Page 51 of Stalk Me

"If we could arrange it securely," he replies. "The trick is getting in touch with him without leaving an electronic trail."

Erik runs a hand through his hair again, thinking. "David uses an encrypted messaging app for sensitive communications with witnesses. If I could get a burner phone…"

"I can handle that," Professor Austin says. "I'm driving into town tomorrow for supplies. I could purchase one with cash."

I look between them, hope and fear warring in my chest. I don't tell them that I have a burner phone in my room. This could work—or it could be the last mistake we ever make. Either way, it's all happening too fast for me to think it through. "Even if this works, even if we get the evidence to David, what happens then? My parents will know someone betrayed them."

"Which is why we need to throw them off the scent," Erik says, his expression turning calculating. "Make them think they've won, that we're no longer a threat."

"How do we do that?" I ask.

A slow smile spreads across Erik's face. "We stage an argument. Public and dramatic. It needs to be thorough enough that even Belle will believe it."

The thought sends a pang through my chest, even though I know it would be fake. "You think they'll buy it?"

"They will if we sell it," he says. "You're good at making scenes, Luna. And I can play the heartbroken ex-friend pretty convincingly."

Professor Austin nods. "It could work. Give them what they want, make them think their threats were effective, while we work behind the scenes." He turns to me. "But this is incredibly dangerous for all of us. You need to be certain it's worth the risk."

I think about the emails, about next month's gathering, about what they're planning for Erik in Munich if he doesn't meet their expectations during the event. I think about the years of parties, of pills dissolving on my tongue, of hands touching me without consent. I think about Alex, about Dougie, about Nicolas, Max, and all the others I've used and been used by. I think about Belle, a pawn in her own family's game, just like me.

"It's worth it," I say finally, my voice stronger than I expected. "They need to be stopped. Whatever it takes."

Erik reaches for my hand, his touch warm and grounding. "We do this together or not at all. If you're in, I'm in."

I squeeze his hand, drawing strength from his unwavering support. "I'm in."

"Then it's settled," Professor Austin says. "Tomorrow, I'll get the burner phone. Erik, you'll need to compose a message for your brother that explains enough to get his attention but doesn't reveal too much. Tomorrow afternoon, I'll put in an urgent request for my personal days on account of my mother falling ill. If everything goes well, I should be able to leave immediately."

"And we'll stage the argument," I add. "It needs to be public, messy, the kind of thing that gets everyone talking."

"The dining hall," Erik suggests. "During lunch rush."

I nod. "Perfect. I'll be the heartless bitch who was just using you. You'll be the naïve guy who thought he could save me."

Erik's mouth quirks in a half-smile. "Method acting at its finest."

Professor Austin watches us with an unreadable expression. "You two should minimize contact after the… performance. At least in public. If you need to communicate, do it through me. I'll be the go-between."

"And once you're in Boston?" I ask.

"I'll meet with David, show him what we have, and let him determine the best course of action," he explains. "He'll need time to build a case, gather additional evidence, identify which jurisdictions to involve."

"Time we may not have," I remind him. "Once my parents realize their emails have been accessed, if they haven’t already…"

"They won't," he assures me. "I covered our tracks. As far as their security team can tell, no one's been in those accounts."

I wish I could share his confidence, but I've spent too many years watching my parents stay one step ahead of everyone. "Just make sure David understands what he's dealing with. These aren't ordinary criminals who care about getting caught—they're powerful people who believe they're untouchable. And for as long as I can remember, they've been right."

Erik's grip on my hand tightens. "Not this time."

The certainty in his voice almost makes me believe him. Almost.

Professor Austin stands, straightening his jacket in a gesture that reminds me he's still my teacher, despite everything else that's happened between us. "I should go. The longer I'm here, the more questions it will raise." He pauses at the door. "Be careful. Both of you. This isn't a game."

"We know," Erik replies solemnly. "Thank you."

Once he's gone, silence settles between us. Erik still holds my hand, his thumb tracing circles on my skin. It's such a small gesture, but it anchors me in the storm of my thoughts.

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