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I press call before I can think myself out of it. The phone rings three times, and I almost hang up before his deep voice hits my ear.

“Keegan?”

“Hey,” I say, my own voice sounding annoyingly high-pitched. “You said it was important?”

“It is. Thanks for calling back.” He pauses. “How are you? How’s your wrist?”

I glance down at my wrist that’s been pain-free and seems to be healing well. Except I’m not in the mood for small talk. “It’s good. Healing. What’s going on, Alden?”

He clears his throat. “This is awkward. I... I got a strange call yesterday from someone. I don’t know his name, and he wouldn’t tell me it. He said he knew about our history and how we not only broke up shortly before you got together with Loomis but how I’ve been trying to win you back.”

My skin prickles with unease. “Um, wow. That’s… weird. And what the fuck now?”

“I know. I nearly hung up on him, but the way he spoke made it sound like he heard our conversation outside the café that night. He knew you fell on the ice, and he knew Loomis was there in disguise. He knew he stepped in when I arrived and… said he was your boyfriend. In fact, those were the words he used. He said he stepped in and pretended to be your boyfriend.”

Jesus. It’s the person who took the pictures. Who alerted the press about us. It has to be.

“Alden… I don’t know what to say.”

He sighs. “Is it true?”

Fuck!

“Loomis and I are very much a couple, and we… Alden, we love each other, and it’s not a stunt. It’s real.”

He’s silent for a long moment, and I hop in the water, wading through and not caring that I’m wearing shorts and not a bathing suit.

“Keegan, he offered to help me get you back.”

I frown. “What? How would he help you do that?”

“That’s why I’m calling. He said he had information about Powell. Your... well, I guess he’s your boyfriend for real now.That’s what you’re telling me, and I hope you wouldn’t lie because I’m not lying to you.”

“I’m not lying to you.”

“He has information, Keegs. At least that’s how it sounds.”

The muscles in my stomach clench. “What kind of information?”

“He wasn’t specific other than the bait he drew me in with. He mentioned he had photographs as well as video and dirt that would damage Powell’s reputation. And yours too, because you’re a Fritz. He said that if I loved you and wanted to protect you, I’d help him. Or if I wanted to hurt you both, this would do that.” Alden’s tone grows sharp and edgy. “He seemed to think that would motivate me. The idea of hurting you. He thought I was that kind of person.”

My free hand grips the edge of the pool. Being a Fritz has always been both a blessing and a curse. My family’s wealth and social standing in Boston meant doors were always open, but it also meant people were always watching, waiting for scandal. My father mastered the art before my mother came along, and my family is no stranger since.

“Did he say anything else?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

“He wants me to meet him because he said he wouldn’t do this over the phone. Said he’d show me what he had and how he intends to use it against Powell, and depending on what my angle with you was, if I’d protect you or hurt you, we’d do it a couple of different ways. He wasn’t opposed to either. He said someone with my money and influence in the city could pull a lot of weight, and it would be very damaging for both of you. I got the impression he wanted me to come out publicly and say negative things about the two of you. Declare that your relationship is fake.” Alden grunts. “Look, Keegan, I know things ended badly between us, and that was entirely my fault. And yes,I... I miss you like crazy and regret how it all went. But I’d never do something like that. Not to either of you. It’s abhorrent, and it worries me for your safety and even his. He has a kid, right?”

“Yes. A little boy.” I gulp, my body trembling. “I don’t know what to say to this.”

“Say you’ll have it looked into by your people. It was a burner phone that he called me from. I already researched that, but promise me you’ll be careful. He sounded… desperate. Angry even. That was the impression I got. Angry and desperate. Fuck, Keegan, just promise me you’ll be careful. Someone wants to hurt you. How is this fucking happening? You need to call your people and security now.”

I find myself nodding, though he can’t see me. “I will. Holy crap, Alden. I don’t even know what to say. Thank you for telling me.”

“Do you know who it might be? Do you know of someone who’s made threats?”

I wrack my brain, trying to think of people Loomis has mentioned or anyone who would want to hurt me, though, straight facts, I’m like a freaking ladybug. I bother no one and just crawl along with my red hair and freckles. But Loomis is Loomis. Maybe there are rival actors, disgruntled former employees, paparazzi out to make headlines. Or maybe it’s Fen’s mom behind all of this. Maybe she has some grudge and doesn’t care about her son or anyone. Maybe this was her plan all along. Or maybe it’s his dad. Christ, it could be a million people, and I need to talk to Vander ASAP.

Alden doesn’t know about Vander. When he says my people, he means my Fritz security.