Page 113 of Cruel Riches

I took a deep breath. “Nate’s right,” I said in a small voice, cheeks flushing hot. “A few weeks ago, someone used a porn movie to make a deepfake sex tape with my face, and they sent it to everyone at Blackthorne. You can ask the Dean about it.”

“Okay.” The officer’s brows furrowed as he made a note on a small pad. “Go on.”

“It’s been a nightmare since then. A ton of horrible rumors have gone around about me, and everyone stares at me wherever I go.” I looked down and let out a heavy sigh. “Honestly, it’s really affected me. I felt like I was going crazy over the last few weeks because of it. Then those horrible murders happened, and that was the final straw. I didn’t feel safe at Blackthorne anymore, and I didn’t want to go to my classes or see anyone. I just wanted to hide for a while. So I holed myself up in my dorm and told everyone I needed some space.” I paused again and gave Nate a tight smile. “Then my boyfriend suggested I come and stay here. That way I don’t have to be on campus anymore.”

“Why didn’t you return to your apartment in the city if you wanted to leave Blackthorne?”

“My sister lives there as well, and I don’t want to explain it all to her, because it means I’ll have to tell her about the fake sex tape,” I said, nervously twisting my fingers together. “It’s just too embarrassing. I keep imagining her seeing it and never being able to look at me the same way again, even though it’s not really me in the footage.”

“I understand.” The officer tilted his head slightly to one side. “Do you have any idea who made the tape?”

“No. I guess someone at Blackthorne just really hates me for some reason.”

“I see.” His eyes flickered between me and Nate, and his brows furrowed. “It’s strange how such serious problems seem to follow the two of you around that campus, isn’t it?”

“Excuse me? What’s that supposed to mean?” Annalise asked, putting her hands on her hips.

“I’m not making any accusations, Ms. Lockwood,” the officer replied, lifting a palm. “I’m just noting how unfortunate it is. First, Ms. Livingston was the victim of a serious cybercrime, and then, just a few weeks later, your son was the victim of a vicious assault. It almost seems as if someone is targeting the two of them.”

Annalise’s mouth fell open. “What? What assault?”

Nate waved a hand. “It’s not a big deal.”

The officer raised his brows. “Well, I’d hardly call it a small deal. You were stabbed, and you had to undergo emergency surgery.”

Annalise’s eyes bulged. “Stabbed?” she said. “Nate, what on earth are they talking about?”

“It’s really not as bad as it sounds,” he replied. “I was mugged on campus yesterday, and the guy nicked me with a knife, but I’m fine. I just needed a few stitches and pain meds.”

Annalise’s hand flew to her mouth. Her skin had turned ashen. “Oh, god. Why wouldn’t you tell me about something like that?”

“I didn’t want to worry you. Like I said, I’m going to be fine.”

She shook her head and muttered something under her breath, brows drawn into a disappointed frown.

Nate clenched his jaw and turned back to the officers. “Look, if I’m being totally honest, that incident is actually part of the reason why I asked Alexis to come and stay here. I don’t think that campus is safe anymore, and I’d never forgive myself if something like that happened to her.”

“That’s understandable, Mr. Lockwood.” The officer muttered something to his colleague, and then he straightened his shoulders. “I think we can let you go now. Everything seems to be fine here.”

“Thank you, officers,” Annalise said with a tight smile. “Please tell Alexis’s friends that she’s perfectly safe here, and she’s more than welcome to stay as long as she wants. And, of course, they can visit whenever they like.”

“I’ll pass the message on, Ms. Lockwood. Thanks for your time.”

The officers shook her hand before looking back at me. My heart fluttered in my chest like the wings of a trapped bird. This was my chance.

“Thanks for coming to check on me,” I said with a warm smile. As I spoke, I surreptitiously slipped my hand into my coat pocket and grabbed the folded bit of toilet paper. Then I began to extend my hand so I could pretend to shake one of the officer’s hands while slipping them the note.

Before I could raise my arm all the way, Nate grabbed my hand and squeezed it while flashing a warm, adoring smile in my direction. To everyone else in the room, it looked like a loving gesture, but the truth was much darker. He’d spotted my note.

“Yes, thanks for checking up on us,” he said, turning his attention back to the police. “Sorry if I seemed rude earlier. I’m just very protective of Alexis because of everything she’s gone through over the last few weeks.”

That’s understandable,” the officer on the right said, dipping his head in a slight nod. “Anyway, we’ll get out of your hair now.”

“I’ll see you out,” Annalise said, ushering them out of the room.

My heart sank, and my knees went weak. I didn’t dare to meet Nate’s eyes once we were alone, but I could still see the cold fury flashing in the blue depths.

Painstakingly slowly, he unfolded my note and scanned it.

Then, without a word, he ripped it to shreds.

---