He sweeps his hand across the sheets until he finds it. Then he lifts the Post-it note, which is now slightly crumpled, and pats it back into place with a sated grin.
I love this man. Cum on his stomach and Team Luna on his damp chest.
“How do you feel?” he asks, his voice laced with emotion.
“Free.” That’s the word that comes to mind. Simple. Just that.
The camera is once again only a camera. My body is only a body. And Hollis Brown officially has nothing left of me.
Chapter Fifty
DK
The photos are still out there. No matter how hard I pound the punching bag at the gym, it isn’t enough to burn off the fury or the frustration.
I think of Luna… of last night. Beautiful, sexy, reclaiming herself. She never ceases to amaze me with her resilience. No matter how high the obstacle, she finds a way to clear it. She said she felt free of Hollis. Maybe that should be enough for me. But it’s not.
He’s still lording those photos over her. He’s still directing character attacks from behind his page. Every hour that passes is another hour he thinks he’s winning.
A town this size doesn’t have a sophisticated cyber unit. Catching Hollis is the only way to stop those photos from ever becoming public. The only way to make him pay for what he’s done—and what he’s still doing.
The only way to get justice for Luna.
Diablo and I go over one final round of debate prep for tonight. It’s expected that there will be questions about the photos. That’s my opening.
“We need to come out stronger on this,” I say.
“Stronger how?” he asks.
“This wasn’t just a crime against Rayne. It was a targeted attack against a candidate during an active election.”
“I’m aware of that, Dakarai. The police are investigating. I’ve directed the captain to make it a top priority.”
“Not enough.” I slide a folder across his desk. “These are three specialists who handle digital investigations, burner accounts, anonymous email chains, cloud storage, and metadata. People who know how to follow a trail.”
Diablo opens the folder.
I keep talking. “Each is highly qualified, understands the magnitude of the situation, and is available to work alongside our local police force. We’re not stepping on toes or bruising egos. You’re just providing expert resources. I spoke with Ash about the budget. He can reallocate non-essential funds without impacting critical initiatives.”
He flips through the printed profiles. “You’ve done your homework, as always.”
“Not for nothing, announcing your leadership on this before tonight’s debate doesn’t hurt. It shows voters you take election integrity and the right to privacy seriously.”
He closes the folder. “I’ll authorize the funds, and let Chief Murray know you’ll act as my liaison.”
“I appreciate your quick action.”
He nods, his expression hardening briefly. “I don’t care what side of the ballot Rayne is on. Somebody stole private photos and tried to use them against a woman running for office. I won’t stand for that.”
I believe him. I’m learning Diablo is a man who operates on principle. It makes withholding the truth about my relationship with his opponent more compromising.
But the alternative is a hell of a lot more volatile.
The three weeks following the debate are full throttle. Since the announcement of a cyber specialist, Diablo’s been climbing in the polls, shaving off some of the undecideds. But so is Luna.
She has the Women under fifty and the Gen Z bloc locked down. They’re fiercely loyal supporters. TheFemme Magazinespecial edition is scheduled to publish at the end of September, just weeks before the election, which could give her another boost.
In the meantime, our campaigns are operating within striking distance of each other. Diablo leads with forty-nine percent. Luna is on his heels at forty-six. Five percent remains up for grabs. A tight race, one I suspect will tighten even further.
