Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Luna
Friday night, while the guys are in the gym doing their fight night thing, Allora, Courtney, Bobbi, and I go into Temecula for dinner.
Since Courtney, Allora, and I are already so close, we’ve felt a bit guilty that we haven’t included the other wives in our girls’ nights, so we invited them this time.
Delilah is out of town and Lana had a client emergency, but Bobbi was available, so it’s just the four of us.
“I love my babies,” Courtney says as we order drinks. “But I really need some down time. The whole pumping and feeding and changing diapers thing is exhausting.”
“At least you have a man who helps,” Bobbi says. She’s a petite blonde with a shy smile and big blue eyes. “My first husband, before Ron, never did anything at all.”
Courtney grimaces. “I’m married to a literal prince, full-on royalty, and he does everything for the kids. His cousin, the king, also changed diapers and did all the things when Prince Levi was born.”
“I can’t imagine choosing a man who isn’t going to help you,” Allora says thoughtfully. “I’ve dated a lot of jerks, but I knew they weren’t going to be good partners. I guess that’s why it didn’t work out with any of those guys.”
“I think there’s something to be said for finding the right guy at the right time,” Bobbi says thoughtfully. “Ron and I knew each other in high school but that wasn’t the right time. When I ran into him in San Diego, after my divorce, everything fell into place.”
“Same with Daniil and me,” Courtney says. “He was always into me but I was scared. I mean, why would an honest-to-goodness prince want a regular girl like me?”
“That’s how I feel right now,” I admit quietly, toying with my drink. “Like, what does Rage see in me? He could have anyone.”
“There’s nothing wrong with you,” Allora says immediately.
“It’s not that there’s something wrong, it’s just…
” I fiddle with the glass some more. “Look, I’m not just a tall woman, I’m overweight.
By a lot. Add in my genius IQ and it can be too much.
Most men are intimidated by strong, tall women.
And I’d venture to say a majority of them are turned off by fat ones. ”
“That’s their loss,” Courtney says softly.
“Maybe,” I agree, “but that doesn’t make it hurt less when you get rejected.”
“But Rage didn’t reject you,” Allora says. “And you guys are legit dating, right? I think it’s pretty clear that he’s into you.”
“I’m slowly starting to believe that.”
“How long have you been dating?” Bobbi asks curiously.
“Like five minutes,” I say with a laugh.
“But you haven’t slept together yet?” Courtney asks.
“No, but there was an epic orgasm in the storeroom the other day.”
Bobbi’s eyes go wide and Allora snickers while Courtney just grimaces.
“Please don’t give anyone ideas,” she says. “People will be fucking all over headquarters.”
We all dissolve into giggles.
“I could think of worse things,” Bobbi says solemnly.
“We should start a pool for how long it’ll take Luna to get pregnant,” Allora teases.
“Well, I have PMOS so it might take a really long time,” I admit.
“It’s going to take even longer if you don’t actually start having sex,” Courtney points out.
“We’ve been taking our time, getting to know each other first, but believe me, it’s coming. We’re both off Sunday so he’s coming over for dinner and…dessert.” I wiggle my eyebrows playfully.
“That’s smart,” Allora agrees. “Both taking your time and spending time together. But he’s a great guy.”
“I’ve known him twenty years,” Courtney says, “and he’s an amazing human being. Honestly, I thought sure he would settle down before Landon. My brother was such a confirmed bachelor.”
“I think it was luck and forced proximity,” Allora says thoughtfully. “I don’t know that this thing between us would have happened without it.”
“Rage told me he’s had a crush on me for a long time,” I tell them. “And obviously, how could any single, red-blooded woman not have a crush on him?”
Bobbi laughs. “He’s definitely nice to look at. Even a boring old married woman like me can’t help but notice.”
“Have you talked about what happens if the relationship doesn’t work out but you get pregnant?” Courtney asks.
“We co-parent amicably. I know, it’s an oversimplification but that’s why we’ve been taking our time.
Well, until he attacked me in the storeroom the other day.
And he was all bossy about it, too.” I grin.
“He was all, take off your panties and give them to me right now!” I lower my voice and do what I hope is a fair representation of Rage.
Allora fans herself. “I love a hot, alpha man.”
“Same.” Courtney grins.
“Ron and I might be a little too vanilla,” Bobbi whispers, her cheeks turning pink.
“There’s nothing wrong with vanilla,” I say. “That’s why it’s the most popular flavor. You can create anything with a vanilla base, you know?”
That brings on another round of giggles, and it’s just the beginning. Bobbi fits in well with us, and we talk about anything and everything. Since Courtney is pumping breast milk, she doesn’t drink alcohol and is our designated driver, but the rest of us get a bit tipsy.
“I can’t remember the last time I had this much to drink.” Bobbi giggles. “But it feels good to let loose a little. I stay so busy with the kids, I can’t remember my last girls’ night out.”
“The plan is to do this once a month,” Courtney says. “We need time to ourselves.”
“I was wondering if you guys would be into doing a high tea next month?” Allora suggests. “There’s a new teahouse in Oceanside and they’re advertising it.”
“I’d love that!” I say enthusiastically.
“I’m in.” Bobbi nods.
“Me too,” Courtney adds.
“I’ll talk to Delilah and Lana,” Bobbi says. “Maybe they can join us.”
“That would be fun,” Allora says. “Besides, any excuse to dress up is a bonus!”
“I hope more of my clothes fit by then,” Courtney says. “I’ve taken off some of the pregnancy weight, but it feels like it’s coming off more slowly than last time.”
“Speaking of taking off weight,” I say thoughtfully. “What would you guys think about starting self-defense classes? I mentioned it to Rage and he said he’d be down to train us.”
“Landon and I have talked about that too,” Allora says, “but we’ve been busy and just haven’t pulled the trigger.”
“Then it’s time,” I say firmly.
“How about I talk to Dan about it?” Courtney suggests. “And we can find a time that works for everyone.”
“Perfect.”
Our checks arrive and we all put credit cards down, finishing our drinks and discussing how much fun it will be to start working out with the guys.
“It’ll be nice to get in shape,” Bobbi says. “It gets harder to stay fit as we age.”
“You can say that again,” Courtney says. “It’s only been two years since I had Micah and I can feel a difference in how my body is bouncing back.”
“You guys are scaring me,” I say, grimacing. “I already struggle with my weight. Pregnancy is going to be brutal.”
“Pregnancy is going to be amazing,” Allora corrects me warmly, reaching for my hand and squeezing it. “You and Rage are going to make really pretty babies.”
“Isn’t that what you said about me and Roger?” I ask, laughing.
“Yes, but I was just being polite with Roger. With Rage… I’m being one thousand percent honest!”
We’re all chuckling as the waiter approaches and bends over, so he’s speaking quietly in my ear.
“Ma’am, your card was declined.”
“What?” I glance up in confusion. I carry no credit card debt, paying the balance each month when the bill comes.
“I’m so sorry. I ran it twice. Would you like to try another card?”
“Uh, yes, please.” I hand him my debit card.
“Everything okay?” Courtney asks.
“I’m not sure. I’ll have to call Amex when I get home. I don’t carry a balance; I always pay it every month.”
“And it was declined?”
“Yeah.” I frown, trying to imagine what might be going on.
“Well, I can certainly pay for tonight, and you can pay me back whenever.”
“Thanks.” I tap my foot impatiently, getting nervous when the waiter returns with a weird look on his face.
“I’m so sorry, ma’am. This card was declined as well.”
“What?” I gape at him in confusion.
“Put it on mine,” Courtney says quickly, giving him her card again. “We’ll sort it out at home.”
“I don’t understand,” I protest, shaking my head. “I have plenty of money. We just got paid. I live well within my means.” Before anyone can say anything, I open my banking app and look at the balance.
Zero.
My account has zero fucking dollars.
Daniil pays us once a month, on the fifteenth, and after my health insurance contribution, the amount I put in my 401K, what he takes out that goes toward ownership of the business since I couldn’t give him a lump sum, and then the appropriate taxes and such, my paycheck is around ten thousand dollars.
Rent and utilities come out to under three thousand, and my car note is only five hundred.
Car insurance is minimal, and I don’t spend a lot for groceries because they feed us at the office at least three or four times a week, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
I always have money left over after I pay my bills, so this makes no sense at all.
I scroll the transactions and see two that make me blink. Both under ten thousand, so no red flags came up for the bank, but someone took my money in two installments. Transferred to a place I can’t trace on my phone.
But whoever it is, they just fucked with the wrong woman.
Because I will find and get my money back.
I wasn’t considered the best hacker in the world for nothing.
“Luna?” Courtney is watching me carefully.
“Someone took everything,” I say carefully.
“You were hacked?” Allora asks, wide-eyed.
“I was something,” I say. “But I’ll find out the details when I get home. They don’t know who they’re messing with.”
“I’ll let Daniil know,” Courtney says quickly. “He might be able to help.”
“Thank you for lending me the money,” I say, my tone laced with frustration.
“Not a problem.” Courtney stands up. “Let’s get out of here. I know you’re dying to get home to your laptop to figure out what’s going on.”
“You got that right,” I mumble.
I’m pissed off but more than that, I’m worried.
I’ve been in witness protection for five years.
So far, it’s been smooth sailing, but in the world of hackers, anything is possible.
And if someone found me online—someone from my past—this could be devastating.
I might even potentially have to leave Shadow Security because I wouldn’t want anyone in my new family to be impacted by the people who forced me into hiding in the first place.
This might be more terrifying than when I thought I might go to prison.
But this time I’m not alone.
I have a support system and I won’t hesitate to use it.