Page 35 of Intoxicating Pursuit

Escalation

SAMMY

M y phone rang around noon while I was at the brewery, floating between positions, covering for people who hadn’t shown up for their shifts. I glanced at Gabe’s name on the caller ID, asked someone to handle the hostess station for a second, and stepped into the narrow hallway by the offices.

I put the phone to one ear and covered the other to drown out the racket. “Hey.”

“Hey,” Gabe said. “Can you talk?”

“Wish I could, but the lunch rush is a madhouse. Can we catch up tonight?”

“No. Sooner would be better. I know you have a busy day, but I’m afraid I have to disrupt it a bit. I’m sending a security detail to Philadelphia—Oscar and a woman named Lucy.”

“Wait. What?” The noise level in the restaurant was absurd. I shoved open the screeching side door and stepped onto the blacktop. “What did you say?”

“We received another email. This one contained some threats. We’re taking it seriously, and we’re sending Oscar and Lucy your way. You’ll like her.”

“Hold on. Go back. Did you say threats ? What kind of threats?”

“Why don't you call me when you have more time. The team should arrive in a few hours. I’m hoping you can be home by then?”

“Gabe, you’re scaring me.”

“Sammy, I don’t want to panic you. We’re just being conservative. Call me when you get home, and I’ll fill you in. See if you can gather Meghan and your mom, too.”

The sun reflecting off the blacktop suddenly felt stifling, the August air thick. My thoughts swarmed. Meghan might be at a friend’s. Mom could be anywhere. Should I leave now? The staff could figure things out without me.

Wait. . .

No. No.

I forced a deep breath and tried to focus on what was actually happening.

What was real. There were threats. Help was coming.

I was filling in at the brewery—a public place with lots of people around.

Gabe said nothing was urgent. Come on, Sammy.

My head felt light, but I kept my breathing even. I was determined to stay present.

“I need to hand off a few things off here. I’ll be home as quick as I can.”

***

A s soon as relief arrived, I hustled to the house and called Gabe from the front porch, hopefully out of everyone’s earshot. “Gabe, what in the world's going on?”

“Hey, Sammy. There’s been a development.” His voice was low and measured like usual. “We’ve reached out to law enforcement.”

A switch in tactics. “The police? I thought we were keeping the pictures private.”

“Ideally, yes. But the message we received contained a threat—a death threat in fact. So, at this point, we believe we’re dealing with a criminal—not a paparazzi. We don’t think we should take any chances. Is your mom home? Is Meghan? We do have a plan.”

I plopped down on the porch swing and tried to make sense of what he was saying. “A death threat?”

“Unfortunately, yes. Our blackmailer must think we need a nudge.”

“Do you think it’s legitimate?”

“I think we don’t want to find out the hard way. We’re gonna treat it seriously, take all the necessary steps, and not risk it.”

“But don’t you need all your security there with you ? You’re the one who needs protection. This doesn’t feel right.”

Silence.

“Gabe?”

“The threat wasn’t directed at me.” He huffed a breath. “I’m truly sorry, but they seemed to be referring to you.”

“ What? ” My brain locked up. Couldn’t compute it. It made no sense. “But I’m a nobody. How’s that even possible?”

“We don’t know, but you said you received a threat online, so maybe there are things we haven’t figured out. Maybe it’s connected.”

“What, exactly, did the message say? Can you send it to me? Maybe I can ask Ian to look at it.”

“I’ll forward it. But I’ll warn you. . . whoever sent it is good at covering their digital trail.”

I squeezed my eyes closed as the news sank in, the first tentacles of genuine fear slithering into my heart.

The threat of those photos being published was child’s play compared to the possibility of violence.

“Gabe, this has to stop. I can’t have anyone coming near my family.

I’ll cover whatever they’re asking for.”

I looked around at the rickety 1920’s window frames and the flimsy door locks. I’d never even worried before about the security of my home.

“If paying would make it stop, we would’ve done it a long time ago.” He sighed heavily. “Handing over cash tends to fuel the fire.”

I put my head in my hands, trying to think through the implications.

“All right. I think Meghan and Mom are here, but I’ll make sure before Oscar and Lucy arrive.

” I remembered the number of chairs in my kitchen, the number of beds in the house.

“I’m not sure how the sleeping arrangements will work.

I only have one extra bedroom, and it’s small.

Someone might be stuck on a sleeper sofa or blow-up mattress.

I hate subjecting people to that when they’ve traveled so far.

” The idea of Oscar’s enormous physique on the tiny pullout couch seemed impossible for both the man and the furniture.

“I know you’ll be crowded tonight, but I think we can make it better.

” He took a breath. “Listen, we have a couple days’ break right now, then we play the Big Riff Festival for two nights.

The venue’s on the Columbia River Gorge, just a few hours from my home in Oregon.

Look, I know you all have existing commitments, and this isn’t easy.

But given the stakes, we think your family should join us, if possible.

Our security is here, we have plenty of room, and it’s very secluded.

Oscar and Lucy can accompany you here via private plane, and I promise it won’t be a prison.

There’s plenty of acreage to explore, and you can come backstage for the concerts.

We can turn it into something good, Sammy.

Plus, Trevor and his friends will be here.

They’re a little older than Meghan, but they’ll include her. She shouldn’t be bored.”

The festival was relatively new but had quickly become the stuff of legend—a week-long campout with guitar-centric headliners at a spectacular outdoor venue.

A backstage pass would be surreal, but I had hoped to get down to Charlotte.

Plus, Meghan had soccer practice, and this was the week of Mom’s tennis tournament.

But did any of that matter now? Did anything but our safety count at all?

And even if we could up and leave, how was I going to explain all this to Meghan and Mom?

If I did, they would know I had lied, at least a little bit, about my North Carolina trip.

I stood up and paced. I needed a plan—and quickly.

Gabe wasn’t giving up. “Please, Sammy. I’d rather have our security together, and I’d feel a lot better knowing you’re here. We just need to give the police a few days to track this down.”

“I know you’re right. It’s just a lot to process.” I sighed and tried to make sense of the news. “Listen, I know you’ve gone to a lot of expense and planning. If it’s the right thing to do, then I’m sure we’ll come. But I need to think for a few minutes, figure out how this can work.”

“I like where you’re headed, Sammy.”

The fan on the air conditioner kicked on, rumbling the sweet sound of relief from the August heat.

“Besides—” his voice dropped a notch— “I have a few more bottles of port. Maybe you could help me enjoy them.”

I thought for a moment about what exactly he could do with the port. Thought about his lips on my neck and my body. Even through the fog of fear and stress, his suggestive voice and my vivid memories of the cabin in North Carolina were enough to send ripples of desire through my body.

“A few bottles of port sound amazing. Let me talk with everyone, and I’ll get back to you soon.”

We said our goodbyes, he disconnected, and I scrambled to prepare some very strange conversations.

***

“ S ammy, I’m not going anywhere.” Mom stood on the front stoop of her cottage in a tennis skirt and visor, ready to hit the shower.

“Mom, I know this is bizarre, and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you more. I was trying to protect his privacy. But this is real stuff. A death threat. I think that’s more important than a tennis tournament.”

“Honey, I’m not going to live in fear, and it’s time you stopped doing that, too.”

“I’m not living in fear. This is a perfectly rational concern. I need to know you’re safe.”

“Samantha Louise. . . look at me.” She waited until my gaze was squarely on her face.

“I’m not sure you see me clearly anymore, sweetheart.

Do you really think I’m a frail, elderly woman?

I'm the president of my garden club. I play tennis three times a week, and I’ve got a big group of friends here.

” She shook her head. “You know, sometimes, I think you still believe I moved in here so you could protect me .” She let the words hang in the air and stared me down for a minute.

“Did it ever occur to you that I’m here to keep an eye on you and Meghan?

That I’m not living in this beautiful, converted carriage house for my own sake? ”

I was too stunned to say anything.

“That’s right, sweetheart. And you know what?

You’re getting stronger. Those nightmares hardly ever happen anymore, and you’re getting ready to leave the state for the second time in a month.

I believe in you, and you need to start believing in me.

” She took off her visor and wiped beads of sweat from her forehead.

“Sammy, if you and Meghan want to go, then go. It will probably be good for her to get away, but I’m staying here.

Plus, you said there would literally be an armed guard with me, right? ”

“Potentially. I don’t even know if that can happen for sure. I’d need to talk to Gabe.”

“Well then, talk with him, please, because Sharon’s sixty-fifth birthday is next week, and the tennis tournament starts in two days. I’m not leaving.” She took a chug from her water bottle. “Now is it okay with you if I hit the shower?”

I sighed. “Of course.”

“Good. ’Cause I’m definitely a bit funky.” She tromped through her doorway, leaving me with one more complication to sort out.

***

T he conversation with Meghan was pretty much the opposite.

“Wait. Seriously, Mom? You know Gabriel Walker? Like, since when?”

“Meghan, that’s really not the point.”

“I know, I know. But come on , I’m dying here.”

I gave her an abridged version. “I met him when he was in town for a concert. He wanted my help with some landscape designs for his restaurant in North Carolina, and things sort of evolved. Anyways, it’s a mess, and someone has it out for me.”

“Hold on. That’s what you were doing in North Carolina?

I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you were visiting Gabriel Walker!

Ooh , and actually. . . you kind of lied.

But OMG, this is amazing! ” She was going from her dresser to her desk to her closet, manically grabbing belongings and stacking them on the bed.

But then she stopped, a look of alarm on her face.

“Wait. Why is someone mad at you? Is he married? Are you a home wrecker ?”

This was going to take forever. “I’m not a homewrecker, and no, he’s not married. I did lie a little—to protect his privacy—but, please, focus. Look, I’m sorry about all of this—”

“ You’re sorry? ” Her face was glowing with joy. “You’re taking me to the West Coast to see concerts from backstage and meet Gabriel Walker—and you’re apologizing ?”

“Meghan, listen, if we do this, you can’t go all fangirl on him. Understood? I’m serious—no photos, no selfies, no social media of any kind. Got it?”

“I mean, I can tell Marnie at least, right? And surely, I can post a tiny bit to Instagram.”

“It's actually better if people don’t know where we are, sweetie.”

She looked at me like I had lost all reason. “Seriously? The most interesting thing to happen in my entire life, and I’m not allowed to tell anyone?”

I just stared at her, unyielding.

Her shoulders slumped, and her face finally sagged a little. She plunked down on her bed, defeated. “You know, sometimes, you’re a very big buzzkill, Mom.”

“Oh, yeah?” I challenged her. “Well, Gabe’s son and his friends will be there. So, how’s that? Is your buzz alive again?”

“Oh my God. Trevor Walker? He is so hot! I’ll have my stuff ready in ten minutes. Coach Clint will understand. Oh my God! ” She shoved me out of her room, bursting with all the joy and exuberance of a kid on Christmas morning.

***

I called Gabe. “Well, I’m two for three. I’m ready. Meghan is packed and pretty much waiting by the door, but Mom’s digging in. She refuses to go.”

“Oh, okay.” I could practically hear him thinking as the seconds ticked by. “Do you think she’ll come around? I know you get worried when you’re separated.”

“Unfortunately, I don’t think she will. So, I don't know what to do. I can’t risk Meghan’s safety just because Mom won’t budge.

” I decided to ask the question. “I know you wanted everyone together, but is there any way Oscar could stay here with Mom while Meghan and I travel to Oregon with Lucy? I know she’d be safe with him.

” I prayed he would say yes. I had no ideas for a backup plan.

He was quiet for a moment. “I think that can work. No one is getting past Oscar, and Lucy can definitely handle bringing you and Meghan here.”

“Oh, that would be great. Can we call it a plan?” My fingers were still crossed.

“It’s a plan. I can’t wait to see you.”