Chapter 35
Ansley woke the next morning with the idea that she wouldn’t allow some jerk to rule her life. She wouldn’t attack, but she wasn’t going to take this lying down.
She would find a lawyer who could help her with the defamation case, and she would contact Ryan and see what she could do with the fraud stuff. This prick wasn’t going to ruin her.
Link hadn’t left for work yet, and when she stepped into the kitchen, he pulled her into a kiss.
“Good morning, beautiful. You look more hopeful this morning.”
“I am. I’m going to contact a lawyer for the defamation stuff.”
"That's good. Maybe you can get a retraction on that podcast and get it taken down."
“I hope so. It will be something I can do. I’m going to talk to Ryan Lane and see if he can push through the fraud case with Pete. I want him behind bars.”
He kissed her forehead. “I have to go. I’m glad you’re fighting this.”
She nodded. “It’s weird, but I will get through this. I want you to have a good day. Are you doing a group workout this weekend?”
“Not this weekend. Next weekend we are.”
“Sounds good. I’ll set the alarm as soon as you go. I’m not going out today. I have three classes to teach, and I need to prepare for my interview in DC.”
He hugged her again before taking off. She set the alarm as he pulled out of the driveway and noticed a police car drive by. A shiver snaked through her. It was weird that the police had to patrol the area to look for someone who wanted to harm her.
Was Pete unhinged enough to try to kill her? Maybe. Were his new followers that unhinged? Probably.
The need to work out clawed its way up, making her feel itchy inside. But she wouldn't go for a run. It was too risky to be out in the neighborhood. Plus, Link would be so pissed if she went out there alone.
After finding a body weight workout on YouTube and doing it, she showered, then started searching for a lawyer. Her timer rang in the middle of searching, informing her she needed to prepare for class. The day was getting away from her, and she hadn't picked a lawyer yet.
Her classes went well, and she had just ended the last session when the doorbell rang. She jumped up, her heart racing. Panic made her movements jerky, and her phone flew from her hand.
She bent down to grab it as the person started banging on her door. Who the hell could that be?
Ansley moved so she could see the alarm panel, seeing that it was on. Then she remembered the cameras. She grabbed her phone and saw a text from Link saying that the person banging on the door was one of his neighbors and to ignore it. She texted back, asking why the neighbor was acting unhinged.
She pulled up the doorbell camera to see the neighbor walking away. The interruption from the neighbor had shaken her. Another text came through from Link.
I called the neighbor. They were wondering why the police kept driving past. They didn’t mean to scare you.
I’ll introduce you to him this evening. He’s older, and he has some issues from serving in the military.
I kind of trust him, but not fully, so don't go over there alone. He likes to make stuff up.
She read the message again, then shook her head and rolled her eyes. PTSD was a bitch, and she would give the guy space.
I won’t leave the house. I already did a bodyweight workout inside. I’m going to prepare for my interview in DC this afternoon, then I’ll probably read.
After sending the text, she headed into the kitchen and fixed a snack, then sat at the table and looked at the email she'd been sent about the interview.
She was taking the train to DC and would spend the night at a hotel, then return the next day after the interview.
She'd thought about flying, but the train would take about the same amount of time and be less stressful.
She ended up falling asleep as she was reading and woke to the sound of the alarm beeping like someone had opened the door.
Her heart rate increased, fear racing through her. Then Link called out.
“Hey, I’m home.”
She blew out a breath and then stretched. “I’m in the bedroom.”
Link stepped over to the door to the bedroom as he was pulling his shirt off. “Did you have a good afternoon?”
“I did. I ended up falling asleep. Just woke.”
“So the neighbor. He texted while I was driving. He wants to meet you.”
She ran her hand through her hair. "Okay. Let's go meet him after you put on different clothes." Link's gaze raked down her body, and she heated. It felt good to have his gaze on her. "Or we could put it off and do something fun."
“We could. But I—“ The doorbell rang and Link rolled his eyes. “That’s probably him. He must have seen me pull in.”
“So sex later. Let’s go meet him.”
Link grabbed a shirt and pulled it on. "No time like the present." The bell rang again, and Link called out, "Coming."
Ansley hoped this guy wouldn't be a problem. Link opened the door, and the neighbor didn't smile. Instead, he studied her with intensity.
“So you’re the woman who is being harassed. I’m Ken Walker.”
She wasn’t sure how to take this man. He certainly was direct. “Um, yes. But it will be okay.”
“Link didn’t tell me anything other than your name. I looked you up. That video is fake. Anyone can see it. I found the original story and video. You weren’t there. So this guy that is lying, he’s not in police custody.”
She was a little shocked that Ken had looked up information on her. “That’s correct. I wasn’t on the pier when Craig died. And no, Pete isn’t in custody.”
Ken nodded matter-of-factly. “I’m going to make sure the neighborhood watch people keep watch. If anyone is snooping around the neighborhood, we’ll call it in.”
“Thank you. That is great.” Ansley didn’t like that everyone in the neighborhood would know her business, but it would be much worse if Pete showed up here. At least someone would be watching out for her.
At first, Link planned to tell Ken he didn't need to do anything, but Ken said they would call it in to the police, not try to deal with Pete on his own.
“Thank you, Ken. We don’t know what this guy will try, but we think it’s best if the police handle it.”
“I agree. If you need anything, Ansley, give me a call. Link can give you my phone number. The neighborhood watch is serious here. We’re here to help.”
“Thank you.”
“Thank you, Ken. We appreciate it,” Link said.
“Sure. Stay safe and lock up. Even the windows. People leave those open by mistake all the time.”
Link nodded. “We’ll check. Thank you.”
Ken turned to leave. He was an odd man, but Link appreciated his desire to help. Having someone watch the house while he was gone was nice. He had the alarm, and that helped, but the neighborhood watch would help to keep Ansley safe.
After he closed the door, he turned the alarm on. They would know if anyone tried to enter the house. He didn't like feeling locked in, but to keep Ansley safe, he would keep the alarm on.
“So dinner. Let me help you get it going.”
Ansley smiled. “Thank you. We just need to cut some vegetables. The meat is ready to go into the pan.”
“Thank you for seasoning it earlier. I like this. I like having you here. Cooking dinner together, watching TV, spending time with you.”
Ansley grabbed his hand and kissed it. “I like it, too. I’ll miss you when I’m in DC.”
“I’m not looking forward to that, either. But you having this job will be a good thing.”
“I hope I get it.”
“I have faith in you. You’re smart.”
Ansley rolled her eyes and laughed. “You haven’t heard me doing translations. You don’t know if I’m any good.”
“You talked in your sleep, but it wasn’t English. I have a feeling that you’re good if you’re dreaming in other languages.”
Ansley snorted a laugh. “I guess I do sometimes dream in other languages. I don’t really notice it. The words are just there, inside my head.”
“That’s good. I think you’ll do well. And if you don’t get that job, I’m sure there will be other jobs available.”
He worried about her traveling to DC, but she was traveling in business class on the train, which only allowed business class passengers to enter the train car. She promised she wouldn't do touristy stuff, just the interview, and come back home.
“I like teaching, but I’d like more work. The State Department job would be good for me. But you’re right. If I don’t get it, it will be okay.”
“So you’re still good with leaving the military?”
She nodded. "I am. It's an adjustment, but good. If I were still in the Marines, there is no way I'd be here with you."
“That’s true.”
“I’d hate that.”
He pulled her to him, hugging her close. If she hadn’t left the Marines, she wouldn’t be here. They wouldn’t be planning a future. “So would I. I’m glad you’re here.”
“Same.”
She hugged him tighter, and he breathed her in. His life was better than it had been before she'd shown up. He would keep her safe, and he would cherish her. Their future would be good. He would make sure of it.