Exposed (Let Me Love You #3)

Chapter 32

32

LOOK HOW FAR WE’VE COME

MATT

P epper and I hold hands as we walk into my house. Hope and the whole crew are already here with Simon. We met my parents at their house this morning, and my dad drove us back so he could get his Chevy.

Pepper’s small hand in mine makes my heart beat fast. The connection we have is more intense than I ever thought it would get.

I’ve got a ten-week-old baby, yet I’m disappointed about using spermicide with Pepper.

Fuck me. I didn’t want to use any birth control with her last night. We’re both clean, but it wasn’t just about going bareback inside her.

Color me insane. It could be the sleep deprivation, but Simon is so adorable. I wouldn’t mind having another one, especially a baby that’s half Pepper.

Having a baby with her would mean she couldn’t leave me after she’s freed herself from the wild charges plaguing her. A baby would cement her to me for decades, and I want that.

We’ve only known each other for a few weeks, but you learn who someone is quickly when you live with them.

Deacon’s loud announcement of our arrival breaks my thoughts. “Simon, Daddy’s here!”

Hope is snuggling Simon, and she brings him over to me.

Simon smiles when he sees me, his little arms and legs jerking excitedly as I take him back.

“Missed you, little man,” I whisper and kiss his head.

“When do we go to the beach?” Indy asks excitedly. She already has a Sleeping Beauty swimsuit on.

“Soon, angel,” Aerica answers.

“Can we get a souvenir for Megan?” She asks.

“Of course.”

“There’s a cool gift shop about ten minutes away on Townsend Street,” I offer.

“Good. I want to get Megan a mermaid, ‘cause she collects them. Megan’s got red hair, and she looks like Princess Ariel,” Indy chatters.

“You’re super sweet to think of your friend Megan while you’re in Florida. I bet she’d love a mermaid from you,” Pepper smiles.

Indy’s face lights up at Pepper’s engagement. “When she was in New York last summer, she bought me a mini Statue of Liberty. We’re besties.”

“I love that you think of each other,” Pepper agrees.

“Do you think they have Christmas ornaments? I want to buy a beach themed one. We can go shopping now, then come back and go to the beach with you guys,” Aerica suggests.

“Go for it. The beach is just a few blocks from here. I’ve got extra towels and sunscreen for you guys,” I volunteer.

“Have fun shopping,” Pepper waves, and I give Indy a high five as they head out the door.

I excuse myself to call my lawyer’s assistant and let her know I’m married. I tell her my girlfriend and I were already living together, so we made it official. She’s adding it to our case, so that’s a plus.

Then, I grab my laptop on my way to join our friends again. “Let’s see if the hacker has responded.” With Simon tucked in one arm, I set my laptop on my counter and open it.

I curse when I see Rick28’s message in the private chat room, and disappointment makes my chest feel heavy.

“What?” Pepper comes up and puts a hand on my tricep.

Everyone gathers around me to read the screen.

Rick28:

Can’t do the job for you. You’d have better luck breaking into the White House, because Titan Securities is a cybersecurity powerhouse. Their firewalls have firewalls that no hacker can break into. I’m the best in this business. It can’t be done .

“Bullshit. This dude’s a scared little poser,” Deacon scoffs with his arms across his chest.

“I’m sorry,” Pepper whispers at my side as her grip on my tricep tightens. “You’re linked to me, and we can’t clear my name.”

“We’re going to clear your name, Pep. Don't worry,” I assure her, and she bites her lip in uncertainty.

“We’ll find someone better,” Hope encourages.

“Someone willing to break into Titan’s server,” Noah adds.

“I’ll ask if he recommends anyone else,” I suggest, then type my question into the private chat. While we’re waiting for him to answer, hopefully soon, I break the news about Simon’s grandparents going after full custody of him.

“That’s atrocious,” Shyla laments. “I’m glad you’re going to stop them.”

“Yeah, but I have to find dirt on them. We’re waiting to hear back from my lawyer to see if Simon’s biological mom will testify about them being unfit guardians.”

“That’s her word against theirs. You need hard evidence,” Noah advises.

“We could hire a private investigator to dig into their pasts and see if there’s anything there,” Deacon says.

“Would that hold up in court?” Pepper asks.

“I’ll look into the laws for admissible evidence,” I say, because we need to know for Pepper’s case as well.

“You guys are here on vacation. Let us take you to the beach,” Pepper says to my friends from Denver.

“If we wanted to go to the beach, we could’ve gone anywhere. We’re here to support you guys,” Deacon states.

“I’m totally content to stay here and put my feet up while we research how to help you,” Hope grins.

“Oh yeah?” Deacon asks.

“We didn’t want to announce this on your wedding day, but Noah and I have something to share,” Hope starts.

“Shut the front door,” Shyla squeals excitedly and covers her mouth.

“Noah and I are having a baby,” Hope exclaims.

My living room erupts with cheers, and we take turns hugging the happy couple.

Deacon has tears in his eyes as he pulls Noah in for a bear hug. “You’re going to be the best dad.”

Hope wipes tears from her eyes.

“I’m so glad you two are like brothers again,” she says to Noah and Deacon, and they both pull her into their hug.

Noah and Deacon were like brothers growing up, connected by Deacon’s brother Shane. Then the unthinkable happened: Shane, Noah’s best friend and Deacon’s older brother, was killed in Afghanistan while he and Noah were deployed. It took years for Noah and Deacon to find their way back to each other, but they’re stronger than ever now.

“Thanks, man,” Noah hugs Deacon back. “That means a lot.”

The first time I met Noah two years ago, he was a broken, haunted shell of a man. Now, thanks in part to my best friend Hope, he’s thriving again.

We go out to eat and to the beach to celebrate, then back to my house.

“Noah, you’re going to be a dad. Hold Simon,” Deacon announces as we walk into my living room.

Noah is imposing with his tall stature and broody demeanor, but he turns into a bundle of nerves at Deacon’s words.

“I’ve never held a baby before,” Noah mumbles.

“Nothing to it,” Deacon grins. “Sit down.” Deacon points to my sofa, and Noah reluctantly obeys with a shaky breath.

“He can tell if you’re nervous, just like animals can,” Deacon notes.

“You’re kidding.” Noah raises his eyebrows.

“They’re perceptive,” I agree.

“Go for it, Noah,” Hope croons.

“Yeah. Okay,” Noah shakes out his arms, rolls his neck from side to side, then opens his arms to take Simon. “I’ve got this.”

“Cradle his head here, and hold his body to yours.” Deacon shows him, and Noah gently pulls Simon to his body and rests Simon’s head on his chest.His large hand engulfs Simon’s back.

“There ya go,” Deacon encourages.

“This is…oh my gosh,” Hope fans her face and starts crying. “This is beautiful.” Hope’s eyes practically turn to bouncing hearts while she watches her husband hold my son.

“He likes you, Noah,” I grin.

“He does, doesn’t he?” Noah’s normally tense mouth tips up in a grin. Soon enough, Hope and Noah will be up all hours of the night with a little one.

Pepper is unusually quiet, and with everyone around, it’s hard to have a private conversation with her.

I pull her to my bedroom, not even bothering to make an excuse for why I need her. “Why are you quiet today?” I ask.

“I don’t want the fact that I’m a fugitive to interfere with your case with Simon,” she says softly. “We're back to square one with finding a hacker who can help.”

“I’ll find the best hacker. We’re going to find out who framed you, then turn the evidence into the police.” I squeeze the back of her neck and pull her in for a kiss on her forehead. “I’m not leaving you behind, Pepper.”

She’s felt left behind by those who were supposed to protect her, but I need her to know that’s not me. It may be foolish thinking, but she seems like she’s tired of being alone. I know I am, that’s for damn sure. We’re two kindred spirits who found each other at the right time, and I want her to be mine.

“Thanks, Matt,” she looks into my eyes like I’m her knight in shining armor.

“Don’t thank me. You’ve done the hard work. You got away and are working to clear your name. I’m just a wing man,” I give her a soft smile.

I mean it. I’m honored to be the one who helps her discover her power. She’s a strong force to be reckoned with. I want to be the one who helps her realize her wings are big enough to soar as high as she wants.

“Okay, here’s the plan,” Deacon claps his hands together when we get to the living room.

“We get a private investigator to follow the Trumans. There’s nothing illegal about watching someone. We’ll see if anything in their daily lives is cause for concern or something your lawyer can use against them in court,” Noah explains.

“I’ll research a reputable one,” I say. Noah hands Simon back to me, and Simon happily pats my face.

“Already found one. She has the highest ratings for the Miami Metro area,” Noah says.

This guy means business. When I met him two years ago, he hardly spoke to me. He and Hope have visited several times in the last couple of years since her parents live here, and we’ve spent time together. I really like the guy. He’s been to hell and back, and climbed out with the help of his friends, family and therapy. I’m thankful he considers me part of his inner circle.

Deacon’s arms are crossed over his chest as he studies my open laptop screen. “There’s a hacker on here who doesn’t actually write messages, but people talk about her. She goes by Merrit. One thread said we have to post that we’d like to work with her, and she’ll find a way to contact us.”

“Sounds like we’re trying to conjure up a ghost,” Shyla shivers as she talks.

She and Deacon stayed with me last year for a bit when they were being stalked. I instantly connected with Deacon when I met him. If you looked up the word “passionate” in the dictionary, I’m pretty sure his photo would be there. He’s intensely loyal to his friends and family, and super protective if any of them are threatened.

“Maybe that’s better. She’s a ghost who flies under the radar,” Hope says.

“It can’t hurt to contact her. I’ll send a message.” I type in the chat box that I want Merrit to contact us.

“Now we wait. Again,” Pepper sighs.