But how dare this awful online bully come at me through Flynn?That isnotokay. And yet there their horrible words are.
You’re a cunt and a whore like that bitch Scarlett. You deserve what she’s going to get.
I reach out and yank Flynn to me, wrapping my arms around her and squeezing tight. “I’m so sorry this happened to you. You shouldn’t have to deal with this.”
She grips me hard and doesn’t let go for a few seconds. “Wait, why are you apologizing to me?” she asks as we loosen our holds. “You didn’t do this. Some ass-clown with a toxic attitude and no fear of getting punched in the damn face did. So, what are we going to do about it?”
I think of all the screenshots I’ve sent to the detective who is handling the case, and the only thing they’ve managed to do is question Chadwick and get him riled up enough to come at me in person.
“I don’t know. We’ve had cops looking into it, but they’ve found nothing. The accounts are all impossible to trace. I guess I should try something else, because this isn’t working.”
Flynn sassily careens back. “Damn right we need to try something else. You need a hacker to track this asshole down.”
“That’d be really awesome, but I don’t exactly know how to go about finding one of those.”
“I’ll ask around with the techy kids at school and see if I get any bites. I’m really getting sick and tired of you having to deal with this crap. And I’m sorry that I’m here adding to it.”
I hug her to me again. “You shouldn’t be apologizing either. This is neither of our faults. But I do appreciate your offer. If you find someone who can look into it, I’ve got a lot more accounts that they can dig through too. It’s like this jerk starts a new one every damn day at this point.”
Flynn plops down on the sofa and stares up at the ceiling. “Who would do all that? And why?” Her gaze cuts to me after a few moments of silence, because I don’t have any answers for her. “Did the cops have you make a list of your enemies?”
I shake my head. “I told them about the messy breakup with Chadwick. They questioned him. He and Dad showed up here, indignant ... but I don’t think it was him. I honestly have no idea who else would spend their time doing this crap. It makes no sense.”
Flynn reaches for her phone and taps the screen. “Let’s start a list. Shitty suppliers. Angry customers. Men you wouldn’t sleep with. We have to do something, Scarlett. This asshole can’t keep coming at you. I won’t have it.”
Since the very first time the troll threatened me, I feel a wash of relief. We’re nowhere closer to finding out who it is and putting a stop to it, but Flynn’s concern fills me with warmth and gives me a new sense of hope.
This might not get us anywhere, but if it makes her feel better, then it’s worth it.
I drop onto the sofa beside her. “Okay, let’s make a list.”
Twenty-One
Legend
Creighton Karas decidedwe’re going to be friends.
I have to say, that’s the first time a billionaire has ever been interested in a goddamned thing I do, and it’s a little weird. Not unnerving, because I don’t get shaken by shit like that, but just ... strange. And now he wants my plan.
I have two choices. I can give him the “I’m going to win; your investment is safe” speech, or I can tell him the truth.
Fuck it.I might as well go all in with my newfriend.
“I’m going to win the fight, but I’m also betting big on myself. If everything goes according to plan, I’ll make enough to pay off all of you investors, and the club will be mine free and clear.”
This time, Karas’s brows go up. “Interesting. That’s how you made enough to open Urban Legend too, isn’t it?”
This guy really does know everything, which is also fucking creepy.
“Yeah.”
“How much are you betting on yourself?” he asks.
“As much cash as I can put my hands on.”
“Where are you going to get it?”
I lean back in the leather chair and cross an ankle over my knee. “I don’t know yet. I was thinking about putting up the club as collateral with a loan shark.”