20. Maximo
CHAPTER 20
Maximo
It’s everywhere.
Newspapers. Podcasts. The radio. Christ, it’s practically all over every social media platform I can think of.
Except, there’s a problem. Well, it’s not a problem. It’s really more of a surprise. People are talking about me like I’m a hero, as though everything I did was right. And I can’t understand it. I thought that when everything was found out, people would curse me and hate me…but…they’re calling me ‘ the people’s voice.’
It’s been two days since everything broke to the media and my recording of what John admitted to was leaked. One thing I know, the internet is forever. I spoke to Rocco last night, and we decided to move the flight earlier, but since then, I haven’t heard a word from him.
No matter how many times I call, text, or email, there’s nothing. It’s radio silence, and I’m losing my composure.
“Max?” Julia calls sweetly from behind me. I look over my shoulder, and my eyes meet hers. Worry spreads over her beautiful features, and I’m unsure what to do. I’m worried about my lack of contact with my cousin, but I’m also worried about what this is doing to the girl I should’ve walked away from.
Julia moves around the couch, and I follow her every step of the way. “Max, I…when I tell you this, I need you to stay calm.”
Lifting my hands, I cup her cheeks. Waiting for the words to come out of her mouth to tell me she’s leaving, returning home, and wanting to forget about this whole ordeal.
“What is it, Bella ?”
“It’s…It’s Rocco.”
“What?” I stand up, “Did he call? Is he here?”
“N-no, baby…”
“Then what? Tell me, Julia, you’re scaring me right now.”
Taking her phone from her back pocket, she unlocks the screen and turns it to me, and that’s when I see it.
“SUSPECT IN CEO KILLING FOUND AND ARRESTED. ROCCO AGOSTI, 24, SUSPECTED OF KILLING 48-YEAR-OLD CEO JOHN RICHARDSON. SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE ANGELA RICHARDSON.”
My eyes widen, my body shaking with the panic, rage, and a whole mismatch of emotions that I can’t quite place. My chest expands, my breathing short. I can feel the panic attack rapidly filling every part of my being and my heart beating so heavily against my chest that I don’t know how I’m going to calm it down.
“H-how long ago was this posted?”
“I don’t know, I only just saw it.”
I run my hands over my face, pushing them up and into my short hair. Fisting it tightly. “I need to go to the station, make a statement, tell them it was me and that he had nothing to do with it.” I spin on my heel, snatching the keys from the bowl by the door.
But the moment I grab the handle, Julia places herself between me and the cabin door.
“Julia, please move.”
“Just…please wait a-and listen to me. I?—”
“What?” I shout. “What do I need to wait for? My fucking cousin is in jail!”
Fuck!
She doesn’t deserve this.
“I have an idea.” She murmurs.
“ Bella , I’m sorry I…I shouldn’t have shouted at you. I just…I don’t know what the fuck I’m going to do. Either way, I lose.”
She grasps my face, her delicate fingers spread over my cheeks. “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry, Max. I know this fucking sucks, but if you listen to my idea, I think it could work.”