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My phone buzzes, and I grab it off the nightstand, finding a multimedia message from an unknown number. When I open it, my stomach dips.
It’s a photo of me and Eva, half-naked and tearing at each other’s clothes in the classroom last night. “Shit,” I mutter.
Eva stirs in my arms but doesn’t wake. I remove my arm from under her and slip out of bed, pacing quietly out of the bedroom. I don’t want to worry her about this, as she would panic.
I type my response to the number.
What do you want?
My heart pounds as I wait, expecting a swift reply. When I don’t get it, I slam the phone down on the kitchen table and slump into one of my kitchen chairs, holding my head in my hands.
Perhaps it is fate. The Carmichaels wanted to destroy my world. Now, I’ve set out to destroy them, but I may have embroiled myself in a scandal I can’t recover from. Not to mention, my feelings for Eva are anything but fake.
It’s been clear that I’ve been in love with my pupil for a while. She reminds me of the boy who chose differently, like she wants to. Years ago, the boy escaped his parents’ clutches and forsook his birthright to reign over a corrupt criminal empire.
I fled Italy at eighteen years old, took on my new identity as Brett Oakley Archer, and built Archer data corp from the ground up. All for Eva’s parents to tear it down in less than two days.
The cell phone buzzes, and I grab it.
Money. A lot. Or, this picture goes to press.
I know threats like this never go away. If I pay this jerk money, they will soon ask for more.
I dial Ainsley’s number, knowing he has a tech whizz on speed dial for this kind of shit. It will be a student behind it, so hopefully, his contact can trace the number and give me his or her identity.
“Oak, what can I do for you?”
“That whizz kid who helps out. Any chance he can help with a personal matter?” I ask.
“I’m sure he could. What exactly do you need help with?”
I run a hand through my hair. “I need you to trace a number to the owner. Some kid is trying to blackmail me, and I want to find out who.”
There’s some rustling at the other end of the phone. “Give me the number, and I’ll get him to trace it.”
“Can’t I text you the number? I suggest.
He tuts. “Very unwise. Anyone could have tabs on your messages. Now, give me the number?”
I pull up the number and tell him the digits.
“Perfect. I’ll have an answer for you within twenty-four hours.” He cancels the call, and I stand and turn around to find Eva scowling at me.
“Who is blackmailing you?” She asks.
I sigh and sink into the chair. “Before I tell you, I don’t want you to panic.” I give her a pointed look. “I’m sorting it out.” And then I beckon for her to approach.
She does, and I grab her hand, pulling her into my lap.
“This multimedia message came through this morning. I don’t know who sent it.” I place the phone in her hand, and Eva gasps, attempting to wriggle free of my grasp.
I grip her harder. “Eva, I told you not to panic. I’m handling it.”
Her eyes are wide as she stares at me like I’m crazy. “Oak, someone at this school has witnessed us fucking in a classroom on campus.” She shakes her head. “The only normal reaction is to panic.”
I kiss her lips tenderly. “I can find out who is behind it. They won’t get away with it.”
Eva tenses against me. “What would you do if you discovered who was behind it?”
