Page 45 of Blackstone's Heart
"Yeah, it's me Jimmy." Krista smiled.
"I should have pieced this together when Danny called us," Cain chuckled. "Why didn't you tell us sooner babe?"
Krista elbowed Ethan when he growled at Cain for calling her babe. "Oh behave Ethan, he’s always called me babe and you know it.” Ethan snorted and walked off to say hi to Nick. “I didn’t tell you guys because I wanted to keep the short list of people who knew short.”
“We wouldn’t have said anything Krista.” Cain argued.
Krista lay a hand on his arm. “Oh I know that Cain. We’ve known each other our whole lives. But When I started this career, I promised myself that no more than twelve people would know the truth. Not counting my family and Jerry. Hell Jerry was the one who helped me come up with my pseudonym back in college. Other than you two, only my girlfriends know.
Cain snorted at the mention of her girlfriends. “You mean you ten hyenas are still close.”
Krista slapped his arm playfully. “Keep it up Harker and I’ll tell them all you called us hyenas. They’d track you down in a heartbeat.”
“Alright, alright. Jeeze.” Cain mumbled as Jimmy laughed.
“Anyway, the main reason I didn’t tell you guys is I'm a target as Krista James anyway if someone wanted revenge against dad. Can you two imagine how much bigger that target would be if they knew me and Kris James the bestselling author were one in the same?”
“I get it.” Cain nodded.
"Good point." Jimmy agreed. Then Jimmy spotted Nick and Ethan walking over. "Hello sir.”
“Hello Jimmy, Cain. I’m glad Krista finally told you both the truth. I think that will make this easier for all parties involved.” Nick smiled shaking Jimmy and Cain’s hands.
“I agree. Well, let's sit down and I can get everyone caught up to speed.” Ethan instructed as he stood next to his board at the head of the table.
Krista sat next to her dad and listened as Ethan explained to Jimmy and Cain what had been going on and how Blackout became involved. She had to admit that he was in total control. The men sitting around the table obviously respected him. And despite the shitty situation, she found this side of Ethan, the boss man, sexy and hot as fuck.
Watching him was beautiful and hot. All that manliness was hers, at least for the moment. She couldn't stop her mind from drifting back to the words he nearly said. She had stopped him because she didn't want him saying words in the heat of the moment. They had done that plenty of times when they had been kids. But they weren't kids anymore. Though she was pretty sure about her own feelings toward him, she didn't want him to feel he had to say the words if he didn't actually feel that way. Before her thoughts could drift anymore, she pulled herself back to the task at hand and the reason for this meeting.
"Alright gentlemen, that's where we stand. Now, Krista retrieved the mail this morning before the bullets began flying. Krista, you want to handle this part?" Ethan concluded.
Giving him a nod, she stood and moved to where the mail was laid out on the table. "This was all that was in the box today. These here are from my publishing house so they don't count. These here, are regular fan letters that just happened to be picked up today. This letter and package are from my stalker. The handwriting is the same on both. Before we took them out, Grant scanned all of them for explosives. They came up clean. I haven't opened them. If you want, we can do that now."
"Let's do that." Jimmy said.
Everyone groaned at the smell when the package was pulled out of the bio-hazard bag that Ethan had put it in before they earlier. Krista’s hands shook just a bit as she laid the package on the table with the letter beside it. She took a slow breath through her mouth, trying to breath past the smell.
Krista was handed a pair of gloves by Cain. She slipped them on, as did everyone else. She started with the letter. Carefully she opened the envelope, making not of the postmark and date. It said San Antonio and dated the day before. There was only one sheet this time. She laid it flat on the table. Closing her eyes, she calmed herself. Her nerves still feeling a bit raw after the mornings events, but she needed to stay focused here. Opening her eyes, she looked down and started reading the letter.
My fair Kris,
How's Jerry these days? Oh it broke my heart to hear you were in the building with him, but that is the price you pay for ignoring me. For going to the police and F.B.I.
Now, who are these new players my dear? Hmmm?
You went to Blackout. Shame on you darling. Now you have to pay. I don't like hurting you but you refuse to obey me and continue to ignore me. That cannot go unpunished.
"My god, he is crazy." Krista gasped.
"Shit. What's this freak planning now?" Cain hissed.
“How did he know that dad came here? Dad, you did have your office swept for surveillance right?” Krista asked.
“Actually, me and Lance did that right after we left your place when we upgraded your security. His office was clean.” Tony spoke up. “Sir, did you mention to anyone that you were coming to see us? Or tell anyone about the letters you were getting?”
Nick frowned. “No. The only person besides myself that knew about the letters was my wife. Oh, and Ethan’s dad. It was his idea to come here.”
Ethan lifted a brow at that. “Wait, my dad told you to come here?”
