Page 61 of Exposed

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 pulledinto 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 payingsomeone 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 playingHigher Loveby 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 youdo, 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.

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