Page 20 of The Problem with Playboys

She didn’t recognize the number the text had come from and she wasn’t sure whether she should reply. But she did know that she had to figure out who was behind this and, even more important, what they wanted.

Who is this?she typed. Her heart raced as she waited for a reply.

I think you know.

Chloe most definitely didnotknow. But she had a sinking feeling it might be related to Marcus and the problems that had brought her down to Miami in the first place. Did this have something to do with Little Black Book?What do you want?

Don’t try to stop me.

She twisted her lips. The answer was of little help. It only raised more questions.

From what? How can I stop you if I don’t know who you are?

You should know who I am by now.

Are you Little Black Book?

You and your stepbrother need to stop interfering with my mission or I won’t be so discreet with the photos.

Chloe dropped her phone on the bed like it was made of fire. “Parker!” Her heart was racing. What in the world was going on?

“What?” He appeared in her doorway. Wrapped in a towel. “What’s wrong?” His hair was dripping wet. Droplets of water beaded on his chest. His shoulders were heaving and he was breathing hard. These were not things she needed to see right now.

“Why don’t you have any clothes on?”

“Because I was in the shower and you yelled my name. I was worried you were hurt or something had happened.”

Even in this moment of crisis, she appreciated his concern for her. “Someone found out about last night.”

His eyes narrowed in confusion. “Last night?”

“Yes, Parker. You and me. Having sex. Someone was taking pictures. It has to be Little Black Book. They said we’re supposed to stop interfering with their mission. I don’t know what that means.”

“Show me.” He gestured to her phone, which she picked up and unlocked. “Wow. That’s us?”

“Someone was spying on us.”

“It’s grainy as hell, but your ass looks amazing.”

“Will you please be serious? This isn’t a joke. Do you think it could be Little Black Book?”

“It has to be. I don’t know who else it could be. Let’s see if they’ll answer a call.” He pressed the screen a few times and the speakerphone came on—a ringtone followed by three beeps and an automated message. “The number you have reached is no longer in service.”

“That was fast.”

“They told me to stop trying to stop them, but I’m not. I’m just doing my job.”

“Don’t worry about it. They’re probably just messing with you.”

Chloe shook her head. Something told her there was more to it than that. “We can’t be around each other anymore, Parker. We’re playing with fire. We’ll walk Marcus through his interview and part ways.”

“That wasn’t the threat. They simply told you to stop interfering.”

“Yes. I know that. But if my mother finds out that I did that with you, two days after her divorce from your father became final, she would never forgive me.” She hadn’t felt this uneasy in a very long time. She was used to problems belonging to her clients, not her. She had no objectivity. All she could see was dark clouds ahead. All she felt was panic. “We can’t even be seen together. I should probably get on a commercial flight back to New York. Just so we don’t risk it.”

“Don’t be silly. You walk into the main terminal at the airport and there’s far more chance someone will spy on you there. We’re going straight from the house to the car to my plane. It’s fine.”

“Why are you acting like this is nothing?”