think we need to go to that extreme yet.
Let your mom look through the mail you’ve received on her end, and Trigger will continue looking into the comments on this end.
Beth, a woman Brain contacted, will get back with him about IP addresses and locations, and we’ll see if we have anything to worry about.
If we do, we’ll deal with it. Go to the cops and maybe the FBI, since they’re threats on the internet.
If it turns out to be a bunch of prepubescent boys thinking they’re the shit, or jealous women, we’ll figure out how to deal with that too. ”
“Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. Just stay aware.”
“I will.”
“Okay, I’m really leaving now. If I don’t, I won’t be able to.”
“Love you,” Ember said shyly. The words felt right, but still a little weird so early in their relationship.
“I love you too. I’ll see you tonight when you get home. You coming to my place or am I coming here?”
Ember loved that it wasn’t even a question of whether they’d see each other, only which home they’d be at. “I’ll come to you.”
“Sounds good. Later.”
“Later.”
Ember watched until Craig was out of sight, then closed her door with a sigh.
Craig had helped her put on a deadbolt, and after she’d locked herself in safely, she headed to the shower.
It was going to be another long day, but she was excited to get started.
The minor gym renovations would continue, she’d discuss with Julio and Marie what they wanted to do with the first group of kids tomorrow, and she’d get to see Riley.
Making time for both friends and hard work…
it seemed like such a little thing, but Ember was happier than she’d ever been in her life.
Alex glowered, watching Ember Maxwell as she flitted around the gym.
It was infuriating, seeing her so carefree and happy.
How could she even show her face in public after failing so spectacularly at the Olympics?
She was a disgrace! And thinking she should start a gym to train kids in the pentathlon? What a joke!
Ember was the last person who should be coaching others. She’d had her chance, and she’d blown it. This fucking farce couldn’t continue.
It was up to Alex to end it once and for all.
To wipe that simpering smile off Ember’s smug face.
She should’ve paid more attention. Should’ve acknowledged all those gifts she’d received. Should’ve thanked those around her who’d gotten her to the top. Instead, she’d used her looks and her money and had taken advantage of everyone. And for what? To be a big fat loser.
It was time. Time to stop her from conning people into thinking she was something special. And Alex knew just how to do it. Ending Ember couldn’t happen today—but it would happen. She’d learn how it felt to be helpless. To be discarded as if she meant nothing. To be at someone else’s mercy.
Then, and only then, would Alex feel vindicated.
Alex had been careful not to leave clues or give Ember any warning of what was coming. Doing so would be colossally stupid. It would make Ember’s new boyfriend even more watchful…
That was another thing that pissed off Alex; it wasn’t fair that Ember was so damn content.
She should be worried about this ridiculous business venture, but instead here she was, smiling and looking happier than ever, with some asshole treating her like a frickin’ princess!
The last thing Alex needed was more eyes looking after the precious Ember Maxwell. Her boyfriend could ruin everything.
No—the plan would work. Alex just needed to be patient. A couple more days and Ember would be no more.
A genuine smile blossomed across Alex’s face. Ember’s fate was sealed. Soon she’d be dead, no longer able to take advantage of others. Alex couldn’t wait.