Chapter 21 #2
“The truth is, I’ve been living in fear that what happened to Bart would happen to me one day, and it would be much worse, because I’m such a public figure.
My approval ratings with boomers are the best out of any meteorologist on the West Coast, you know.
” He flashed his teeth. “And all that would disappear overnight if it became public knowledge that I preferred men.”
His gaze turned towards Bart, who was talking to twin blondes by the entrance. “If they knew I fell in love with a man…”
Oh, God. Poor Dan. Poor Bart.
He faced me again and gave me a sad smile. “I was so happy when you got arrested and thrown in the asylum, you know.”
“I know,” I said quietly.
“And I was terrified when you got out. I rehearsed everything,” he said, blowing out a huge breath.
“A whole bunch of soundbites I could throw out if someone accused me of being gay. I’d say, oh, that Susan is a psycho, though.
Remember that model I was banging in Santorini?
Remember that reporter I dated? Remember how Susan went nuts and tried to kill her husband?
Who are you going to believe?” He met my eyes. “But you never said a word to anyone.”
I stayed silent. There were lots of things I could say—everything will be fine! Things are different now, you can come out, everyone will applaud you, everyone loves the gays!
Except the deeply conservative people that watched his news channel.
“I’m not a brave man,” Dan said quietly. “I’ve come to terms with that. It’s no excuse. I just can’t see any way out.”
“I know,” I whispered. Dan had painted himself into a corner years ago, and he couldn’t see any escape.
Even if he was to come out now, he was scared that the alphabet mafia of San Francisco would hate him forever for being an active part of the enemy for so long.
For being a coward. “I understand, Dan.”
He smiled at me, thankfully, without teeth.
“You know, since you came back on the scene, I’ve realized something.
You’re the only person with any integrity in this entire city.
You’re the only person I can think of that would survive what happened to you, and I’m only just starting to grasp how awful it really was. Juliette told me some things.”
My jaw involuntarily clenched. Goddamned Juliette. Of course she did.
“You were completely destroyed. Your reputation was in tatters. I mean, it still is.” He chuckled awkwardly.
“But you survived. You rose like a phoenix from the ashes.” His eyes shone with unshed tears, but he blinked them back quickly, and swallowed.
“You’re so brave. It’s… inspiring. And terrifying. ”
My heart lurched in my chest. “Oh, Dan.”
“And it made me realize something else. Everyone here.” He nodded towards the crowd.
“Everyone is terrified. Everyone is shit-scared of something. Of losing all their money. Of having their dirty secrets exposed. We’re all tossing our fake hair and laughing behind fake teeth and pouting our fake lips, and all of us are just absolutely scared shitless. ”
I exhaled softly. “I know.”
He stared at me for a moment longer, then, his gaze flickered downwards. “Did you know your service dog is drinking out of someone’s whiskey glass?”
“Oh. Yeah.” I nudged Cecil with my foot. He jolted, but his tongue lapped up the amber liquid faster. “He’s a raging alcoholic; I’m going to get him into rehab as soon as I can.” I gave a nervous chuckle. “He’s got issues, too. Like all of us.”
Dan frowned. “Who would put a whiskey glass on the ground like that?”
Cecil probably stole it as soon as Dan started his monologue, and I was distracted. I grabbed Cecil by the collar and nudged the glass away with my toe. “Don’t worry, he’s got a wicked constitution.”
“How come you need a service dog, anyway?” He grinned at me; the spell broken. Dan’s mask was back on. “I smell gossip. Come on, Susan. Spill.”
“Uh…”
My earpiece rumbled. “The Andresano’s carriage is approaching,” Fionn said. “They are reaching the summit of the hill now.” Fionn’s tone turned colder, and a shiver ran down my spine. “My son is inside; I can feel him. Connor is with them.”
A sick feeling rolled through my gut. Here they come. Judging by the backed-up line of limos on the street outside, I probably had about fifteen minutes before they made their way in here.
Nate’s low tone buzzed me straight after. “Perimeter ward is breached. Purg is here.”
Dan peered at me. “Sue? Are you okay?”
“Um…” I took a sip of champagne, buying some time so I could listen to the sudden flurry of action taking place in my ear.
Before I could even swallow, Cress cursed on the channel. “A swarm of banwyn just emerged from a sewer-pit hole on the north side. They are keeping to the shadows, but the swarm is huge. We may need to call Eryk back to assist us.”
Eryk was on his way to guard Audrina, wherever the hell she was. My heart began to pound. All of a sudden the thought occurred to me that I’d fucked up. My optimism was always my biggest weakness.
Our forces were split. Enemies approached us from all sides. Audrina was vulnerable.
And, with a sinking heart, I realized that Bart had disappeared.
My eyes flicked back to Dan, standing in front of me. Was he just here to distract me? I’d been so worried about Audrina somehow becoming the next hostage, I never thought to worry about Bart.
Goosebumps rose on my bare flesh. Was Dan here deliberately to distract me, while someone grabbed my best friend? I hadn’t felt any buzz on my skin. Dan had never lied while talking to me, but then again, I never asked him if he was planning on helping Juliette abduct and torture my best friend…
I reached out and grabbed Cecil by the collar. “I’ll tell you another time, Dan. I better get this monster inside and out of temptation’s way.”
“There’s a whole cocktail bar under the staircase. I’d avoid that if I were you. Oh!” Dan called out as I hustled away, “I forgot to tell you. Juliette is looking for you.”
A jolt of terror pulsed through me. “She is?”
“Oh, yes. And in a hurry, too.” A cryptic smile appeared on his face. “There’s something she wants to show you.”
Oh, no.