29. Gavin
Gavin
Aknock at my office door pulls my focus from my computer screen. Dani stands there, a little more composed than the last time I saw her.
“I’m guessing lunch went well?”
“It was… interesting,” she replies, a small smile tugging at her lips.
I swivel my chair fully to face her. “What does that mean?”
She steps farther into the office and sinks into one of the guest chairs. “Pretty sure Alexa now has a hit out on Sam.”
“How much did you tell her?”
“Everything.”
I raise my eyebrows. I knew they were best friends, but I wasn’t sure Dani was ready to spill everything about the tape. “And… how are you feeling?”
She chuckles, more confident than I expected. “It’s going to be okay.”
Agent Russo texted Dani late last night—the FBI finished going through the apartment.
He couldn’t say what they found, but hopefully it was enough to build a case against Sam once he’s back in town in a few weeks.
Dani also decided to tell them about the tape.
She knows how difficult revenge porn cases are to prosecute, but if there’s a lead, maybe something can be done.
For all she knows, they might have already found it in the apartment.
The thought that it could have been under her own roof all along makes my stomach twist.
“I’m so proud of you. You are the strongest person I know. If we weren’t at work right now, I’d kiss you.”
She laughs, shaking her head. “Like that’s ever stopped you.”
“Yeah, well… now we have extra eyes on us. Gotta be on our best behavior.”
She rolls her eyes.
“So, I know I’m going to regret asking this,” I hesitate. “But did Alexa mention what went down with her and Emmett?”
She grins. “Oh boy did she.”
I cover my face with both my hands. “I’m going to need so much therapy, aren’t I?”
She starts to relay the story to me when there’s a knock on my door. Saved by the bell.
“Yes?” I call.
“Sorry to interrupt,” our receptionist Rina says. “Dani, you have a visitor, and Alexa mentioned you were in here.”
“Who is it?” Dani asks.
“He said his name’s Emmett?”
Dani turns to me. “Why would he ask for me?”
“Because my brother is a creator of chaos. Let’s go see what the little shit wants.”
We both get up and make our way to the lobby, but there’s no one there.
“Oh, he asked to meet him in the parking lot,” Rina says, taking a seat behind her computer.
Dani shakes her head with a chuckle. “What the hell is your brother up to?”
I’m not sure, but something doesn’t feel right. Every hair on the back of my neck is standing up. I take Dani’s hand as we move toward the parking lot, but I still don’t see Emmett.
“Emmett?” Dani calls out.
A dark figure steps out from behind a car and my stomach drops. That’s definitely not my brother.
“Nope,” the man says, smirking. “I figured you wouldn’t come out if you knew it was me. And luckily, you have a new receptionist who never met me before I left, so she couldn’t ruin the surprise.”
Dani’s grip tightens around my hand. “Sam,” she chokes out.
“Hey, honey. I’m home,” he singsongs.
I step in front of Dani. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“This doesn’t concern you, Baker,” Sam hisses. “I’m here to see my girl after being gone so long.”
Dani steps out from behind me. “Did you forget the last two phone calls we had? It’s over, Sam. We’re not together anymore. And even if I hadn’t ended it then, it would absolutely be over now, after I learned about your… extracurriculars.”
Sam takes a step closer, and my chest tightens. “I don’t know what kind of lies he’s been feeding you, honey,” he says, eyes darting to me. “But don’t you remember what I told you before I left? You can’t trust anything he says.”
I tighten my jaw, my hand instinctively curling into a fist. Dani’s next to me, shaking slightly, and I can feel the tension coming off her.
“But I can trust a gun for hire for Tate?” Dani spits.
That’s my girl.
Sam’s face drops. “You've been talking to the cops? What happened to you being a journalist who would never give up her sources?”
“Well, when the FBI showed up with pretty damning evidence against you, I gave them free range of our apartment. I didn’t have to hand over a single piece of research, or my source. You dug your own hole.”
“So that’s why it was such a mess when I stopped by first to get this.” He’s holding up a flash drive like it’s a trophy.
Dani’s eyes go wide.
“And judging by that look…” Sam sneers. “You know exactly what it is.”
“How the hell didn’t the FBI find that if it was in your apartment?” I demand, anger bubbling in my chest.
“Because I’m just that fucking good.” He never takes his attention off Dani.
“You know, I really did come here to convince you to take me back. Remind you how incredible we are together. And if that didn’t work?
Well, I’d fuck with your head again—planting doubts about Baker until you were so confused you’d have no choice but to run back to me.
And if even that didn’t work…” He spins the flash drive between his fingers.
“Blackmail. You come back home with me, only me… or this video goes public. For the whole world to see.”
Dani hunches over. Then, a sharp, incredulous laugh escapes her. “Are you absolutely insane? I-I legit think we need to get you evaluated.”
“Oh, I’m completely serious,” Sam says. “I’ve been enjoying this video for ten years. Might as well let others too. You really are very talented. Those noises you make… they’ve gotten me through some long training nights.”
“You’ve been watching it, you sick fuck?” I yell.
“Well, duh.” He shrugs. “It’s not like I got much of the real thing from her.”
Can I please punch him now?
Dani steps away from me, closing the distance between her and Sam.
“So let me get this straight,” she snaps.
“You illegally recorded Gavin and me having sex ten years ago, threatened him with posting it online if he didn’t break up with me, and now you’re threatening me with posting it online if I don’t get back together with you? ”
“I never said you were dumb, Dani,” he says with a sly grin, clearly enjoying this.
“How did Tate convince you to work for him?”
“The cash,” Sam says, as if it’s no big deal. “It was a lot of money. Couldn’t say no. Plus, he promised me I could stay here with you. Easy choice.”
“No,” Dani spits. “You don’t get to blame this on me.”
I step forward instinctively, but she holds up her hand, stopping me.
“You did all of this for you, Sam,” she says, turning back to him. “Making the video, working for Tate, everything. You did it because you’re selfish and wanted something you couldn’t have. I just wish I’d seen who you really were sooner.”
Then, without hesitation, she steps back to my side, intertwining her fingers with mine.
Sam glances down at our joined hands, his smug expression faltering for just a moment, before he lifts his head and sneers. “Sounds like you’ve made your choice, then.” He turns to leave. “I’m really going to enjoy making bank off your pussy.”
I launch forward, ready to chase him, but Dani’s hands clamp over my arm, holding me back. “Gavin, don’t. Trust me.”
“Dani! You can’t be okay with this?” I growl, tension coursing through every ounce of me.
“Give it a minute,” she pleads. The trust we’ve built over the last several months eases the tight knot sitting in my chest—just enough to let reason take over before I do something I’ll regret.
That’s when I hear sirens in the distance, the sound growing louder and louder.
Police cars and unmarked vehicles skid into the lot, lights flashing red and blue, as they surround Sam before he even has a chance to move any farther.
“What the hell?” he yells, panic finally cracking on his face.
Dani steps forward, pulling her phone from her jacket pocket, her fingers steady as she holds it up. On the screen is a connected call with Agent Russo. “Like you said Sam—I’m not dumb,” she says calmly.
Sam’s jaw clenches.
My chest tightens with pride. This woman is incredible. I pull her into a fierce, quick kiss. “Whoever calls you that has to deal with me,” I whisper. “Damn, I love you.”
The commotion draws a crowd from inside the building. People start spilling out, staring and pointing.
I immediately go into work mode. “Someone get Alexa! Find Phil in the photographer room! Tell him to grab his gear. Now!”
People scatter, calling out Alexa’s name.
My eyes dart to Dani. She’s already filming Sam’s arrest on her phone, her grin growing wider with every second.
Relief washes over me seeing that man finally in cuffs after ten long years.
It’s been a decade of anger… and now, justice is finally here.
I can see the tension in Dani’s shoulders relax just a fraction, and my chest lightens even more.
Alexa and Phil burst from the building, camera at the ready. Phil takes over recording, capturing every second, while I walk with Dani over to Agent Russo, keeping her close.
“Smart idea calling me like that.” He nods.
“Thanks for coming,” she sighs, finally letting a little of the tension drain from her body. “For a minute there, I thought you wouldn’t.”
“Sorry about that. Traffic.” He shrugs, though a small smirk plays at his lips.
I snort. “Really?”
He grins. “Eh, whatcha gonna do?”
Dani just shakes her head at us. “I’m still trying to figure out how he’s back. He’s not due stateside for another month.”
“Apparently, his orders changed a few weeks ago,” Agent Russo says. “His whole unit got back last night. By the time we found out, you were calling us. Gotta love the government for its communication.”
I glance back at Sam. His eyes dart between Dani and me before he’s shoved into one of the vehicles. He’s cursing, spitting threats from inside the car—but it’s useless.
“So, what happens now?” I ask, wrapping my arm around Dani’s waist.
“He’s going to be charged with multiple felonies,” Agent Russo says. “He may try to plea down by offering information on Tate, and I won’t lie, the prosecutor may take him up on it at this point.”
“What about the revenge porn?” Dani sounds exhausted.
“I’m not going to lie to you—that may be a wash,” Agent Russo admits. “I really wish I could say otherwise, but if it’s between that and getting information that will bring Tate down, you know which way they’ll go. Plus, there may be a statute of limitations issue.”
I squeeze Dani’s waist. I’d been afraid of that.
“Well,” she says, taking a deep breath, “we really appreciate all your help, Agent Russo.” She holds out her hand.
He shakes it firmly. “Thank you both. And especially you, Dani.”
“I’m glad I could help.” A small, determined smile tugs at her lips. Then her expression shifts. “Now, about that deal we made.” She signals Alexa and Phil over, already slipping back into work mode.