Exposed (Let Me Love You #3)

Chapter 23

23

I’M WATCHING YOU

MATT

A fter Pepper fell asleep last night, Simon woke up and I researched hackers on the internet while I was feeding him his bottle. The dark web is a complex market. I have no idea what I’m doing, but I’ve got to help Pepper.

“I researched finding a hacker, and my friends in Colorado are searching. We’re going to find out who framed you so we can clear your name.”

Pepper looks at me, and her eyes get watery again. She quickly rubs at them and fans her face with her hands. “I promise I’m not usually a crier. These last few months have been stressful, and I’ve been more emotional. I don’t want to go to jail. You helping me means the world to me, and you have friends who don’t even know me that are willing to help me.”

After what she shared last night, I’m dead set on showing her what it means to be wanted. I’d also like to find her parents and teach them a lesson, but I’ll have to settle for teaching Pepper how great she is.

I cup her face and kiss one of her tears away. “You’re not going to jail. My friends and I are happy to help you,” I promise her. “So, we’ve got a couple of things to do today. I want to add you to my phone plan. Then, I have a sunset family shoot scheduled later today, but it’ll only be about an hour and a half.”

I bounce Simon in my arms as we enter my exercise room. “You ready to work out with us, buddy?”

“You’re getting me a cell phone? That’s too much,” Pepper shakes her head.

“You’re my nanny, Pep. If something happens while I’m working, I need you to call me.”

She opens her mouth to say something, but my doorbell rings.

“Hold that thought.” I walk to my door while swinging Simon back and forth so he’ll smile at me.

When I open the door, I don’t recognize the woman in pants and a blouse standing on my doorstep.

“Mr. Matthieu Galloway?” She asks in a clipped tone. She’s holding a big yellow Manila folder.

“Yes, ma’am. What can I do for you?” I ask cautiously.

“This is for you. A suit has been filed against you.” She hands me the folder, then walks to her sedan and drives away.

“What the hell?” I mutter as I shut and lock my door. I balance Simon in one arm while I get the papers out. My eyes scan the top letter, trying to make sense of it.

Mr. and Mrs. Heath Truman are fighting me for full custody of Simon.

No fucking way. Are these his grandparents?

“What’s up?” Pepper walks into the living room where I’m frozen.

I look at her and can’t even get the words out. My hands are shaking, and she takes Simon from me. “Matt. It’s okay. What’s wrong?”

“Simon’s grandparents are suing me for full custody of their grandchild.”

My feet threaten to give out, and I sit on the couch. Pepper hands me Simon back and sits on the couch next to me.

Simon gurgles and coos, looking from me to Pepper. He smiles while he happily bounces his hands and feet up and down.

I place my hand on his back while I hold him close. “You’re mine, Simon. I won’t let anyone take you from me.” He grabs my finger and starts grunting. Then, his face reddens as he poops, and yellow shit drips down my chest.

“You always save your poop for me, huh?” I laugh at my son’s timing. I lay him down, then strip off my dirty shirt.

“I’ll get Simon fresh clothes,” Pepper chimes, then runs to my room where she organized and folded all of his clothes on top of my dresser.

“How about what your mom bought him?” She comes back out with a one piece outfit with a puppy and a big dog on it that reads, “Daddy’s little man.”

“Sure,” I agree, locked in a daze as I clean Simon on autopilot .

Pepper rests her hand on my shoulder. “We’ll call a lawyer today. Find the best one to fight for you.”

She said “we.” Did you hear that? I’m growing on her.

“We, huh?” My heart is attaching itself to Pepper.

“Yep. You’re helping me find a hacker. I’ll help you find a lawyer. At least what you’re doing is legal.”

“True,” I nod, shock settling in like a slow moving summer storm. “We’ll find you the best hacker, Pep. And I’ll call my dad to see if he knows a good family attorney.”

I’ve just pulled into my driveway from finishing my shoot when my phone rings.

Putting the car in park, I pick it up to see Noah’s name. “Hey, man. What’s up?”

“Hey, Matt. I think I found someone on the hacker message board.”

Pepper and I scoured a few online hacker message boards today, too. Let’s see if he found the same name we were considering. “Lay it on me.”

“His username is Rick28.”

Bingo.

“Yep, that’s the same one we saw over and over again. I think he’d be a good fit.”

“Looks like you answer his ad and see if he’s available for the gig. I hope it works out for you and your friend.”

“You and me both,” I sigh.

The whole thing creeps me out. You private message the people in a chat, but I’m sure none of it is secure. We’ve been screenshotting so we have proof. I’m leery of paying someone thousands of dollars. Thankfully, it seems like in this underground network of criminals, Rick28 has a solid reputation. We don’t have a choice if we want to find out who framed Pepper, so I’m willing to take a risk.

“Hope and I plan to visit you and Simon.”

“Awesome. Text me the days you’re thinking, and I’ll check my schedule. I usually work weddings on the weekends.”

“Right on. We can work around that. Catch you later,” Noah says.

“Peace.” I hang up, then disarm my home alarm and go inside to find Pepper holding Simon and dancing around the living room.

My laptop is open on the counter and playing Higher Love by Whitney Houston.Pride rises within me.

My family and I showed her that song.

She’s swaying with Simon while she sings along to the music.

It’s actually concerning that she didn’t hear me enter the house, but I can’t help watching her. For a girl who’s had to watch out for herself for long enough, I want her to enjoy this rare moment where she’s totally caught up in my son. She looks happy, and she giggles when he smiles at her.

It only lasts a few seconds, then she turns around and spots me leaning against my door frame.

“Holy crap,” she shouts when she sees me and protectively holds Simon to her chest on instinct.

“Didn’t mean to scare you,” I grin. “You were in your own world.”

“I’m sorry. I should’ve been more aware. What did you do, sneak in here? I can’t believe I didn’t hear the door open.”

“I didn’t sneak in. And you had the security alarm set, at least.”

I need to tell her to be more careful, but I think she already feels guilty enough to do better next time.

She quickly stops the song. “I’m getting him to sleep now. He wanted one more song. Dancing and singing helps him calm down before bed,” she grins sheepishly.

“Does it?” I ask with a smirk. I set my camera equipment down and cross the room to take Simon and give him a hug.

“Hey, buddy. Did you miss Daddy? I missed you.” I tickle his chest with my nose and he does the cutest giggle.

Pepper quickly gets his bedtime bottle ready.

“I’m sorry. We took a bath and played, and I lost track of the time tonight. It won't happen again.” She pushes her short hair out of her face nervously. She seems worried, like I’m unhappy with her.

“I’m not mad, Pepper. Simon getting to bed a little late doesn’t bother me. I’m happy he has someone like you to bond with,” I assure her while I shake the formula in the warmed up water with one hand while holding Simon.

“Really? Right. Okay.” She breathes a sigh of relief.

“Yeah, you’re good.”

“I’ll be more aware from now on. You won’t sneak up on me again.” She playfully points two fingers at her eyes, then at me, a joking gesture like she’s watching me.

“I believe you.” She needs someone to believe the best in her, and I volunteer as tribute.

“Thanks, Matt,” she smiles at me.

Whatever shit her parents ingrained in her, I’ll bust every lie apart one by one.