Finally, on the fifth try, she answers, her voice thick with sleep.
“Talon?”
“What thefuckis wrong with you, Dahlia? Are you really so jealous, petty, and insecure that you would go to the fuckingmediawithmypersonal business because your feelings got hurt when I chose someone else over you? Do you have any idea what you’ve done, you heartless bitch?” There’s a pause on the other end of the line, and my anger only increases. Realizing I don’t actually want to hear any of her well-rehearsed lies, I add, “You’ll be hearing from my attorney,” and I hang up the phone.
“Talon?” Zeke calls from the hallway. “Are you okay?”
I’m on him as soon as he steps into the kitchen wearing black sweatpants and my Harvard hoodie. It’s the same hoodie he wore home from the hospital and the only one I’ve seen him wear since.
He’s so warm and solid against me, I melt into him easily, even though he’s smaller than me. Smaller, but stronger in so many ways.
“Coffee’s brewing. Should be ready in a few minutes,” I tell him, stalling.
“Why were you yelling?”
“I’m sorry I woke you,” I deflect.
“Talon, what’s going on?” he asks, getting frustrated with my evasion tactics.
“Dahlia loves drama. Thrives on it, actually. Because of that, she has a lot of resources in various media outlets,” I explain.
“Oookaaay,” Zeke says, drawing the word out. His brows are pinched together as he takes a seat on one of the barstools at the counter. “What does that have to do with you?”
“She’s angry with me for choosing you,” I say bluntly. “To get back at me, she’s selling my name to the highest bidder, and she’s putting a target on your back.” I open the article Eloise sent to me and hand him my phone.
“Okay, that’s not so bad,” he says rationally after reading the article.
“Zeke, they printed your name,” I point out, taking my phone back before he can scroll through the comments.
He shrugs. “I’m not embarrassed. And yeah, I’m younger than you, but neither of us can help that.”
He doesn’t get it, but I choose not to bring up the biggest issue here. I don’t want to burden him with the knowledge yet. Not so soon after what we shared last night.
Forcing a smile, I pour him a cup of coffee and slide it across the bar to him.
“Nonetheless, I need to speak with my attorney and my parents. Are you okay just hanging out here this morning?”
“As long as I’m with you, I’m content doing anything,” he replies. “How are you feeling after last night?” he asks before I turn to go.
“Complete,” I tell him honestly.
“Any residual pain?” he asks, more than a little concerned.
“Only the good kind,” I reassure him. “Zeke, you were perfect. I will remember last night for the rest of my life, and I wouldn’t change a thing about it.” I kiss his temple. “Please help yourself to anything in the fridge or pantry, and if nothing looks good, let me know, and we can order in.”
I hate to do it, but I leave him in the kitchen as I make my way to my office, thankful for the space and soundproof walls.
My first call is to my attorney.
“Jackie, it’s Talon,” I say when she answers the phone.
“I know, Talon. I’ve been taking your calls for twelve years,” she says, telling me she’s already annoyed with me for calling so early on a Saturday.
“Look, my ex ran her mouth to the media, and they’ve published Zeke’s name. I need a cease and desist drawn up,” I tell her. Jackie is the head of the legal team tasked with monitoring Derek’s restraining order. She’s well aware of who Zeke is by now.
Jackie sighs on the other end of the line.
“Did they lie?” she asks, and I can picture her pinching the bridge of her nose.
