Chapter 41

FORTY-ONE

T hree days pass quickly with all the planning we have to do. Elijah handles a lot, but I want to be helpful, and surprisingly, he lets me. We grow close in those three days, and as we go over the plan one last time in the car on the way there, he's quiet.

"I'm sorry, Fallon." My eyes widen. I'm unsure what he's getting at as he closes his iPad and focuses on me. "I'm so sorry for what you went through. For what it's worth, I think you're doing the right thing, and I'll be there for you—for both of you, I'll be with you the entire time. We're a team."

"Thank you, Elijah," I reply sincerely. He's smart, and he figured out what we have been up to, plus we needed his help planning, but knowing he will stand with me and not just because of Kage?

I have him on my side, just like I have all of the people we gathered. This knowledge fills me with the strength I need to get through what will happen and the fallout. A little chaos never hurt anyone, though, and I did say I wanted to start a riot.

Hair and makeup take over two hours, but when everything is done, I look like usual perfect Fallon. That's what they want. I refuse to show them an inch of weakness. My hair is perfectly styled, half of it held back off my face, my eyeliner is sharp, and my lips are ruby red. I look like the villain, and I love it.

Standing, I thank the team and then unzip the bag holding today's dress.

Kage and Elijah are busy checking everything over, and I know this building is filled with more celebrities than they know what to do with, but right now, I'm alone, and I let myself feel that because after this, it will never be quiet again.

Reaching out, I run my hand over the silken fabric.

It's white—ironic, I know—but I want to play on their emotions, making me look like the innocent one. It's a mind game, but I'm not above that, not to get what I want.

Pulling it from the hanger, I slip it on. It's cinched under my breasts and flares out around my hips, the hem longer in the back. There are also dahlias sewn across the material—Kage's touch, to remind me who I am and who is with me the entire time.

Turning back to the mirror, I take a deep breath as I inspect myself one more time.

I give myself a smile. "It's time." It's a promise to me, both the woman I see and the little girl hiding within me.

The one they hurt.

There's a knock on the door, and it opens to show Elijah wearing a soft smile on his face. "Are you ready?"

"I'm ready." Turning from the mirror, I take his hand and let him lead me to our destination. Kage waits for me in the wings, and he takes my hand from Elijah, running his eyes over me.

"Perfection," he murmurs, but then he reaches out and tugs on some strands of my hair, framing my face. "And a little wild, just like my girl."

I can't help but smile, and Elijah appears at our side with a producer. "Okay, we're ready when you are, Fallon. This will be going out live as requested. Everyone else is ready for their cues, and your . . . um . . . other guests are waiting outside the audience hall."

I nod, peeking through the curtain to see the packed audience. I invited every rich and famous person in the rock world, including those who were there back then. I don't know if they came, but it doesn't matter.

They will see it everywhere. Cameras are trained on the sofa waiting for me on stage. The feed will go straight to TV, along with the phones ready to live stream. It can't be silenced this time. It can't be stopped.

This isn't just my voice. It's an army, one they won't win against.

Looking back at Kage, I squeeze his hand. "Stay with me?"

"Until the end," he promises, stealing a kiss. "My beautiful, strong girl, you've got this. Show them they fucked with the wrong woman. Show them exactly what you're capable of. Make them all pay."

Stealing some of his strength, I turn back to the stage and school my features. All traces of smiles are gone, and the ice queen is back.

Today, they will know why.

I step out onto the stage with Kage, my eyes on the person I chose to interview me. She stabbed me in the back just last year by exposing my cheating husband. She's the exact type of person I need—cruel, vicious, and willing to ask hard questions to get the truth. She's also trustworthy and well-known.

I was surprised when she agreed, but it seems she doesn't hate me. She was simply doing her job, and I can work with that.

I head over to the sofa, and the crowd cheers, clapping at my appearance even if they are confused. Some probably know what's coming and are here out of fear. I don't spare any of them a look as I sit on the sofa closest to the interviewer's chair. Kage sits beside me, holding my hand. There is nothing else on the stage other than us and the screens above us that will blast the evidence we have.

I wait for the crowd to die down, and then I sweep my gaze over them, but most of the lights are blinding, so I turn back to Louise.

"Fallon, it's nice to see you again." I can tell she actually means it. "Kage, it's nice to meet you." She turns to the camera. "I'm sure everyone is waiting anxiously for what this special live broadcast is about. It's been kept secret until now, and as you can see, we have a very selective, celebrity filled audience." The cameras pan out to the faces of people, who actually wave and smile.

Fools.

When they turn back to us, she smiles. "Honestly, I'm mostly in the dark as well. So, Fallon, why are we all here today? It isn't for a wedding, is it?"

I laugh with the crowd, even as Kage leans in. "She wishes. When I marry her, I will let the whole world watch so they can see she's mine forever."

The host laughs. "Kage, your mic is on."

"Oops." He winks at me to let me know he did it on purpose, and I have to fight my smile.

"No, not a wedding, but something just as important," I add, glancing at one of the cameras. "I'm here today to expose some truths. I know everyone has a lot of questions, and I have been vocal, as has Kage, about the fact that we're unhappy with the docuseries soon to air about my father's life. Then, at the hospital, we informed everyone that someone tried to silence us. Now, we are here to set the record straight. Today, we won't hide anything, and I must warn viewers that this isn't a pretty, fluffy story. You wanted the truth, so you will get it, but don't tell me I didn't warn you."

Louise laughs nervously. "You make it sound like someone died, Fallon."

"They did," I reply without shame. "Many people actually." Mrs. Miller's daughter's image floods the screens. "This is Lennie Miller. She was a young model, and she killed herself. Her mother has been fighting for justice for many years, and today, she will get it. She isn't the only one who died in this war. My presence here today puts me in danger. Just a few days ago, a bouquet of roses and razors was sent to me with a warning. Someone tried to kill me in a car accident, and there have been many more instances. They don't want what I have to say to get out. They want to keep it hidden. "

"And what truth is that, Fallon? What is someone willing to kill for?" she asks with a deep frown, wanting to know herself.

"The truth of my childhood and who my father and his band were. They weren't the celebrity idols everyone makes them out to be, nor were they good people. In fact, they were the opposite. They were filled with venom and made into monsters by this industry and those around them who facilitated their drug and alcohol use, as well as other needs that haunt me, even to this day."

"Fallon, what do you mean by that?" she asks.

Taking a deep breath, I clutch Kage's hand tighter, glancing at him for a moment for his strength before looking back at her. "My father and his bandmates abused me throughout my entire childhood." There are some gasps from the crowd, but I don't slow down. "My father and his band threw lavish parties that his entire circle and management not only knew about, but encouraged. They plied models, singers, and underage girls and boys with drugs and alcohol to try to get them addicted, and then they would pass them around like toys and share them between the band and their entourage to celebrate a win or commemorate a loss. If you tried to speak out, you were either paid or threatened. Everyone at those parties was complicit with the rampant sexual abuse and predatory behavior, and most of them are sitting in the crowd today."

There are more gasps and some protests. I ignore them, focusing on the interviewer who has turned pale, her eyes wide with horror.

"Many of the label's managers, models' managers, and assistants knew, and they took part and got paid for it. I have spent years battling with depression and PTSD from what these parties did to me. They have shaped my entire adult life. I was ashamed by what happened and horrified by my own memories." I take a deep breath. Something about speaking this aloud is almost . . . freeing.

I have depression, and I have struggled with it for a really long time—long before I even gave a name to those thoughts inside my head—but I'm not ashamed anymore because I know I'm not alone, and if I can make one more person feel that way, feel seen and understood, then I will speak until my voice gives out. I have depression, and it doesn't make me different, unlovable, or unable to achieve success or a life. It just makes me who I am.

"It took me a long time to realize I have nothing to be ashamed of. I was a child, a kid who should have been protected. Instead, I was hurt by the people I should have been able to trust most. When I heard the docuseries was being made, I knew I could no longer remain silent. Doing so made me part of the problem, not the solution. I couldn't sit back and allow more lies about my father and his friends to spread while the survivors remained gagged and silenced."

"It's a lie!" someone screams.

I don't falter. "I'm not the only one. I've been busy these last few weeks, meeting with people like me—survivors of these horrendous parties—and they are here today to share their stories and prove what happened back then. These are rapists and abusers. They are terrible people, and you hail them as heroes, but it will stop. I won't let others be hurt by their memory."

I look at the wings and nod, and one by one, everyone I spoke to enters the stage. I introduce them as they stand behind me, and then I look into the camera. "Some were victims, and some are witnesses who have lived with the regret of not speaking out sooner. Each has the same horrific stories to tell, and it has gone on too long. This world we live in is broken and ruined. The rich are allowed to get away with whatever they want, and it has claimed lives and stolen innocence. Men have been allowed to get away with this for too long, and today, I say enough is enough. I stand with these survivors, and I will shout the truth from the rooftops. I won't let this world forget or turn a blind eye, not anymore, but don't just believe me." I turn and nod, sitting back with Kage, and we listen to stories just like mine.

They share horrific tales of abuse that have my eyes filling with tears, the pure agony and grief in their words connecting with my heart. It's raw and unadulterated, and no one could ever doubt this is real, but I know they will, so when Poe looks at me and nods before stepping back, I turn to the cameras.

"If these stories aren't enough proof, then maybe this is." We all turn to the screens. "Some took videos—for fun or blackmail, I am not sure. I refuse to show you footage of anyone here, but I will show you the ones I'm in. I don't care if it disgusts you or makes you feel pity for me. All I need is your anger. Watch these and tell me this is all a lie."

Kage holds me tighter as the first video loads. When I first saw it, I was sick, but I know it's important. I was around fourteen at the time, still in my school uniform as I tried to do schoolwork while a party went on around me. It's a CCTV shot, and as we watch, my father's bandmate, Westie, doses me with drugs and then pulls me on top of him for everyone to see. We cut it there and load more, of other parties and other angles.

When I look around the room, I see even the cameramen crying, and one even throws up.

"These are just some of the videos we have. There are explicit ones that show the faces of those responsible for sexual assault and pictures taken of victims and their abusers. I won't show them, but they will be used as evidence. I have spent my entire life afraid of this getting out, but I'm not afraid anymore because living in that fear gives our abusers power, and I won't do that for another fucking second." I turn to Louise.

"Fallon." She stares at me, tears streaming down her face. "I?—"

"It's okay," I tell her, knowing she's lost for words. "My own mother knew about this and did nothing, neither did anyone else. It was allowed to happen, and it's still allowed to happen. The truth is out now, and it will snowball. The internet is currently being flooded with files we collected, including money trails, pictures, and testimonies. They can't be taken back or hidden, regardless of anyone's reach or power. We are free. We aren't just victims, we are survivors, and today, we tell our stories. I'm tired of being cast as your villain just because I'm angry and a woman. You can move on without forgiveness, and that's what I plan to do—move on and not hide. I won't give them an inch of power over my future. They have my past, and that's all. What we need is change, in our name and theories." Evelyn's and Lennie's faces show on the screen.

"And consequences for those who are sitting in the crowd, knowing they either let this happen or took part, or those watching at home who are scared their faces will show. Even my father, who is applauded even in death, should be forgotten. All the information I've gathered, along with my witnesses and lists, will be handed over to police after this broadcast is finished," I inform them, eyeing the crowd. "I came here to tell my truth, the one you were all demanding through that docuseries, but also to keep the people I love safe." I glance at Kage. "To keep the other survivors like me safe, so what happened to Evelyn won't happen to us."

"You are suggesting they killed Evelyn Mitchel?" Louise whispers. "Who?"

"Yes, to silence her like they tried to silence me." I take a deep breath. "I'm aware this is a lot to take in?—"

A noise has us all turning. It's Westie, and he's on his feet in the crowd. I didn't know if he would come, but he did, and there he stands, full of righteous fury. His face is flooded with panic, as he knows his reputation and life is ruined. "You are destroying our lives, you bitch!" The crowd gasps as he rushes past the cameramen, pulling a knife from his coat, and my eyes widen in horror as screams fill the air.

Cameras topple over as people rush forward.

Time seems to slow, and I realize my mistake.

I thought I was safe now, but I was wrong.

His eyes are narrowed and enraged, and I see my death in his gaze. He's taking me down with him.

I was once his little princess, his dirty little secret, and it seems he's willing to kill to get his revenge. I have no doubt he was behind everything. He might have had help, but he's the one here, barreling toward me.

I don't look away. I can't. If I'm going to die today, I will look my murderer in the eye. I will let him see my fury and my legacy that he can't stop, even if he kills me. What I forgot about, though, is Kage.

He grabs me and turns us, covering me with his body just as Westie leaps at us. I stare up into his dark eyes as he jerks, wincing. The crowd screams, and I hear people running, including our guards, as Kage jerks twice more.

"Die, you fucking bitch!" Westie screams. "You stupid fucking whore. You deserve—let me at her!" I peek over Kage's shoulder to see him being dragged away. "She fucking deserved it! She fucking asked for it. She wanted us. They all did! We were rock stars!"

"Kage," I whisper, looking up into his eyes, my hands going to his cheeks as he swallows.

"Are you okay, sweetheart?" he croaks.

"I'm fine." I slide my hands down his back, and I feel something wet. For a moment, my brain can't figure out what it is, and I lift my hand to see them covered in blood.

It's his. My eyes widen as I scream and struggle out of his arms. He groans and falls back, hitting the floor. I drop to my knees as blood pools around me and soaks into the hem of my dress. I slide my hands over him, seeing blood seeping through his shirt.

"You've been stabbed," I blurt. "You've been stabbed!" I lift my head. "He's been stabbed! Help me! Someone, anyone, help!" I scream.

"Sweetheart." Kage reaches for my hand, covering it. "Shh, it's okay."

"Help me!" Help me!" I beg, but the studio is in chaos.

"Oh god," I hear someone whisper, but I look down at Kage. He's pale and blinking a lot. That's not good, right? Shit, what do you do when someone's been stabbed? I try to remember, but my brain won't work. "You're going to be okay," I promise him. "Get help!" I roar.

"Help is coming, Fallon!" Elijah replies. I can feel people around us, but I only focus on Kage as he reaches up and cups my face. I lean into it as tears spill from my eyes.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," I blabber.

"Shh, it's okay. You're okay. That's all that matters." His voice is softer than it should be. "I'm so sorry, baby. I can't keep my promise to be with you forever, but I'm glad I got to love you, even for a little while."

"No. No." I shake my head, pressing my hand to his chest to try to stop the bleeding, but it soaks into my dress, turning it red. "Help is coming. You'll be fine. You hear me?"

"Baby, it's okay," he soothes .

"No, don't you dare die. I forbid it, you hear me? You can't die. I order you not to," I snap, pressing harder as he groans.

His skin is pale and too clammy, and the puddle around us is too big. He's losing too much blood. Did Westie hit something vital?

"Please, Kage," I beg, a sob bursting from my chest as I stare into his eyes. He's giving up. "You can't make me love you and then leave me. You don't get to do that. You don't get to make me happy, make me want to live again, and do this. You don't get to. Do you hear me? I'm ordering you. I'm ordering you to stay with me." I make my voice firm despite my trembling lips and tears.

His smile is bright despite it. "You're so beautiful when you're mad. I think that's one order I won't be able to keep, sweetheart. I'm sorry."

"Please, I can't do this without you." I lift him into my arms, pressing my forehead to his as I kiss him, tasting blood on his lips. "I can't."

"Yes, you can." He groans in pain. "You always could. You never needed me, but I'm so damn thankful you had me. You're a fighter, so fight, and I'll be waiting for you in the next life, okay? We are eternal, remember? We'll see each other again, I promise."

"No. No. You don't get to say goodbye," I snap, looking around at the terrified and crying people around me. "Help me!"

"Where is the medic?" Elijah screams.

"Fallon. Fallon . . ." I look back down at Kage as his lips tremble, one tear slipping from his lower lashes. "I love you, sweetheart. I always did and always will."

"No, don't say that. You aren't saying goodbye. I'll go get help." I try to pull away, but he reaches up.

"Don't," he rasps, his hand shaking against my face. "Just let me look at you. Let my last vision be of you. Please, that's all I ask."

Shaking my head, I sob harder. "I can't lose you. Just stay with me, okay? They are coming." His eyes start to flutter shut as he coughs, and I hold him tighter. "Just hold on a bit longer, okay?"

"Okay, sweetheart." His words are slurred, and I hate it.

"I'm here. I'm right here. "

"Can you sing for me?" he croaks.

Sobbing, I force a random song out, and he smiles even as his eyes flutter shut again. Hugging his head to my chest, I keep singing, and when the song is finished, I trail off. "Kage?" I whisper in fear. He doesn't respond, and I can't stop the sobs shaking my body. "Please, just hold on," I beg him. "I'll sing you any song you want. I'll do anything you want, just don't go."

There's no answer.

"Please," I cry, rocking him in my arms. "Please, help me." I can't even see past the tears blurring my vision as I hold him in my arms.

He's silent and unmoving.

"Please, please, please," I whisper over and over. "Please don't take him from me." Pulling away, I cup his jaw and stare down into the face I have memorized over and over again, the one I took for granted. "I love you," I tell him for the first time. "Do you hear me? I love you, so wake up right now. You wake up right now. I love you."

A laugh makes my head spin, and through blurred eyes, I see Westie lying on the floor feet away, his arms and legs tied while a guard pins him. "How does it feel," he spits, "to lose again?"

My eyes drop to Kage, and I begin singing again, holding him while we wait for help—help that comes too late.