Chapter 30

THIRTY

A lot of people made their names by attending the parties my father held and making connections. Some girls let it destroy them, while others took that pain and used it. They didn't let it consume them. They made the most of it. They were smart and determined, and I respect that.

One of them is Evelyn. She's a model, an actress, and everything in between. She works with the UN and runs charities, and she's a genuinely good person. She was young when I met her, and I only saw her a few times, but she had this way about her. She was a force of fucking nature, and that hasn't changed. We've run into each other a few times over the years, since we run in similar circles, and every time, we just looked at each other, unsure what to say.

I didn't know if she remembered or didn't want to, and I'm sure she felt the same. Both of us were too scared to approach one another, but not anymore. I need her, and I have a feeling she needs this too. She fights for women's rights as a way to get back at those who abused her. She gives women voices, and now I want to give Evelyn's back to her.

There are so many unspoken words in this industry—not just at the parties my father held. It's normal for young, up-and-coming girls to have to pay the "price," as they call it. We know it too well, but none of us speak about it out of fear. Well, fuck that.

I'm taking this back, and I want her by my side, but I understand if she can't. I'm unsure and nervous, but either way, I knock back my drink and head over to her table, leaving Kage at ours. The bar we are in is upscale and filled with rich and famous people, so there are no cameras or prying eyes. She's sitting alone, nursing a cocktail, oblivious to everything and looking as stunning as ever.

She's wearing a sleek black dress that hugs her willowy frame, and her blonde hair is in a tight ponytail, her makeup expertly applied. Diamonds dangle from her ears and on her fingers. She's an intimidating woman to approach, but when I stop at her table, I see the emotions in her gaze before she blinks and looks at me.

"Fallon?" she asks softly.

"Can I sit?"

She nods, watching me with confusion. We have barely spoken in years, so when I slide into the chair opposite her, we both just drink each other in. We are survivors, and we know it.

"Need another?" I nod at her drink, and she looks down at it, a sad smile curving her lips.

She pushes the glass around, and then I realize it's full. "I don't drink anymore," she says. "Too many bad memories. I used to like the way it numbed me so I forgot, but then the nightmares were still there when it wore off, and I was shaky and alone and hurting, so I stopped. I realized I could run all I wanted, but they would still chase me. It's better to confront it." She looks at me. "Humans can't live with an open wound, and the sharks smell the blood in the water."

Isn't that the truth?

"That's why I'm here," I tell her, and she jerks her head up. "I'm ready to stop running, and I'm hoping you are too."

Her eyes drop to her drink for a moment before she pushes it away and delicately folds her hands on the table. "Are you sure?" she asks, still speaking in code .

"I've never been surer. They took my childhood," I reply. "They don't get my life, and the longer I live with this secret, the longer they win. It started as revenge, but as I move forward, I'm realizing it's so much more than that. It's about protecting those who come after us. It's about giving strength back to those who survived and voices to those who did not. It's about the truth, and it's about us. I'm hoping you will stand with me, but I understand if you can't. There are others willing to step forward, so don't feel like you have to, but I had to ask."

She's quiet for a moment, pondering my words

"I was hoping this would happen one day," she says softly. "I knew if I stood up alone, no one would believe me. Everything I worked for would go down the drain, and I would be branded a liar, a troublemaker, so instead I waited and worked, giving back to those without voices or power, hoping it would be us one day—be me." Her eyes meet mine once more. "I'm with you. They stole so much from us, but they can't take our voices, our future, or our truth. Whatever you are doing, I'm in. Let's bring the entire house down."

"It's time for you to take your voice back, not just lend it to others," I murmur. "I'm sorry it took me so long."

"Don't be." She covers my hand, and I see understanding in her gaze. "We all cope in our own ways, and you, Fallon, owe nobody a fucking explanation for how you have dealt with it. I'll stand with you throughout it. I won't let them win. I can't. I made my life mean something, but sometimes, I'm still that scared young girl, wishing this world were different. Let's make it different for the next generation, so nobody goes through it again. Let's change the world together, you and me."

That, right there, is the reason she got where she is. She inspires and protects. She's a goddamn entity unto herself, and I'm glad she's on my side. We share a knowing look of two people who survived the worst of this world. It's an understanding.

"So how do we begin?" she asks.

"I'm collecting evidence at the moment, collecting testimonies and people. We don't have enough to convict, since it's our word against theirs, but we can ruin their names and lives. We can make it so the public will never forgive or forget. When it's time, I'm going to expose it to everyone—blast it everywhere and flood the world with it."

"Make it so they can't turn a blind eye this time." She smiles. "Smart."

Taking her drink, I knock it back. "We'll empty the barrel of the secrets and take away their safety, their comfort, like they did with us." Standing, I smile at her. "I'll be in touch. Thank you, Evelyn."

She smiles at me, her expression so bright it's hard to resist, and then I realize I have been smiling more . . . feeling more. "I mean it. Seeing you succeed has given me a drive to do the same. Knowing you were out there gave me comfort, I guess. I didn't have to be so broken."

"Fallon, for what it's worth, you inspire me every day." I frown, unsure, and she grins. "You're so strong and confident, and you always have been. You have this quiet inner strength that I don't think you even recognize in yourself. That's why so many people try to use it, use you, to tear you down. They see it and it scares them. I think if you wanted to, Fallon, you could do anything. Let's show them that. Let's show them what a woman can do."

The news breaks that night as we are eating dinner. We both watch them report on it. Anger courses through me so viciously that I break my wine glass. Without a word, Kage cleans it up and checks my hand before holding me as the reporter tells us what they know.

"The suspected cause of death of Giles Horn, who you might remember once managed Electric Giants, is suicide—" Grabbing the remote, I mute the TV and sit back heavily.

We saw him only today.

"He didn't kill himself," I snap as I look at Kage. "He didn't. He isn't brave enough to do that. He's weak and stupid, and he wanted to live. He didn't do it, I know he didn't. "

They said there was a gun found in his hand, so they'll write it off as suicide, but he didn't do it. I'm pissed as hell.

"We visited him, and he withdrew, then a few hours later, he's found dead?" Kage sighs. "No, this was murder. Someone was silencing him. They are worried about what he knew. He was sleazy but not stupid. They killed him and made it look like suicide, which means they know we are after them. It's more dangerous than I thought." I frown, and he smiles sadly. "A man willing to rape and drug women and children won't want that truth to come to light years later. They will stop at nothing to cover their tracks, especially after getting away with it for so long. It could be any of them. We need to be careful. They won't stop now, not after crossing that line. They can't go back."

"I won't stop," I snap. "I'm not giving up or letting them win. Let them come after me. I'll kill them myself. Hell, I'd look good in a prison jumpsuit."

He grins as he kisses me. "I'm not asking you to give up. I'm just saying we need to be smarter. We underestimated who we are up against, and we can't make that mistake again. We'll win this, sweetheart. I'll make sure of it. You focus on your end, and I'll focus on keeping us safe, okay?"

"He's dead. Without his word . . ." I sigh.

"We have his evidence, and we have enough to keep going. I'll pull some strings, call some people, and make them open an investigation into the death so they can't ignore it. That will only add fuel to the fire. Don't forget I'm here, sweetheart. We are doing this together, and I won't let them lay a hand on you. They may be willing to kill someone to silence them, but I'm willing to kill them for even coming near you," he promises, kissing me once more. "They don't stand a chance. They are scared and hiding in the dark, desperate enough to kill. I'll keep you safe, Fallon. Do you trust me?"

"Yes," I answer without hesitation, shocking myself. For someone who swore to live a life without ever letting anyone close, I trust Kage completely.

"Good." Kissing me once more, he holds my hand while he takes his phone out. My eyes go back to the news, and I wonder who was behind it.

Who would be desperate enough to kill and smart enough to cover it up?

They must have connections, power, and something to lose.

It seems the game just got a lot more interesting.