Chapter 40
Aria
Ishiver beneath the Captain’s gaze.
“Cold?” she asks, her tone unabashedly amused.
“N-no,” I grit out between clattering teeth. “I am merely unaccustomed to bathing in the n-night winds on the open s-sea.”
“Aye, but you’ll get used to it, little one.”
“Viola,” I snap back immediately, hoping to disguise my blush at the endearment as the flush of indignation. “I will not be here long enough to get used to it. However, I refuse to rot in my own filth any longer. Please turn around so that I may bathe myself.”
“Or,” the Captain says, stepping close enough that I can see her eyes glimmer in the moonlight, “I could help you bathe and make sure you don’t freeze. We can’t have any harm coming to a single hair on that pretty little head, now can we, Viola?”
This time I know she sees the flush on my face in the bright moonlight. Her gaze turns predatory as she stalks towards me. I gasp—
A loud buzz startles me from my writing haze.
Lala: This is your warning. :)
I sigh, close my eyes, and start counting in my head.
One, two, three, four…
I make it up to twenty-nine before I hear several other phones buzz throughout the café. I open my eyes and glance over to where Cierra is working at the counter.
She is looking down at her phone, but she quickly looks up and locks eyes with me, a slightly maniacal grin on her face.
“Check literally any social media,” she calls over to me before turning to help the next customer with a little more pep in her step than normal.
I take a deep breath and pick a random social app. It doesn’t matter. I am getting messages on all platforms with links to the same article.
Lawyer or Liar? Jacob Beaumont Harasses Ex-Girlfriend Over Break-up
I smile at the headline and read through the article, far better thought out than the one from a few months ago, though no less sensational.
It hits all the major points, providing bits of evidence here and there, and paints Jacob exactly as he is: a narcissistic asshole who went scorched earth when his ego was bruised.
I look to the final sentence of the article.
We can only hope that Ms. Cunningham feels she can be at peace now that the truth is known.
I scroll over to my texts and send a quick one off to Lila.
Aria: Thanks, Lala. You’re the best. <3
Lala: I know *kiss*
I chuckle briefly, send a link to the article over to Lucy, then turn off my phone. I’m not giving any interviews or responding publicly, so I might as well protect my peace and keep writing.
***
The next week is filled with more articles popping up every day.
Local Attorney Removed from Partner Status Pending Internal Investigation!
Jacob Beaumont, Attorney, Fired Due to Backlash After Revenge Porn Scandal!
Mr. Beaumont Declines Comment After Settling Civil Suit with Ex-Girlfriend Over Harassment Claims!
That was a stroke of genius on Deja’s part.
Let him get to the point where he’s panicking then send in the settlement offer.
He agreed quite quickly, and I will be receiving twenty-five thousand dollars in damages.
Is it a little much? Maybe. But not when an amazing lawyer has your back.
Her and I went out for a drink last night to celebrate.
“Oh, another one?” Lucy plops down on the couch next to me and snuggles into my side, peering over at my phone screen. She laughs in delight at the headline before kissing my cheek and turning some movie on in the background.
I am just going to set down my phone to pick up the green and brown blanket I am finishing in Mama Betty’s stead when a new ding stops me. I look down and see a text from my sister.
Lala: This wasn’t my doing, but enjoy anyway ;)
I click on the link she sent me and it’s a video that someone filmed on their cell phone.
Two police officers are leading Jacob away in handcuffs.
His once perfect hair is now greasy and unkempt, his clothes are crumpled and creased, and the bags under his eyes from a week of sleepless nights shows on his face.
I look to the caption for more context. All it says is “sound up.”
I turn the sound up and listen carefully to the cops as they arrest Jacob for drunk driving. I clap a hand over my mouth to keep a laugh from escaping. It’s not funny. He could have hurt someone, but—
“Another one?” Lucy asks incredulously and looks over. Her hand goes to cover her mouth as well before she meets my gaze. That is, apparently, the last straw as we both break down into a fit of giggles.
“It’s not funny,” she gasps out between fits of laughter.
“It’s really, really not,” I agree, fighting to get my own face back under control.
“But it is a bit satisfying,” Lucy muses, finally back to her normal state. “And honestly…is it weird that I find it kind of hot that karma’s on it?”
“Not at all,” I say sincerely, because I can feel my own heartbeat starting to pulse faster.
As Lucy pulls me down into a messy kiss, I can’t stop the smirk that steals over my face.
Karma is one hot bitch.