It’s been three days since the break-in. Three days of Julie startling at every creak in Hollow Manor, of checking and rechecking locks, of barely sleeping, even with me holding her. This morning, she insisted on returning to her condo. The securitypany is installing everything today. I special-ordered state-of-the-art equipment.


    “I’m letting him win,” she says as we pull up to her building.


    “You’re not. And it’s not about winning or losing. This is about protecting you. Not just from Craig, but from anyone else who tries to snoop.” I squeeze her hand. “Thispany is the best. They’vepleted several celebrity homes across the US.”


    “Of course they have.” But she’s smiling.


    The instation team is already at work. Cameras are at every angle, motion sensors, and smart locks that’ll alert her phone if anyone even approaches the door. The lead installer—a former military guy named Jeffrey—walks us through everything with professional efficiency.


    “No one’s getting in here without you knowing,” he assures Julie. “This system is?—”


    Julie’s phone rings, cutting him off, and she silences it. “Sorry, please continue.”


    She shows me the screen, and I see Autumn’s name. She calls three more times as the guy continues walking Julie through how to use everything. He finishes his exnation, and her phone rings again.


    “Answer it,” I whisper to her.


    “Okay,” she says, putting it on speaker while she watches them install a camera. “What’s up?”


    “Jules, don’t freak out.” Autumn’s voice is serious in a way I’ve never heard before.


    Julie goes still. “What happened?”


    “I don’t know how to tell you this.” Autumn doesn’t speak for a very long time, and my heart begins to race. “There are photos of you posted online.”


    “What kind of photos?” I ask.


    Autumn sighs. “Intimate ones. They’re … they’re everywhere.”


    The blood drains from Julie’s face. She drops her phone, and it crashes to the ground. She hurries and picks it up. “Please exin.”


    “It’s Craig. He posted things he had no business posting. Said you were a whore who deserved to be exposed.”


    “No.” Julie’s hands start shaking. “No, no, no.”


    I’m already calling Asher as Julie breaks down while she talks to Autumn. My anger builds with every cracked word that releases from her mouth.


    “We have a situation,” I tell my brother when he answers.


    “What kind of situation?”


    “Revenge porn. Julie’s ex posted intimate photos of her online.”


    “Have you seen them?” he asks.


    “I haven’t.”


    “I will be in Cozy Creek as soon as I can,” Asher tells me. “Tell her not to look at anything online. It’s counterproductive. I’ll start making calls. We’re in crisis mode.”


    Asher ends the call, and Julie rushes over to me with devastation in her eyes. She’s got the pictures pulled up on her phone, and she’s sobbing.


    “Everyone’s seeing this, Nick. My parents, my coworkers, everyone in town.”


    “We’ll fix it,” I say, grabbing her hand.


    “You can’t!” She’s growing hysterical. “I’m so exposed. Those photos are out there forever. People have already screenshotted them. I’m probably on porn sites already.”


    “Sweetheart, I don’t think you understand how powerful mypany is. I will fix this.” I study her. “Is there anything else I need to be aware of? Are there videos? More pictures?”


    “No,” she whispers. “No, he posted everything he has.”


    The security team leaves, and within fifteen minutes, the doorbell rings.


    We freeze until she checks the live video feed on her phone. I lean over her shoulder and see it’s Mrs. Patrick, with several more of the Fairy Godmothers, all carrying casserole dishes and flowers.


    “It’s Mrs. Patrick, Mrs. Mooney, Mrs. Henderson, Mrs. Caldwell, and Mrs. Lutcher.” She points to all of them, then sighs. “They won’t let me ignore them.”


    I squeeze her shoulder. “I’ll answer it.”


    “Okay,” she says.


    I open the door, and Mrs. Patrick speaks.


    “We’re here for Julie! That bastard Craig needs to burn in hell for what he’s done!”


    They sweep in like an avenging army of grandmas, surrounding Julie with a fierce, protective energy. I try to stay professional while these women plot Craig’s demise.


    “The whole town’s talking about it,” Mrs. Caldwell says. “But not how Craig wanted. This is criminal.”


    “Sarah’s at the police station right now,” Mrs. Patrick tells us. “Apparently, he did the same thing to her. Posted her photos on some disgusting website months ago.”


    “Sarah?” Julie looks up. “Craig’s pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sarah?”


    Mrs. Patrick nods. “She’s been too ashamed to report it until now. But seeing what he did to you gave her courage.”


    Julie looks stunned, her face pale as she processes what Mrs. Patrick just said. “He did this to Sarah?”


    The Fairy Godmothers nod, sharing their outrage; their voices surround us.


    “You did nothing wrong, Julie,” Mrs. Mooney insists, patting her shoulder. “It’s shameful he went this low.”


    Mrs. Henderson adds, “The whole town knows it. We’re furious for you. And we’re not going to let this go. I’ve already had choice words with his mother.”


    Julie leads them into the kitchen, where they set their casserole dishes on the counter. “I thought … I thought this would ruin me.”


    I slide my arm around her. “You are not ruined. You’re the strongest woman I’ve ever met. I’ll burn the world down before I let anyone make you feel like less.”


    Her eyes glisten, but I see something spark behind the tears. It’s pure anger.


    Mrs. Patrick crosses her arms. “Sarah’s already pressing charges. We’ll all testify if needed—because many of us were in the coffee shop the day you told him to leave. Men like Craig don’t get to keep destroying lives in this town.”


    The other women agree. Their voices are a chorus of determination.


    Julie looks around at them, at me, then takes a shaky breath. “Then I’ll press charges too. He doesn’t get to take any more from me. Not my privacy, not my peace, not my future.”


    I’m filled with pride and fury as I kiss the top of her head. “Asher’s already mobilizing PR and legal. Craig has no idea what kind of war he just started.”


    The Fairy Godmothers p like it’s settled.


    “We’ll handle the gossip,” Mrs. Patrick says. “You handle thewyers.”


    Mrs. Mooney smiles. “I know this is hard to handle right now, but, honey, when you’re my age, you’ll be proud of a body like that. If I could go back in time, I’d personally walk around naked everywhere I went. I didn’t realize what I had in my youth.”


    Julie bursts intoughter. “Thank you. I guess that’s a silver lining.”


    And as the women around us talk strategy and vengeance, I know one thing for sure: Craig Downing picked the wrong woman to cross. He hasn’t gone after just Julie, but after every single one of us. He won’t win.


    Once everyone has left and we’re alone, Julie leans into me. “We’re in this together, right?”


    “Always,” I promise.


    She seems to rx.


    Four hourster, Asher arrives and doesn’t bother with pleasantries. Behind him are two people I don’t know.


    “Status?” he barks at one of them as soon as he enters Julie’s condo.


    “Photos went up at eight a.m. across all major tforms,” the woman reports. “We’ve got them down from Instagram and Facebook. Twitter’s being slower. Working on DMCA takedowns for the rest.”


    “Criminal charges?” Asher asks.


    “Colorado has revenge pornws. ss 1 misdemeanor, but with the restraining order vition and pattern of behavior with multiple victims, the DA might bump it to a felony,” the guy with him says.


    “Sorry, who the fuck are you two?” I ask, ncing between them.


    “Oh, this is Laurel and Patrick. The new interns I hired two weeks ago, who are learning how to handle crisis management,” Asher exins, then turns back to them. “Make sure it’s a felony. I want him buried. No one messes with my brother’s girlfriend.”


    Hearing Asher be so protective makes me smile.


    “Do you know where Craig is now?” I ask.


    “No,” Patrick says. “After posting the photos, it seems as if he’s disappeared. We have a private investigator trying to track him. His apartment is empty.”


    Julie goes even paler. “He’s hiding?”


    “He’s screwed, and he knows it,” Asher says. “This is a crime with more than enough evidence to convict. Because you filed that temporary restraining order, this will not be taken lightly. This is retaliation.”


    Julie turns her phone back on against my advice, and the notifications are overwhelming. I read over her shoulder—some messages are supportive, but others are disgusting. Strange men exining what they’d do to her. Some are even calling her horrible names.


    “Sweetheart, turn it off,” I whisper. “Seeing it won’t help.”


    Her phone rings before she can speak, and it’s her mom.


    “Mom,” Julie says, voice breaking.


    “Oh, honey.” Her mother sounds upset. “Your dad and I saw … we’re sick for you. Craig is a monster.”


    “Mom, I’m so sorry?—”


    “Don’t you dare apologize. He betrayed you.”


    Her father’s voicees through. “I’m going to find him and make him pay for this.”


    Julie excuses herself and goes upstairs so she can chat in private while more people arrive to support her. Autumn and Zane enter, and ire follows behind them with crystals and sage. Coffee shop employees stop by with messages of support.


    “Julie is trending,” Laurel says, shaking her head. “The story’s going viral.”


    “Shit.” I run my fingers through my hair. I can’t help but notice the spotlight is burning brighter because of me. Had Julie been dating anyone else, this might have been swept under the rug sooner, but because I’m attached to her, it’s getting unneeded visibility.


    My phone rings from an unknown number.


    “Don’t answer—” Asher starts, but I don’t listen.


    “Is this Nics Banks?”


    “What do you want?”


    “This is TMZ. Would you like toment on your girlfriend’s revenge-porn situation? We?—”


    I hang up, my jaw clenched.


    Juliees downstairs and hugs Autumn and ire, and they stay huddled together for minutes.


    “LadyLux has emailed you,” Asher says to me. “Do the interview tonight.”


    “Okay,” Julie says, turning toward me.


    “What’s wrong?” I ask, holding her cheeks in my hands, looking into her shining green eyes.


    “I’m worried this will ruin what we have. I could hurt your reputation, and?—”


    “Don’t worry about me,” I say, taking her hands. “I’m used to this. You matter more.”


    She searches my eyes. “I’m a liability. Your girlfriend’s nudes are trending.”


    “My girlfriend is trending because she was brave enough to stand up to an abuser.”


    A momentter, Autumn moves over to us with her phone open. It’s a video of Craig at the brewery, fighting.


    “Is this live?” Asher asks.


    “Yes,” Autumn tells him.


    “We need to call the authorities,” Zane says, unlocking his phone, but I’m already on it.


    Craig’s behavior is out of control.


    “He’s escting this,” Asher tells us. “A security system, even though it’s as locked down as Fort Knox in here, isn’t enough. You need personal protection.”


    Julie’s mouth falls open. “I can’t have a bodyguard. That?—”


    “You go nowhere alone,” Asher exins. “Not until he’s caught.”


    As I report themotion going on at the brewery, Julie breaks down.


    “I feel so vited. First my home, now my body—my privacy. He’s taken everything.”


    ire holds Julie tight as she cries, and I hate this. It’s breaking my heart.


    “No,” Autumn says. “He’s tried to take everything. But you’re still here. Still fighting. Still with Nick. You’re strong.”


    Zane and Asher stare at me.


    “Okay, sir, we already have a squad car heading out there now,” the dispatcher tells me.


    “Thank you,” I say and end the call.


    I move to Julie, and the girls step away as I wrap her in my arms. I kiss her hair, tell her how pretty she is and how we’re going to work through this.


    Asher clears his throat, moving close to us. “The LadyLux interview will be published tomorrow if you can return her email tonight. I know this sucks, but trust me when I say, I’ve cleaned up bigger messes than this. I am in no way minimizing what happened. It’s utter bullshit, and if I could chop off that guy’s dick and shove it down his throat, I absolutely would. However, it could be a lot worse. We will remove all instances of it that are posted. Eventually, a new scandal will happen, and everyone will move on to that. It’s the nature of this.”


    Julie nods, finding that fighting spirit. “Do you promise?”


    “Yes,” Asher confirms, then nces at me. “I’ll do whatever I can to fix this. Not to brag, but I’m the absolute best in the business.”


    “I know that,” I say, grinning.


    “Thank you. I’m … I’m so lucky to have all of you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”


    Autumn and Zane head out, promising to keep an eye on the town chatter. ire leaves crystals on every windowsill, kisses Julie’s cheek, and threatens to hex Craig into oblivion before slipping out the door.


    Asher lingers the longest, running through a list of follow-ups with his interns until I all but shove him out the door.


    “We’ve got it from here,” I tell him.


    “You’d better,” he warns, pointing at me like he’s the older brother. Then his expression softens when he looks at Julie. “Don’t worry. I’ve got you. I’ll check in first thing tomorrow.”


    When the door shuts behind them, the silence feels heavy and wee at the same time. Julie exhales, slumping against the counter like she’s been holding her body upright with willpower.


    “Alone atst,” I mutter, crossing the room to pull her into my arms.


    She lets herself melt into me for a long while before pulling back to meet my eyes.


    “Alone except for the countless casseroles, flowers, and half a dozen military-grade security cameras.”


    “Isn’t it romantic?” I ask, kissing her forehead with a smile.


    She snorts. “Okay, let’s get this interview over with before I lose my veryst nerve.”


    I grab myptop and lead her to the couch. She curls into me, her legs tucked under her. Julie’s chin rests on my shoulder as I open the email from LadyLux. A neat list of questions waits in my inbox, half thoughtful, half nosy in that ssic LadyLux way.


    Julie groans when she sees the first one. “Who is this person?”


    I grin. “Well, that’s the thing. No one knows because she’s anonymous. The rumor is that she’s a widowed socialite who’s part of all the elite circles. She writes the truth though, and she’s fair, even when many I run with don’t deserve it.”


    “Really?” Julie asks.


    “Yes. I’ve tried to figure out who it is, and I think I almost have it pinpointed, but I’ll never tell her secret.”


    “Who do you think it is?” Julie looks up at me.


    “One of my friend’s wives.”


    She bursts intoughter. “Scandalous.”


    “There’s something about the way she watches that makes me believe it’s her. However, her husband is an asshole, and I don’t want to stir the pot,” I say.


    “Wow.” She inhales. “Is this how your life is?”


    “Sometimes,” I admit. “Other times, it’s quiet. But enough about that. We should probably get started.”


    I read the first question out loud. “How are you coping with such a personal vition bing public?”


    Julie rolls her eyes. “How does she think I’m coping?”


    “Some of this will be shit, but she has a way with words, I promise. Just speak your truth,” I say, fingers hovering over the keys, ready to type whatever she says.


    “All I can do is survive. Having intimate and private photographs of me disyed in such a crude manner has been tough. There was a time when I thought I’d marry that man, and every day, I’m thankful I didn’t. I refuse to let his jealousy try to ruin and sabotage me. I have a strong support system—my friends, family, and the entire town of Cozy Creek—and I’m focusing on that instead of what Craig did to me.” She tilts her head. “How’s that?”


    “That’s good. I’m adding on the end … casserole. Lots and lots of casserole.” Iugh.


    “I’m excited about eating it,” she admits.


    “Me too,” I tell her. “After we do this, we’re digging in.”


    “Deal!” She bumps her shoulder into me.


    I read the next one. “How has this impacted your rtionship with Nics Banks?”


    Julie’s cheeks flush. “Oh no. Here we go.”


    I smirk. “Should I send her our sex tape?”


    She swats my chest. “Nick! It is seriously too soon to even joke about that.”


    “Sorry. I’m not sharing it with anyone other than you. I give you my word.”


    She looks at me. “Can we watch it together?”


    “After we finish these questions.” I study her face, knowing she needs this.


    I swear I see fire in her eyes.


    “Okay. Give me theptop.”


    “Sure, have at it,” I tell her as she ces her hands on the keys.


    Julie reads the questions and types away, her fingers flying over the keyboard. I watch her, but I allow her to give her words, until she gets to the end.


    “These questions are for you specifically,” she tells me, passing theptop back to me.


    I ce it on my upper thighs and read it.


    How does this make you feel, knowing that this scumbag of a man did this to your girlfriend?


    I’m upset for her. I’m upset that so many people are invading her privacy and supporting this cruel behavior. It makes me sick to my stomach, and I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy. However, I will be there for her through this.


    I move to the next question.


    Are any of the rumors true? Is this a fake rtionship to repair your reputation? You have to admit that all of this seems to have worked in your favor, and considering you are a Banks brother, it’s not below you to fabricate something like this. Thoughts?


    Julie doesn’t react. “What does that mean?”


    I nce at her. “Some people believe I’m here to repair my bad reputation and show the public I canmit so that the man-whore rumors will end.”


    “Did youe here for that?” she questions, tilting her head.


    “No. I don’t give a fuck about my reputation, babe. If I did, I wouldn’t have done half the shit in my past so publicly. Also, I’d never use you.”


    “Oh, Nick. I’m so sorry. I never thought you’d use me. My head wasn’t thinking that way.”


    “It’s fine. I just want you to know that I’d never do anything to hurt you. After what happened with Craig, you need to hear that. I promise you that on my sister’s grave,” I tell her. “And I’d never lie to my sister.”


    She tears up and wraps her arms around me. “Thank you. I’m so scared this is going to push you away.”


    “I’m not going anywhere. I’m right here.”


    I type the answer to thest question and set theptop on the coffee table.


    “LadyLux has her email. Can we eat casserole now?”


    I grin. “Later. First, victory kiss.”


    She arches a brow. “Victory kiss?”


    I tug her into myp, kissing her until she’sughing against my mouth. Her hands fist my shirt, pulling me closer, and suddenly, the room feels smaller, charged in that way it always does when I’m with her.


    When she pulls back, she whispers, “Can we watch it together?”


    I search her face. “You were serious?”


    She nods, green eyes fierce despite the nerves in them. “I want to see it. To see us.”


    I pull my phone from my pocket, unlock the private folder Asher built for me, and press y. The Riverside bedroom fills the screen. I see her blindfolded with wrists tied to the bed, both of us raw, reckless, alive.


    Julie’s breath hitches. “God, you look at me like?—”


    “Tell me,” I mutter into her ear.


    “Like I’m everything.”


    “Because you are.”


    As she continues to watch, her skin floods with goose bumps, nipples tighten beneath her shirt, and her thighs press together. I see it, feel it.


    “Show me what you need.”


    She swallows hard, then slides her hand under her joggers. My chest aches as I watch her. Every soft gasp, every tremble of her body wrecks me.


    “You’re sexy,” I whisper, forcing myself not to touch her. “You undo me, Jules.”


    Her eyes stay locked on the screen as her hand moves, her breath stuttering, the sound of it breaking me open.


    “Come for me, sweetheart,” Imand, knowing she’s close.


    She gasps my name and lets go, body convulsing with satisfaction. Julie on-screen is shattering at the exact moment as the one beside me. This is vulnerable, and so damn beautiful.


    “Nick, that was so good, but I need you,” she whispers, still shaking.


    I drag her into my arms, kiss her until she’s breathless, then lower her back onto the couch cushions. When I finally slide into her, it isn’t desperate. It’s slow, deep, and all-consuming. Every kiss, every brush of her hands is a promise. She clings to me, nails scratching down my back. Her hot mouth presses against my jaw, my throat, my lips.


    “You’re mine,” I whisper against her mouth.


    “I’ve been yours since the beginning,” she breathes back.


    From then on, every thrust, every kiss, every breath is mine. She wraps her legs around me, begging for me to spill inside her.


    When she whispers, “Please,” I give her everything ande undone with her.


    My kisses are filled with so much emotion that it makes her whimper.


    Later, when we copse together, she buries her face in my chest.


    “I don’t ever want this to end,” she confesses in my ear.


    I hold her tighter, kiss her hair. “It doesn’t have to.”


    Craig can try to take her home, her privacy, and her past, but he’ll never take this.


    This is ours. And I want forever.