Tease Me (Private Listing #4)

“Have it taken down, Grant. I’ll call you in a few minutes.” I disconnect the call and draw Madison down on my lap, needing her close.

“‘Known Man Whore Cooper Graham Takes a Naive Farm Girl for His Bride’?” Madison shakes her head. “What is this?”

“We don’t know.” I rub my forehead and sigh. This is the last thing we need. “It must have just shown up because my mother and my publicist just contacted me.”

Madison turns to look in my eyes. “Any idea who could have done this?”

I stroke my hand down her back. Her being close helps calm me down. “A spurned ex? Leighton comes to mind. Elizabitch? Your stalker? Some other jealous woman? Who knows?”

Madison’s lips press into a fine line as she turns to read the rest of the article. “Do you really think it could be the stalker?”

The tremor in her voice makes me pause. The stalker is getting to her. She can’t live her life in fear of his next move. I take a deep breath. “I don’t know, sweetheart, but we’ll find out. It’s only on one site so far. My publicist should be able to get it taken down before it spreads.”

She draws in a breath and lets it out slowly. I can almost feel her putting her shield back up.

“Should I go get Theo?”

I wrap my arms around her and hold her to me, breathing in her floral scent for a moment. I almost wish the stalker would come at me. Then I could fight back. That’s the most frustrating part of this. He decides when to strike. He decides how to terrorize her. We have no way to protect her besides putting her in a tower. Which isn’t fair to her.

When I release her, I help her to her feet. “Yes. Get Theo.”

She turns and her blue eyes lock on mine. “I’m sorry?—‍”

“This isn’t on you, sweetheart. I’m just surprised it took someone this long to post something.” I give her my best cocky smile to hide the anger simmering below the surface. “What can I say? Women love me. It’s probably someone bitter that I didn’t choose them. Don’t think any more about it, sweetheart.”

She gives me that soft smile that punches me right in the heart before going to get Theo.

My smile slips as soon as she leaves the room. I capture the article with a screenshot because Grant will get it taken down. That’s why our family uses his firm. I attach it in an email to Seth, Blake, and Noah.

Just had this brought to my attention. An “engagement announcement” posted early this morning. Publicist is working to take it down. Madison is aware. Either some ex or stalker. Given the timing, I’m leaning toward the stalker.

The door opens, and I smile at Madison as Theo walks in with his computer bag over his shoulder. His usually crisp shirt is a little wrinkled and there are bags under his brown eyes. Madison closes the door.

“You okay?” I can’t help but ask.

“Just a late night.” Theo cracks a crooked smile. “I get a little obsessed when I catch a trail.”

“Coffee?”

“That would be great.” He pulls out his laptop while I message Madison to bring him coffee.

“You found something then?” Right now, I feel like we’re on the losing team and I need a win. Something that will get us ahead in this war.

“The caller sounded male. He used a burner cell phone, bought with cash. But I traced the call to this apartment building. It has too many apartments for me to narrow it down.” Theo hands over a paper with 641 Oakland Dr, Brooklyn written on it. “Figured you might find out if an employee lives there.”

The tightness in my chest eases. It’s definitely a step in the right direction. “We’ll cross reference. You did an amazing job, Theo.”

“Thanks. That means a lot coming from you.” He grins.

Madison comes in with two coffee cups and hands one to me and the other to Theo. “Do you need anything else?”

I shake my head. As she turns and walks away, I enjoy the view. When I shift my attention to Theo, I notice he’s enjoying the view too. When he turns back, his cheeks darken at my raised eyebrow.

“She’s a gorgeous woman. You’re a lucky man.” Theo’s words calm the jealous beat of my heart. He’s right. She’s gorgeous and she’s mine.

“Thanks. I am lucky.” I take a sip of my coffee. “Are you ready for today?”

“The dummy number is set up to come to my office. I’ll be ready when they call again.” Theo is key to the honey trap. With Cliodhna, we were off-the-books, but this time we have everything lined up to take the spy down legally.