Virtual Reality

by Kitty Cox

  He chuckled and rubbed her shoulder. "Darlin', it's been all over the local gossip columns at home. Ever since you showed up with me to Mycah's art show, there's been speculation. That's all this is." But she didn't miss him reaching back to tap Cynister's shoulder and pass over her phone. "C'mon, let's go get some real breakfast."

  "No," she hissed. "Adam, someone has my phone number."

  "And your name is on the website. Believe it or not, putting those two things together is easier than most people think. Almost all social media connects your mobile to your account." He leaned a little closer. "Let our resident spook deal with it while you get something to eat. I'm not about to let you starve on my watch, and the food here is something I'm very proud of."

  With a sigh, she gave in. Adam had that tone that made it clear he wouldn't give up, and she'd already figured out exactly how stubborn he could be. It was how they ended up together, after all.

  "Ok," she agreed.

  Cynister held up her phone, letting her have it back. "I pulled the number and will see what I can do, Lith."

  "Thanks, bro."

  Adam guided her out of the hall while all around them, people were still smashing at their keys, locked in their own battles. Her team might be out of the running, but the tournament wasn't close to done. When they passed the high table with the professional gamers, she paused to watch QQ for a moment. She looked vicious, powerful, and yet still beautiful as she worked the map, laughs bursting from the guys seated around her.

  That was what Kate wanted to be. Nothing seemed to scare Riley Andrews. Everything made Kate feel either nervous or insecure. She knew it shouldn't, but she'd even been scared of Adam when they'd first met! Evidently, Marshall really had done more damage than she expected, and now someone else was trying to carry on his work. Well, that was what the text message on her phone felt like. Another punch from another man. This one just happened to be mental instead of physical.

  The best part was that Adam really did understand. Ever since they'd had that talk in his apartment, he'd stopped looming over her to protect her and had switched to helping prop her up. Yeah, she'd noticed. It was just more proof that he was really as amazing as she thought. That was why the text bothered her so much.

  If it got out that she was sleeping with her boss, her gamer friends would think she was cheating on IceMan. If they showed pictures, his real life would no longer be his dirty little secret. These games were the last place he had left to feel comfortable, and she didn't want her crap to ruin that for him. He didn't deserve it.

  Not that she did either, but at least she was used to ignoring that kind of crap. Marshall had accused her of everything. Her skin was a lot thicker than most people would guess. It was why she was so good at her job. She didn't really care if most people liked her. All she wanted was to like herself, and she did. Lately, she couldn't imagine being happier.

  But she kept her thoughts to herself. Adam insisted that they head to the dining room to sit down for a real meal. Most gamers were hitting up the fast food places across the street or had raided the complimentary buffet by the check-in desk. That meant they didn't have to wait long for a table.

  She was halfway through her pancakes when her phone started vibrating again. At first, she tried to ignore it, but her new friend was so insistent that Adam could hear the vibration. Wiping his face clean first, he held out his hand.

  "Let me see that thing, darlin'?"

  So she passed it over. "I don't want to turn it off incase Nancy needs me for something, or the hotel has an issue."

  He waved that away. "Least of our concerns." Then he swiped at the screen, and his jaw clenched. "Fuck," he hissed, pulling out his own phone to send off a text.

  "What?" she asked.

  He didn't answer, tapping at her phone with one hand while waiting for a response on his own. When it came back, he dropped his on the table and focused on hers. Seeing the intensity on his face, she no longer wanted to finish her breakfast, and what she'd already had now felt like a brick in her guts.

  "Adam?" she asked.

  "Hang on, darlin'. I'm checking something, so I don't end up lying to you."

  She blew out a heavy breath, hoping it would make her feel a little less tense, but it didn't help. Then, when the chair beside her was pulled out, she jumped in place, a little squeak coming out. Thankfully, it was just Cynister.

  "Whatcha got, bro?" he asked.

  Adam slid the phone over to him. "She's been doxxed."

  "What?" Kate asked. "What does that mean?"

  Cynister didn't say anything for a moment, his eyes scanning the screen of her phone. "You need to change her number. Like, yesterday," he finally told Adam.

  "That's her personal phone," he said.

  "Don't care," Cynister told him. "For the rest of the weekend, she needs to be in the wind. Her info's out there. And if Google can pull it up, that means it's definitely on 4Chan and worse."

  "Yeah," Adam breathed, grabbing his phone to tap at it again. "I'll have Nancy move all the business to mine."

  "Adam!" Kate hissed, but he was already talking to whoever had answered.

  Cynister reached over and lightly touched her arm. "Babe, doxxing is when some fuckwad hacks all your personal information. And I mean all of it. Then they post it online in as many places as they can, hoping it spreads faster than it's taken down. That's why your phone is crazy. Anyone watching the stream of this has seen your face, and now they can call you directly - or text."

  "And they know where I live?" she gasped.

  He nodded. "They problem is that with what they have now, they can get more. Assume your entire life is out there."

  "Is this what that text meant?" She waved at her phone. "The one that said he'll make sure everyone knows?"

  Cynister's eyes flicked up, landing on Adam. "I'm not willing to bet on it. You're dating the man who owns the company you work for, Lith. There are people who'll think you're fucking him to get a raise."

  Yeah, now she really felt sick. "And that's why they did this?"

  "Nah. They did this to make your life hell. Most people don't realize how damaging doxxing really is. Not until it happens to them."

  "What do you mean?"

  He reached over to grab her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "With your address and your social, there's a good chance I can get your credit card numbers. Add in your driver's license and date of birth? Just think about it. What information do all your private accounts ask for? And when you forget your password? How do they verify you? They use the details that have all just become public."

  Slowly, she was starting to realize how bad this really was. "You're saying my life's just been hacked?"

  "Worse. I'm saying that all the tools to hack your life over and over have just been handed to the worst people in the world, and there's no way to ever erase them. You don't just need to change your locks, babe. You're going to have to change everything, and the sooner the better."

  Adam hung up his phone in the middle of that, catching the end. "I need you to call your landlord and give permission for Nancy and Janelle to get into your apartment. They're going to have your stuff moved out this weekend."

  "Where am I going to stay?" she asked.

  "With me," he promised. "I don't care which room you want. I have the space, and you're welcome to it for as long as you need. I'm paying the penalty for breaking your lease." He held up a hand before she could complain. "You were targeted because I made you give that fucking speech. You didn't even want to, but I thought this was a great idea, so I'm paying for it, and that's not up for discussion."

  She just nodded. "And the rest?"

  He looked to Cynister. "You know of anyone who can handle getting her life back? Money's not an issue."

  "Fuck," Cyn chuckled. "I know that, but lucky for you, I don't charge my bros."

  "Legally," Adam told him.

  Cynister nodded his head once. "She'll need to spend most of Monday calling the places c
losed over the weekend, but we can do this. By Friday, this will all be little more than a bad dream." Then he looked back to Kate. "But everything that's out there will stay. You can't go back to the apartment."

  "Marshall," she breathed. "He's a gamer. What are the chances he'd see this?"

  "Too big to risk," Adam told her. "The last thing you need is him breaking into your place to hurt you again, and restraining orders don't always stop men like him."

  She nodded, knowing he was right. The problem was that it didn't feel real. They were telling her she had to do this stuff, but all that had really happened was her phone ringing a little too much. A little voice in the back of her mind said it had to be some trick. A devious way for Adam to get her to move in with him, but she knew better. That was something her ex would've done. Not Adam. Never Adam.

  "I need to change all my passwords and secret questions, huh?" she asked.

  "Yeah," Cynister told her. "And make up some answers. Things like the first street you lived on? Pick something you imagined as a child, or a place from a book you read. The kind of thing no one would realize the significance of."

  "So what you're saying is that I'm going to have to learn about all this virtual crap whether I like it or not." She groaned. "This isn't fair! What did I ever do to these people?"

  "They're not right in the head," Cynister told her. "Think of them like slightly less dangerous versions of serial killers. The kind of people willing to do this shit? They're fucked up. The problem is that online, it's real easy to find friends who think just like you." He reached over for Kate's phone. "You mind if I take this?"

  She shook her head. "Not like I'm going to use it, and I have a funny feeling I don't want to see any of that."

  "No, babe, you really don't." Then he stood. "Cancel her cards today, Ice. Lock her down."

  "Yeah," Adam agreed. "I'm going to take her up to the room and deal with that now. You know where to find me?"

  Cynister lifted her phone. "I'll text."

  With that, he left, leaving her and Adam alone. She couldn't believe this was happening. This weekend was supposed to have been fun and relaxing. Her biggest problem should've been getting over a few minutes of public speaking. She wasn't important enough for things like this to happen to her!

  "I'm so sorry," she whispered.

  "No," Adam said, leaning over to catch her hands. "This is not your fault. Kate, I'm the one who should be apologizing."

  "But you just said I have to live with you, and I know how much you hate women in your place."

  "Just stop." He caught her chin and made her look at him. "Tell that voice in your head to shut up for a moment, and listen to me, darlin'. First off, you're not just some woman. You're my girlfriend, and one I happen to like being around. No, this wasn't how I wanted to get you to move in with me, but I'm also not heartbroken about it."

  "You're not?"

  He shifted his hand to cup her cheek. "I hate every second I'm not with you. Doesn't matter if that's online or in person. Hell, for the last week I've been getting to work early just because that's where you are. No, Kate, I'm not upset. I know it's fast, and I am well aware that you're not ready for this, so I won't be upset if you'd rather take a suite in one of the hotels, but I'm hoping you'd prefer one of my bedrooms."

  She knew he had four in his place. "Not yours?" she asked.

  "Mine is definitely in the running. I'm just trying very hard not to push." He ducked his head to see her face better. "Talk to me, darlin'. You just got quiet on me again, and I'm not sure what's spinning around that pretty little head of yours."

  "Is this too fast?" she asked. "We've only been dating a week. If I stay with you, will I be screwing everything up? Or does it mean that I really can't manage to survive without a man?" Then she sighed and leaned back in the chair. "I just feel like no matter what I do, I'm going to screw this up. I'm not the kind of woman who this crap happens to. I'm nobody!"

  "You're the Executive Marketing Coordinator for one of the biggest hotel chains in the country. That's somebody," he pointed out. "You're a strong, powerful woman, and there's a lot of men in the world who don't like that."

  "I'm not strong!" she hissed.

  "Yeah, darlin', you are. Maybe you're not loud. It doesn't matter that you aren't covered in tattoos, piercings, or slutty clothes. None of that makes you strong, Kate."

  But those were the things people always noticed. It was what she liked most about QQ, and why she admired her. "Then what does?" she asked.

  "Strength is nothing more than standing up one more time than you get knocked down. Doesn't matter if you're screaming and crying when you do it. If you can force yourself back up when the world shits all over you like this, then you're one of the strongest women I know."

  Slowly, she nodded. "That's pretty much all I've ever done."

  "And now you don't have to do it alone."

  Chapter 36

  For the rest of the day, Kate was on the phone. She had to use the land line at the hotel because Cynister had hers, but she got her credit cards cancelled, a police report filed, and her apartment manager agreed to let Nancy and whoever she had with her into Kate's apartment. The checklist of tasks was only growing, though. Everyone she called recommend she cancel or change something else she hadn't thought about.

  What she didn't do was get online. Adam had a laptop with him, and he was scouring the web, trying to find out why she'd been targeted. It was late afternoon when he finally found what he was looking for.

  "Thyk," he said, raising his voice so she'd hear him. "That's what your ex gamed under, right?"

  "Yeah, why?" She set her list aside and came closer.

  He turned the laptop toward her. "Because it seems that restraining orders don't prevent bitching online." And he tapped the screen.

  It was a forum and the old school kind. At the top, she saw the subforum name: She Screwed Me Over. On the left, she could see the post was written by the screen name Thyk. Then her eyes moved to the post.

  For years, I took care of this bitch. Let her stay at home, fucking around all day long, but that wasn't good enough. She walked out on me for a man with more money. Now, the cunt's even taken over my hobby. It's like she's intentionally trying to piss me off. The worst part is that this stupid restraining order means I can't even go to the Deviant Expo! Why? Because she's going to be the hotel representative. Bitch!

  "That's Marshall," she agreed.

  Adam nodded, then scrolled down a bit. "And here's how they got your info."

  Someone asked if her ex wanted revenge. He posted back saying he'd love to see her pay. The next comment said that someone named Soul_Reaper was sending him a private message. In other words, all of this was happening because of her ex.

  "How did he get my address?" she asked.

  "He probably didn't," Adam assured her. "But as your husband, he's got records with all of your personal information. Like tax returns. One piece can unlock the next, and these people?" He tipped his head toward the laptop, indicating the entire forum. "Kate, a lot of hackers play on this site, and not all of them are working for the good guys."

  "There are good hackers and bad ones?" she asked.

  "Cynister?" he countered. "I'm pretty sure he's a good one. Groups like Anonymous can go either way, and they aren't the only hacktivists out there. Then there are the assholes who just want to feel tough, and they don't care who they hurt to do it, so yeah."

  "Yeah," she sighed. "And I can't do this anymore. I think my eyes are starting to cross, and I'm completely at your mercy for the next couple of days. I no longer have a single credit or debit card that works, and I can't even write a check that will clear."

  "Mm," he mumbled, closing the laptop as he stood. "Guess that means it's a good thing you have a rich boyfriend, huh?"

  "Definitely, because you're going to have to put gas in my car if we want to get home." She shoved a hand through her hair, aware that she still hadn't managed to put it back up. "And I'm re
minding myself that this is your fault for making me talk up there. That's the only thing that keeps me from feeling weird about all of this."

  "Like when I bought your dress for my event?" he asked.

  She nodded. "Like please and thank you, with a little tip for a job well done. Yeah."

  "Kate, I'd help you out even if we weren't dating - or sleeping together," he added before she could point out the difference. "I'd be doing the exact same if it was Synjd, and I promise you, I'm not about to sweet talk him into my bed."

  Her mouth fell open. "You saying you sweet talked me into it?"

  He chuckled, knowing she was just giving him a hard time. "More like wore you down slowly over almost a month. Mostly, I just wanted the challenge, but the lay's pretty good, so I'll keep you around."

  "Asshole," she hissed, grabbing the closest pillow to toss at him.

  He dodged it easily and surged in to grab her, spinning her around in his arms. "Damn, you're amazing. You know that, right?"

  "Not really," she admitted.

  "Most people would be losing their minds over this, but not you. No matter how bad you get shit on, you just keep moving forward. That is what I meant when I said you remind me of a willow tree. Everything tries to push you down, but you just bend and keep on doing your thing." He bent and kissed her neck. "Just don't let these assholes scare you away from me. I don't care about anything else, Kate. I just don't want the shit from this weekend to chase you out of my life."

  "Adam, they know I'm sleeping with my supposed boss. What if that gets out? Either our friends will think I'm cheating on you, or everyone will figure out what you do for a living."

  "And if either of those happens, are you going to dump me?"

  "No," she gasped, shocked that he could even think such a thing.

  He nodded once. "Then we'll deal with it if it happens. I'm not worried, Kate. I just want to have a normal life. Sure, I used to think that meant a few weekends pretending to be normal. Now, I happen to think that means having this amazing woman around to make me feel..."