Chapter 31 #2
A cold smile slithers across my ex-husband’s face. “Some men never get their hands dirty. They think distance and money keep them safe.”
“And does it?”
“Not forever,” Drake replies. “I’m helping to ensure it doesn’t.”
“Strong words from a man accused of your crimes. Why would authorities want your help now?”
Drake sits forward, resting his arms on the table. “I know where the bodies are buried, and I’m ready to dig them up. Makes it faster when someone has a map.”
I bury my face in my hands, not believing what I’m hearing. Drake, used to full control of every situation, is once again directing the narrative. If I’m on his radar, there won’t be anywhere on this planet safe for me.
Danielle taps her pen against the desk, a mixture of intrigue and disdain on her face. “I suppose it would, Mr. Carver. You mentioned that you’d like to address the camera directly, and we’ve given you a minute to speak your piece.”
The camera pans to Drake, centering him in the frame.
“This is to the people of Sparkwood. I’m sorry you believed me to be a better man than I was.
You deserve more from the people in power, but I’m going to need you all to back the hell up off my ex-wife.
I’ve heard the stories of what’s happening to her.
” His jaw tightens as he releases a noisy exhale.
“I thought I had it bad, cooling my heels in a jail cell, but it was cake compared to the crap she’s dealing with daily. ”
I’m frozen, unable to move, or speak, or even breathe.
“Kiki had nothing to do with any of this. Her only crime was believing the wrong guy.”
Danielle nods, considering his words as the camera swings back to her. “So why has she become the target of such hatred if she’s innocent?”
Drake scoffs. “Because she’s so kind that it’s easy to believe she’s not what she seems. But she is and the people of Sparkwood damn well know that, or they should. If you want to hate someone, hate me. Hate the people responsible for this situation. But leave her the hell out of it.”
He shifts in his seat, and for the first time, looks uncomfortable in his skin. “Kiki getting hurt is my biggest regret. I allowed it to happen and now, I’m making damn certain it stops.”
Seems that’s as close to an apology as I’m going to get.
But it’s way more than I ever hoped to receive.
Everyone focuses on me as the show continues to the next story.
I draw in a shaky breath and walk to the window on trembling legs. “What does that mean for me now?”
Ash steps beside me, grasping my hand. “It means it’s time for you to reclaim your damn spot in your family’s town. Welcome home, Kiki.”
“But what if nothing changes? What if I’m forever the outcast?”
“Just wait. The people of Sparkwood will be blowing up your phone soon. They’re not going to want to be on the wrong side of this mess.”
I wish I had one drop of his certainty.
Sparkwood is a beautiful town, but she’s proven to be an unforgiving beast, and I have no idea how much contrition her townspeople will show me now, if any at all.
My phone rings and I glance down, still numb from everything I just watched, half expecting it to be Eddie, or perhaps a town local, already making good on Ash’s bet that they’d come crawling back into my good graces.
It’s not.
Unknown Caller flashes across the screen, and a shiver of panic shoots through me. The only emotion these calls used to bring out in me was annoyance, as some telemarketer tried to sell me something I didn’t need or pry into my personal information.
Now? Identity theft is the least of my worries.
I brace myself and answer. “Hello?”
“Hey, sweet cheeks.”
My grip tightens in a stranglehold on my phone. Drake.
Glancing up, I notice everyone is very interested in my caller.
“Who is it?” Ori asks.
“Drake,” I mouth before excusing myself to the attached atrium for a moment of privacy.
The atrium is a masterpiece, complete with vining plants climbing the walls and the steady hum of water as it cascades over the rocks into the koi pond below.
Ash designed this place as a soothing escape for Ori, but sadly, it’s not doing a damn thing for me.
“Still there?” Drake asks.
“Yes.”
“First things first, I signed the divorce papers. Your lawyer should have them by morning. You’ll be rid of me in no time.”
Somehow, I doubt I’ll ever be rid of the scars his deceit imprinted on my soul. “Appreciate the cooperation. Where are you?”
He chuckles, but unlike earlier conversations, there’s no hint of malice to it. “Somewhere safe. Kiki, I say this with the utmost love… I am not your problem anymore. The less you know, the better off you are.”
What the hell does that mean?
“Must be nice to feel safe and secure, Drake. I wouldn’t know.”
“So I heard and I’m sorry for that. But don’t worry, I’m taking care of it. You won’t have anymore problems.”
I scoff into the phone. “You’re sorry? You released your hounds and now you’re apologizing for their attack? Forgive me if I’m not convinced of your sincerity.”
Venom drips from my words as the fear I’ve felt for months morphs into something stronger—rage.
“Kiki, I had nothing to do with the vandalism or the break-in. I swear it.”
“Yeah, because your word is golden.” I reach out, letting the waterfall cascade through my fingers as I try to make sense of it all.
Things aren’t adding up, but to be fair, they haven’t for a long time.
“You’re telling me that random people in the area set about to make my life hell without your go ahead?”
Drake sighs and I picture him running a hand over his brow, possibly throwing in a roll of his eyes for effect. He always hated when I asked a million questions, especially since they were often on topics he couldn’t discuss.
Well, today the topic is me and my life, so he better start talking.
“They thought they were doing the right thing, putting the pressure on.”
“Real stand up friends you’ve got there,” I snap.
“They’re not my friends. I don’t have any of those. But I swear the only thing I asked was for my lawyer to speak with you about your statement. Nothing more.”
“Did he set up the break in?”
“Not hardly. He may be a louse, but he’s harmless.”
But two and two still don’t equal four, and I’m ready to call my ex on the carpet.
“Riddle me this. If you didn’t arrange the vandalism and break-in, how did you know about them? Did good samaritans report back to you about the latest happenings in town? Someone had to tell you.”
“Someone did. Came to visit me in jail.” He clears his throat, one of his tells. He wants off this topic.
Tough shit, Drake.
“Who?”
“Someone you know very well. Eddie Landry.”
Eddie, as in my Eddie?
“Eddie visited you?”
My entire world shifts on its axis, and I’m grateful I’m sitting because otherwise I’d be on the floor.
A million thoughts pour into my brain with one at the forefront—I’m going to kick his ass for putting himself in danger.
After everything, all the ways I tried to keep him out of the line of sight, my brave, heroic, wonderful, and stupid man walked right into the line of fire. To save me.
Drake clears his throat again. “He did. Opened my eyes to everything that was happening to you on the outside. That’s when I knew that while I couldn’t make everything right, I could at least fix this for you.”
“You think this makes things right?” I hiss.
“Not even close. You are a monster for what you allowed to happen to those girls. A fucking monster. And personally, I don’t think you deserve a speck of special treatment after what you’ve done.
But if it means you bring down this ring so no other girl has to be afraid, or kidnapped, or sold into goddamn slavery, then so be it. ”
Any other day, he and I would be in the middle of one hell of a row right now, but Drake is silent, unguarded, letting me hit him over and over, knowing he deserves every blow and more.
When he finally speaks, his voice is low, his tone solemn. “Kiki, I get you hating me. But I swear to God, as long as I’m breathing oxygen, nobody is going to fuck with you again.”
“Drake,” I say, my voice steadier than it’s been since the night of his arrest, “I don’t need any more of your fucking help. You claimed to know where the bodies are buried? Start fucking digging.”