Chapter 36 - Victoria

Victoria

F ifty direct messages in less than five minutes.

None of them were particularly kind.

Neither were the dozens and dozens of comments on any of the photos in my feed.

Maybe I’d been a little too overzealous when I insisted we let Jordan go through with his alleged smear campaign. The first so-called article exploded Friday afternoon, followed by two more on Saturday.

Photos of me and Tre Gideon from about a year ago saturated every gossip site imaginable. Most were harmless, but a few showed us getting more than cozy at a nightclub. One in particular caught us in the middle of a not-so chaste kiss.

That headline was eye roll inducing.

Tongues WAG Over Sultry Moments Between The Keeper’s Girl and Past Lovers

Being called a WAG wasn’t the worst thing I’ve experienced. The tabloids use it to refer to most wives and girlfriends of high-profile footballers. Can’t get any more high-profile than England’s number one.

Additional pictures featured me with other famous American football players. Only a handful of them were genuine. Those, again, were harmless.

Most of the artificially generated pictures were salacious.

The narrative was pretty clear. Some commenters labeled me as a “jersey chaser.” That seemed to catch fire and showed up in multiple headlines.

“Shutting off your notifications will help,” Hannah said, standing next to me on the sideline.

“I did.”

“Then put your phone away. Torturing yourself won’t make it any better.”

Hannah didn’t know what Xavier and I had planned. I had to play along like this was a burden, rather than exactly what I’d expected.

I tucked the phone in my pocket and watched some of the players do their pre-game warm-ups. The Legends were set to take the field for their highly anticipated international game later this afternoon. For his part, Tre remained professional and ignored the noise.

Granted, there wasn’t much noise swirling around him. The British press found me much more interesting. Xavier morphed into protector mode the second the stories broke. He’d been traveling for his away game in Bournemouth but managed to text and call as much as he could.

He’ll arrive here shortly, and then phase one of the plan will be set in motion.

When warm-ups finished, I escorted Noah, Jax, and Dante to the gaggle of reporters waiting in the end zone. Most of the questions for the guys were generic and simple. They could rattle off the answers in their sleep.

This was only a brief interview session, lasting about ten minutes.

Polite as always, the guys thanked the reporters and left. I hung back to finalize the post-game arrangements for locker room access.

Whispers fluttered through the reporters. Several glanced at their phones, their eyes widening.

At the same time, a few looked over at the sideline. I didn’t have to look to know who they saw. I could feel Xavier’s intense stare ripping through me.

One reporter held up his phone and asked, “Would you mind commenting on this latest photo?”

Expectant faces stared at me. My phone vibrated. According to the spreadsheet, another wave was due right about now.

“Excuse me for a minute,” I told them, walking away.

When I looked at the phone, my heart thundered.

Panic blossomed in my stomach. Even though I knew when the pictures would be released, I didn’t know what they’d show.

I stared at the image of me in a silver silk gown with my legs wrapped around Xavier’s waist, and pure ecstasy etched on my face. He had me pressed against an ivy covered wall. Lights from the Manhattan cityscape glowed in the background. Even though the angle was high and most likely taken from a distance, whoever captured this photo used a powerful lens. It was easy to see what we were doing.

The terrace.

The night we reunited at the fundraiser.

Our intimate moment in a public setting was immortalized in Jordan’s sick and twisted game.

Anger feasted on my panic, obliterating it. I straightened my shoulders. Now wasn’t the time to shrivel up and call it quits. Now was the time to enter the arena.

Microphones and cameras pointed at me when I walked toward the reporters. Xavier remained on the sideline, watching my every move. An impassive expression dominated his features but his eyes flared with outrage.

I knew his instinct was to protect me and unleash his fury in front of the cameras. Convincing him to let me handle this part of our plan hadn’t been easy. But even now, behind his anger and fear, I saw his trust and support.

“As you no doubt have seen, I’ve become somewhat of a minor celebrity on all the gossip sites this weekend.” A smattering of nervous laughter rolled through the group. “I’ll keep this short because today is about the New York Legends playing their first international game here in London. Our partnership with Royal City is exciting and we can’t wait to watch it flourish in the coming years.”

Despite my racing heart, I was strangely calm. Scanning the reporters, I locked eyes with the actual Justin Kirby from the London Independent News. He and I had a little meeting yesterday to discuss what I’d be saying here today, and what he’d ask. Fitting, since Jordan pretended to be him when he called the stadium last spring.

“It’s come to my attention that I’m the target of an elaborate blackmail scheme. Many of the photos are fakes. My personal files were hacked and the photos were manipulated digitally.” I took a deep breath. “Others are real. All of them are meant to intimidate me into paying out a large sum of money.”

A wave of murmurs rumbled quietly through the reporters.

“Steps are being taken to shut this campaign down. That’s all I have to say. Please enjoy the game.”

Justin lifted his hand, recognizing his cue.

I gestured toward him. “I’m not taking questions, Justin.”

“This seems personal,” he pressed, ignoring my statement just like any good journalist would. “Calculated. You’re being portrayed in a very specific light. Is there a jilted lover pulling the strings?”

I suppressed a pleased smile. He’d finessed our agreed-upon question, teeing up my answer perfectly.

“It is calculated. But it’s not a jilted lover. Just someone desperate for attention.” I stepped to the side. “Thanks again. See you all after the game.”

The murmuring grew louder as I walked toward Xavier. His sapphire eyes burned in dynamic blue flames.

“You were brilliant.” He reached for my hand.

“Years of training.” I leaned closer and whispered, “Are they watching?”

His sinful, dark smile slid through me like rich, molten caramel. “Yes, love.”

Xavier lowered his mouth to mine, softly brushing our lips together. Sliding his fingers through my hair, he pulled it gently to tilt my head back. Our mouths moved together in whispers of warmth and softness.

Then he captured my lower lip between his teeth and bit down hard.

Yanking me into his chest, he deepened the kiss. I surrendered to his touch and taste, losing myself in him. If my personal life was going to be splashed across the internet for everyone to see, it would be on my terms.

Xavier never left my side the rest of the day. Well, except for the game because he wasn’t allowed on the sideline even with his all access credential.

“Can’t really break this policy,” I teased. “Go hang out with Cade and your teammates. We’ll meet after the post-game interviews.”

The Legends ended up winning a nail biter against Indianapolis. Our kicker scored the winning field goal as time expired. The atmosphere was unlike anything I’d experienced in all my years in the league. Fans sang songs, chanted, cheered, and just had a hell of a time. There were points in the game where it was hard to decipher which team they were rooting for.

I escorted the last of the reporters out of the locker room.

“We have to come back next season,” Noah exclaimed, tossing his dirty uniform in the laundry bin. “That crowd was incredible.”

“Even when they booed you?” Dante smirked.

“Pretty sure it was you, Milano. That pass was right on the numbers. Catch it next time.” Noah turned to me. “You coming out with us, Victoria?”

“I sure am. You all better be on your best behavior.”

The equipment crew made short work of gathering everything and packing crates for the flight home. Normally, we’d go straight to the airport after an away game, but we’re officially on a bye week now so the plan was to meet at some swanky lounge in London.

After the last few days, a relaxing night out was needed.

Xavier waited for me in the hall outside the locker room. He handed me his credential with a smirk.

“Next time, I want the same access as you.”

“I’m going to have to deny your request.”

“A flat out denial? Again?” He pouted. Why the hell was that so sexy?

“You’ll have to come work for the Legends if you want that kind of access,” I teased, tucking the pass in my bag. “You know. Be the punter or something.”

“Wow.” He laughed. “And here I thought you liked me.”

The taxi ride to Constellations was quick. When we pulled up, I noticed Xavier clench his jaw.

“Not your favorite place?”

“I like it just fine.” He opened the door and stepped onto the sidewalk. “Haven’t been here since I chased Jordan down that alley.”

Shocked, I took his outstretched hand and followed him inside.

Dimly lit in shades of blue, cream, and lavender, the whole room gave off a relaxed, modern vibe. Some of my co-workers sat at the bar. Others crowded around tables, clinking glasses and enjoying appetizers.

“This place is incredible,” I marveled, settling into a plush velvet couch.

Xavier draped an arm over my shoulders and dipped his head to my ear. “It has its moments.” A light kiss warmed the skin on my cheek. “Still nothing new?”

“Nope. I’m guessing that means he got the message.”

“His next move won’t be subtle.”

“I know.” I rested a hand on his thigh. “I’m counting on it.”

A low, sexy laugh rumbled in his chest. “You are fiery.”

Turning toward him, I grinned. “You love it.”

“I do. Makes me not want to be a gentleman in front of all these people.”

His smooth, sultry tone hit all my hot buttons, and then some. When he licked his lower lip, I inched my hand up his thigh.

“You always look like you’re savoring a secret that thrills you to no end when you do that.”

“Do I?” He leaned close and stroked his tongue on my mouth. “What secret do you think it is?”

Laughter and conversations faded into the background until it was nothing more than a dull hum. Nobody else existed except for us. All I felt was Xavier.

Desire crashed through me. I haven’t been with him since I arrived here three days ago. As spontaneous and hot as our moment on the patio had been, I craved more.

The muscles in his thigh tightened. I loved how his lethally athletic body reacted to me. It was perfectly honed for competition…and dirty, rough, unbridled sex.

Our breathing slowed, dovetailing into one connected breath.

Wordless promises passed between us.

“I don’t know what your secret is,” I whispered. “Want to know mine?”

Slipping a lock of hair behind my ear, Xavier slanted his head and lowered his mouth to mine. “Tell me all of them.”

Lost in the heady fog of his scent and a fervent blue stare, I responded, “I love when you’re not a gentleman with me.”

He’d just locked me in a deep, passionate, very unsuitable-for-public-places kiss when I heard, “For fuck’s sake you two. My virgin eyes can’t handle this.”

Xavier groaned in frustration at Cade’s interruption. I glanced up at the striker.

“Virgin eyes?” Amusement colored my question as he flopped onto the couch next to us.

“Not buying it, huh?” Cade’s little smile charmed me.

“Is there something you wanted, Gallagher?” Xavier’s tone dripped razor blades.

“Don’t let me stop you from shagging like minks.” His normally playful demeanor faded. “Just needed to get away from the party for a few.”

Xavier regarded his friend curiously. “Everything alright?”

Cade waved a dismissive hand. “Yeah. Maybe I’m getting too old for all this.”

Releasing me from his embrace, Xavier leaned closer to his friend. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Cade shy away from a crowd. He and Xavier were practically the same person when it came to attention.

I glanced towards the table where Jax, Dante, and Noah were sitting. Tracey was also there along with Hannah. Bennet was nowhere to be seen but Alex hovered in the shadows. A hulking figure appeared next to him. Marcus. Of course .

“I’ll give you boys a few minutes to chat.” I stood up, halted by Xavier’s strong grasp. Shaking my head, I gestured to my friends. “I’ll be right over there. You can stare at me the whole time.”

“I will.”

Laughing, I made my way toward the center of the lounge. Hannah caught my eye and rushed over.

“Are you okay?” Her breathless concern was touching. “Your impromptu press conference is everywhere. Blackmail? I can have my secur—”

“I’m okay. I promise. Just controlling the narrative.”

“Who’s behind all of this?” Her brown eyes flared with anger.

“Hey,” Noah shouted. “No secret meetings. This is mandatory fun. Besides, if you two are whispering about what I think you’re whispering about, it looks like Victoria’s fuck around and find out message is winning over the headlines.”

“This is why we don’t trust anyone else with our media handling,” Dante declared, glancing over my shoulder. “Right, Chels?”

I spun around and came face to face with Dante’s sister. The pretty brunette looked casual and cute in her brother’s jersey. She tossed a sarcastic grin at Dante before greeting me. “Glad I could finally catch up with you. I’ve been dying to chat about the foundation.”

Hannah’s eyebrows shot up. “Are you the one interested in the director position?”

Chelsea clasped her hands together and nodded. “I think I might be. Can we meet for lunch this week? Unless you’re busy with…” She gestured toward Xavier.

“He goes back to training on Tuesday. I’ll have loads of time.” I looked at Hannah. “Are you sticking around London for a bit? You should come with us.”

“I’m here until Thursday.” Her smile didn’t touch her eyes. “I’d love to have a girls’ lunch.”

“It’s settled,” Chelsea exclaimed. “I’ll make the arrangements. I know this great little cafe in Knightsbridge. And then if you’re both up to it, we can hit Harrods.”

“Food and shopping?” I laughed. “I’m in.”

The three of us joined the guys. Every so often I’d glance over at Xavier and Cade. Their interactions always reminded me of siblings.

A balled up napkin flew into my lap. Speaking of behaving like siblings…

“Oh shit. Sorry, Victoria. That was meant for Jax.” Noah’s laugh drowned out his apologetic shrug.

“Noodle arm,” Jax retaliated.

Shaking my head, I turned my attention back to Xavier and Cade.

They appeared deep in conversation. I figured Xavier was filling in his friend on what we put in motion this weekend.

Cade’s eyes strayed to our table, lingering on something.

Someone?

Relaxing into the chair to make it look like I wasn’t being nosy, I followed his gaze. The only people sitting in his line of sight were Dante and Chelsea.

Chelsea?!

Nah. From what I’ve seen of Cade’s taste in women, Chelsea was not in the same universe as his type.

Before I fully turned my attention back to my friends, I noticed a dark-haired man leaning against the bar, sipping on a drink. Tall, broad shouldered, angry. My heart seized. He wouldn’t fucking dare.

He would.

Jordan McKennie swept his eyes through the lounge, landing squarely on me.