AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I wrapped my arm around her back and pulled her in against me. “The good news is that Aidan’s team is incredible. He has a hacker who is just about as good as this guy who has fixated on Willow.”
Chaos sniffed and opened her eyes to gaze at her family. “Poe is pretty amazing. She actually found out there is a whole forum of people who make money watching celebrities. I didn’t realize I was a watch list-level celebrity.”
“I don’t pretend to understand this internet celebrity stuff, but what does that mean for Wil?” Beckett came forward.
I didn’t want to confuse them with the dark web nor scare them unnecessarily. “At first, we just figured it was something we needed to monitor. She doesn’t have a regular job and that amount of attention requires ample security.”
“And I signed up for this when I put my face out there. I just didn’t think it would come to this. Or that someone would involve the orchard.”
“So, he has the address. What does that have to do with anything unlike any other idiot out there? We’ve dealt with annoying customers since we opened. It’s just part of owning a business.” Fred held on to the back of Laverne’s chair. “I even have a list of people that aren’t allowed on the property. Most of our customers are amazing, but there’s always a bad apple, pardon the pun.”
“I know, Uncle Fred. We were hoping that was all it was. Until someone broke into Happy Acres Cider.”
Beckett tipped back his baseball hat, mirroring Fred as they took in the information. “So, it wasn’t some random burglary.” It wasn’t even a question.
“No. He sent a photo to Willow with the distillery set up as if it was a date.”
“Jesus.” Christopher Manning shook his head. “What is wrong with people?”
“That’s not all of it, is it?” Clay’s jaw was tight.
“The guy came out from behind his keyboard yesterday. He tried to kidnap Chaos last night.”
“I thought you were staying with her to prevent that,” Clay shouted.
Rachel grabbed his arm, shaking him with surprising force. “Clay, don’t. He was. Ransom being right there with her is probably why the guy didn’t succeed.”
Clay reached up to cover her hand with his own on his arm. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
My chest tightened. “He’s right. I fucked up.” I glanced at the women. “Excuse my language.”
“He’s a fucking asshole,” Laverne said darkly.
That seemed to break some of the tension in the room.
Chaos took my hand in both of hers. “Ransom isn’t to blame. We had a fight, and I ran off to cool my head. I was just going to drive around until I didn’t want to hit him with a hammer anymore.”
“Thanks.”
She shrugged. “I really wasn’t leaving. I just…” She leaned her head on my upper arm for a moment. “We worked it out and then he told me he loved me.”
“Is that all it takes, cuz?” Justin quipped.
“Shut up. At least he knows how to hold onto a woman longer than twenty-four hours.”
“Burn,” Hayes said with a cheery smile. “Yet truth.”
“Yeah, he’s up to a week so far, right? Go, Ransom.”
“Children, hush.” Their mom Sarah spoke up for the first time. “Do you have something you want us to do?”
I nodded. “I really don’t want to, but I think we should cancel the bachelor and bachelorette parties.”
“Done,” Clay and Rachel said in unison.
“Oh, Rach, I’m sorry.” Chaos’s eyes filled. “I’m ruining everything.”
Rachel rushed toward her sister and hugged her tight. “You’re not. I just want you to be safe. If that means we won’t have a hangover, then that’s one less thing to give me wrinkles.”
