From an unknown fucking number.
“Wait, I’m getting something now. Hold on, I’m putting you on speaker so I can read it.”
I tap the screen, put Will on speaker, and then open the text.
Unknown Contact:I’m sure I have your girlfriend’s attention. To keep all these images out of the press, you’ll need to pay me $180,000. I’ll be in touch with more instructions.
I read it aloud to Will, but my ears have started to ring.
“What a stupid motherfucker,” I growl.
“I take it you know who it is.”
“For fuck’s sake he’sstupid. My former agent. He called me just yesterday and asked me toloanhim that exact amount of money.”
Will huffs out a laugh. “It’s amazing you did as well in your career as you did.”
“He’s desperate. He owes the wrong people.”
“Not your problem.”
“No, not my problem. But now I have to prove it. I have my brother, who’s with the Secret Service, looking into the phone records.”
“Wow, that’s a cool connection to have,” Will says.
“I know. I’ll call Mac and get things going on that end.”
“I’ll call my brother, too, and be in touch. And Ryker, I know you think you know this man, but if he’s desperate enough to do this, don’t let your guard down.”
“Yeah, I thought of that too. Thanks, Will.”
I hang up, drag my hands down my face, and take a moment to feel ...sad.
Andy was my agent since I started in the league. He always went to bat for me, got me good contracts, and was good to me. Hell, I recommended him to other players. It was only in the past year, when he could sense that I was nearing the end of my career, and he got desperate, that things got bad.
He was never my friend, but I respected him.
I trusted him.
And now he’s nothing.
I hear movement from the bedroom, so I leave the office and walk to the kitchen to make my girl some coffee, and when I return upstairs, I find her just coming out of the bedroom, ready for the day, yawning.
“Is that for me?” she asks.
“Of course.” I pass her the mug and lean down to kiss her pouty lips. “Good morning, sweetheart.”
“Morning.” She sips her coffee and hums. “That’s good. It always tastes better when you make it.”
I can’t help but grin at that. Christ, she’s cute. “It does?”
“Mm-hmm.” She steps into my arms and snuggles against my chest. “I thought you’d be out with the guys.”
“No, I have to figure some stuff out first.”
She frowns up at me. “What’s happening wi—”
I cup her face and kiss her softly. “Don’t worry about it. I don’t want you to think about it. I’m handling everything, and when there’s news to share, I’ll fill you in.”
