Page 71 of Roots of the Wicked

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Jax

“The bastard has skills. He’s not a run-of-the-mill crook, I’ll give him that. Either he’s working with someone, or he has created a convincing shadow. Asshole,” I spat, aiming words in no particular direction as my eyes remained glued to the screen. “He has a multi-layer firewall set up, but I’ll worm my way through his shit one way or the other.” The bad news was, I didn’t know if I was hacking him or his shadow. Either way, I’d take out my target by aiming my anger at both.

Chase stared like he didn’t know me anymore. If he knew how many laws I had broken to preserve my privacy, he’d be terrified. I refused to be labeled a billionaire’s interest of the week and lose my livelihood because of a fucking breaking news story.

News with a shelf-life of a week wasn’t going to ruin my life forever. What was worse, I was exposed, half naked and vulnerable for the world to see. It was my body, along with my life being uncovered. I couldn’t let it happen.

“One down, two more to go,” I muttered, smirking at the screen.

Chase scowled. “You broke through their firewall?”

“Fucking right, and I’m about to get through the other two and fuck up his world.”

Chase caressed my hand, pausing my movement. “Jax, I have people working on this too. Don’t do something you’re going to regret or something you’ll get into trouble for.”

“I shouldn’t get into trouble, but if I do, it will be worth it, if it means helping to preserve my life. I can’t let them release more than they already have. If a sex tape gets out, I’m over. I’m not some celebrity who can expose a sex tape and become famous for it. This can’t happen, Chase. I can’t let it.” My emotional outburst caused an even deeper crease of concern to pour over his face.

I paused my typing long enough to point a finger into my chest. “My life will be fucked up, blown apart, and you, all you’ll get is a hoorah for fucking me.”

Chase didn’t argue, because he knew I was right. I had lost count at how many times his face was plastered on the news with different women, and it did nothing to hurt his business. On the other hand, a female in the same position would lose respect, business, and associates for doing the exact same thing.

“You’re right,” he said. “The last thing I want is for this to hurt you.”

His face was a deep crease of questions and concern. “Remember, I know that this goes much deeper than your career. Talk to me, baby.”

“One more to go, and the motherfucker is going to crumble,” I muttered, my eyes glued to the laptop, projecting a hint of madness. I heard Chase talking, but I didn’t want to talk right now. Besides, I was in my zone. Either I was about to save myself or make the situation worse.

“I’m in!” Chase’s eyes went wide at my shout.

Our gazes locked. Chase understood me better than anyone, but I don’t think he could ever fully understand all that stood against me. He had never had to claw his way through a business world that viewed a female more as a nuisance, or as something they had to tolerate in a world they believed meant for men. He’d had his fair share of run-ins with duplicitous females, but he had never been exposed in such a savage manner it caused him to obsessively guard his identity. It was why I preferred to have the world think I was a man, and only showed my face when I had to. He had never been used and abused and riddled with such raw hate that death became a better option.

“Does you’re being in mean you’re inside the computer of the person you suspect sent our photos to the media? How? It’s only been a few hours.”

“Yes, and I’m a few clicks from sending him a virus, so vicious, it will fry his computer and seek and destroy everything he’s sent. Hopefully destroying those damn photos of us.”

I expected Chase would be upset about my update because of his earlier concerns about what I was doing. Instead, he smiled.

My gaze settled on the television as flashing red notes about me and Chase scrolled across the bottom of the screen. That’s what helped to finalize my decision to hit the send button.

“Jax, if your actions today come back to you, you could be in serious trouble. That being said, I need you to know that I’ll have your back.”

Only Chase could make me smile at a depressing time like this, his support easing my distressed mind.

“I appreciate your help in this Chase. I know that you’ll do everything in your power.” I leaned over and place a quick kiss on his lips before my attention was pulled back to my task of destroying the stalker’s world.

“If he’s sent the pictures or even a sex tape to anyone, the virus would seek out his sent items and destroy them.”

I attempted to ease Chase’s mind because I cared about him. However, he didn’t appear convinced of what I was saying. “Me and TK are certain we’ve found the right person, but if we haven’t, your efforts will come in handy. However, if there is one thing I’m certain of, this level exposure will send me into permanent hiding. This will kill any future I have. All of the work I’ve done to get this far will go down the drain, and I will never be taken seriously again. With the mention of my name, the world will change my title to Chase Taylorson’s latest conquest.”

Chase prepared to reply but the phone sounded.

“Hey, you know the deal. I need you to make my footprint disappear. Nothing on this side of the bridge survives, I’m talking full blown digital burn.”

TK’s voice boomed into the phone. “This is digital black ops level shit. You are going to owe me big.”

“Got it, now get the shit done already and stop flapping your lips.”

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