Page 119 of Rebel

There’s a buzz, and I expect it to be a text from Reign, so I open it with a groan.

Unknown: If you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave, or I’ll be forced to show the world exactly who you are.

Unknown: Two picture messages.

I open the pictures, my eyes widening in horror.

They are of me, naked. I’d taken them as a joke to send to Chase after he sent me a dick pic. I know because of the room I’m in. I don’t usually send them, but it was a joke for someone I trust. I look at him, my heart freezing, wondering how the hell someone got their hands on them.

I feel sick that someone has not only seen them but is trying to threaten me with them.

Unknown: Think about it, just don’t take too long.

“Beck, are you ready?”

I lock my phone and nod at Kolton, but I feel sick the whole way home.

FIFTY-FIVE

Istill feel sick the next day. I have no idea who could have gotten the pictures. I offhandedly asked Chase what he did with them, and he snorted and told me he wasn’t dumb and that he deleted them. I know he didn’t do this, so who did?

The doorbell rings, and I head over since I was pacing around. I barely see the delivery guy as I accept the flowers, signing for them before heading to the kitchen. We get them a lot, usually from the label, so I automatically put them in a vase, giving my hands something to do before the note catches my eye.

Opening the folded card, I frown.

Congratulations on your upcoming tour, Chase, Trav, and Kolt.

— Management

Either someone forgot my name or did it on purpose, and I’m not sure what’s pettier. It puts me in an even worse mood, and I grab my coat, needing fresh air and a friendly ear. I text Ben on the way, and this time, we meet at his apartment.

It’s in a nice neighborhood, but as he answers the black door with a gold number on it, I peer past him and into the tiny apartment. That’s city living for you. The living room is practically in the kitchen, and his office is a tiny second bedroom, but we sit at the sofas that face each other. He makes coffee for me, and once I hold the mug in my hand, he speaks.

“Okay, spill, Beck. You didn’t call me for no reason. What’s going on?” he asks carefully.

I don’t know why I chose to confess to Ben, but I know he’s on my side, and the fact that he knew my sister helps. It makes me feel better, like he understands and will know what to do.

“I don’t know. It’s hard to explain, but I feel like . . . I feel like someone is targeting me. There was this dresser, and she was super rude, like she was trying to destroy me, then flowers were delivered today from management and the card was missing my name, like I was left out on purpose to make me feel insignificant, and then there’s the other thing . . .”

“Other thing?” He frowns. “Tell me. I can’t help you if I don’t know, Beck.”

It’s the earnestness in his voice that has me sighing. “Someone got a hold of my nudes and is threatening to release them.”

He blinks for a moment. “How bad is it?”

“Fully naked,” I answer without shame. “I sent them to Chase. It wasn’t him, he showed me that he deleted them, but I don’t know how they got them.”

“Did he send them to anyone?” he asks slowly.

“No, not that I know of. Maybe it’s dumb, but I believe him. Chase isn’t the type.”

Ben nods. “I happen to agree. Is Chase’s phone backed up to the cloud?” Ben asks.

“Um, I don’t know,” I admit.

“If it’s a label phone and it’s backed up to the cloud, then anyone in management could have access to his photos,” Ben explains.

“Fuck,” I rasp out, downing my coffee. “So I’m screwed. It could be anyone.”

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