Salvation (Surrender 3)

“It’s Ember,” I say sheepishly.

“Shit, sorry, I didn’t even look at the ID before answering.”

“I take it you’ve seen the article?”

“Yeah, fucking liars are going to pay for printing that trash.”

“What’s going on?”

“My parents are on their way to Raven’s right now. Dad is doing all he can to get the article pulled down. Finn’s already on campus and on his way to Raven. Declan is going crazy. He’s furious, like homicidal rage. The band is on the way to the house, too. The plan is to surround RJ with support and find out how the hell this article was even released. There are some details that only a few people are privy to. Someone has gotten access to her personal files.”

“I can’t even imagine how she’s going to handle this.”

“This is a lot different than a few fan girls following her to my place and posting pictures online. This is a deliberate attack on her character.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“Not right now. I need to get to her place and get a feel for the situation. Don’t y’all have some sort of shower this weekend?”

“Yes.”

“That’ll be good for her.”

“Let me know if you need anything from me.”

“I hate to say it, but obviously, dinner tonight is out. “

“Don’t even worry about that.”

“Can I come over after I deal with this?”

“Of course, just let me know when you’re on the way. I’ll be home after work.”

“See you in a few hours.” He hangs up.

Aunt Chloe walks out of the back room with an assortment of jewelry for me to look at.

“Was that Robbie?”

“Yeah, something terrible happened today.” I shove the article in her hands and watch her face scrunch as she reads it.

“These types of things happen all the time. What are they going to do?”

“I’m not sure, but I’d be very afraid if I was this journalist. Raven has some very protective men in her life. This guy may not be walking by the end of the day.”

She laughs lightly and shakes her head. “I’m not one to condone violence, but this guy has it coming. But on another note, I need to tell to you something.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I talked to your dad today and let it slip about Robbie.”

My face heats. “What does that mean?”

“I may have told him you were dating an ex-Marine, current security specialist, who looks at you like you hung the moon. That he has a good family in the area, and his sister is marrying a rock and roll celebrity. I may have also mentioned you were taking a trip with him to Florida.”

“That’s a lot to let ‘slip’. Sounds like to me you gave a biography.”

“I may have also mentioned that you are crazy about him, and I think you’ve found the man you’re going to marry.”