Chapter 25
twenty-five
. . .
Sadie
Ihurried upstairs to the bedroom. I still had dirt in my teeth and eyes from the ride.
I'd been having so much fun. In the meantime, those assholes had beat the shit out of Ace.
Typical selfish Sadie, that was what Dad would be saying.
And it seemed he was right. I'd been selfishly enjoying myself with Colin.
Aside from Gregor's thugs trespassing, I'd hardly given the picture a second thought.
I hadn't even thought about selling it. I'd been so thrilled to have it in my possession, but the whole damn thing was just a big thorn in my side.
Colin came into the room. "What are you doing? Should we call the police? I'm worried that will make it worse."
"I have a plan." I turned to him. "I need to take care of this." It was my way of letting him know I needed privacy. He looked hurt but left the room.
I pressed dial on the unknown number I'd saved. "Hi, it's me. He needs to call off those assholes first. And I need proof of that. Then you and I can meet. I'll send you the time and place. I want this over as much as you."
"I'll call him now," he answered before ending the call.
I sent the address of a nearby coffee shop.
Meet me in two hours. And if I see him anywhere nearby, I'm turning and walking away and I'll launch the picture for the entire world to see.
Understood.
I walked downstairs. Colin and Nate were drinking sodas. I went straight for a glass of water to get the grit out of my teeth.
"I'm going out for a few hours," I said casually.
"Not alone, you're not," Colin said sternly.
"I've been on my own for years—"
He held up his hand to stop my usual speech about my independence. "You're not going alone. Besides, you have no wheels. Are you going to the beach house?"
I was wound so tight, and there was a torrent of tears waiting to break free from their dam, which would definitely not work with the independent image I was trying to conjure. I took a deep breath.
"I'm not going to the beach house, but really, Colin, I need to do this alone."
Right then, a call came through. I answered. "Ace. Are you all right? Are they gone?"
"They got a call and walked out." Ace sounded shaky and in pain. "What the fuck is happening? What the hell have you gotten into? Does this have something to do with Wilde?"
I looked at Colin. I was sure he'd heard Ace through the phone. His jaw tightened, not in anger so much as disappointment. My brother had shown himself to be a toxic friend in so many ways.
"This has nothing to do with Colin. He's been nothing but protective and kind and not the least bit bossy," I said pointedly.
"Look, Sadie, I was walking out to my truck when four big dudes came out of the shrubs and kicked the shit out of me. Then they pulled a gun on me, and this all has to do with you. So don't get bitchy with me."
"Yes, I'm sorry. Are you going to get some medical treatment?"
"Thinking about it. But how do I know they're gone for good? What if they come back and trash the place? Dad is so pissed, he's not even talking to me anymore."
"I'm handling the situation. Just get yourself some medical care. I'll talk to you later."
"Excuse me if I'm not fully trusting the wild little sister who got in more trouble than a barrel of fucking monkeys before she even turned twenty to 'handle the situation.'"
"All right, don't trust me then. Get to a doctor. I'll keep you posted." I hung up.
Colin was still wearing that hardened expression that told me he was tense and frustrated. "You're going to need my truck. I'm going to follow you in Nate's car. I'll stay back. Where are you going? At least tell me that, Sadie."
I nodded. "I'm going to the bank first," I said glumly.
"You're giving up the picture?" he asked.
I nodded. The way he asked it proved how much he already knew me and my feelings.
"I'm sorry, sprite. You'll get another life-changing photo. I'm sure of it."
I sighed deeply and then let the tears smash through the frail barrier I'd been holding onto. The tears flowed and I fell into his arms.
Iopened the envelope and pulled out the picture just to make sure it was real.
I'd almost talked myself into thinking that I never really had anything significant in my possession.
The bank teller was waiting outside the safe deposit box vault, giving me privacy.
I stared at the photo, and my heart broke.
I was giving up something that would have made me a name and some good money, but all at the cost of my soul.
These two men were in love, and that love was taboo in their big, masculine world.
Now that I'd found that same level of passion with someone, I realized just how heartbreaking it would be to deny that love.
I pushed the photo back into the envelope, along with its negative.
If I'd taken it with my digital camera, the whole debacle would have ended back when Gregor smashed that camera.
I don't think a digital image would have captured the true devotion I'd caught with the 35mm.
Something about using a camera with film always made me feel like I wasn't just shooting a photo.
I was capturing a moment in time and all the raw emotion that went with it.
If it hadn't been the cause of so much trouble, I would have considered it one of my best photos.
I really could have made a name for myself with it.
And on that dreary thought, I closed up the box and let the banker know I was done.
I walked out to the truck. Colin was parked in Nate's SUV a few blocks down.
I looked around, then I smiled briefly in his direction.
My family had always pretended to be protective and worried about me, but it always felt like an act.
They were more worried that I'd somehow ruin the family's reputation by doing something scandalous.
I guess now some of that had come true. But this would put an end to the problem …
and the photo. I was actually relieved to be handing it off.
I drove to the coffee shop. Buck Finch was sitting in a booth in back, looking tense and paranoid as if we were about to do a drug transaction rather than me handing over a photo. He smiled politely and pointed to a cup of coffee sitting across from him at the table.
"I ordered you a latte, but I won't be insulted if you don't drink it.
" His appearance, the shaved head and mosaic of tattoos, was such a contradiction to his gentle demeanor.
I sensed that a few people in the shop recognized him.
They stared at him and talked quietly behind their coffee cups.
He didn't exactly fit in with the rest of the coffee shop vibe.
I glanced around, then smiled at him. "I'll bet you grab attention wherever you go."
"Unfortunately." Buck sipped his coffee. He couldn't stop looking at the envelope in my hand, as if it was some kind of bomb or explosive. I suppose, in a way, to him, it was exactly that.
"I can give you some money," he said. "I know this is a big sacrifice for you."
I shook my head. "That would make me a blackmailer. You've been decent enough that I don't want anything. If you'd behaved like Gregor, then I'd have already sold it to a tabloid. He's a piece of shit."
"Yeah, I know but …"
"But you love him."
Buck sank back against the vinyl seat. "I'm an idiot when it comes to love."
"I think we all are." I handed him the envelope.
His hands trembled as he opened it and slid out the photo. His expression turned to one of pure heartbreak.
"He broke it off with you," I said. "I'm sorry if the picture caused it."
"No, it wasn't the photo, though that did put a big strain between us.
I think it showed him that we couldn't possibly be together.
I'm leaving fighting. My doctor told me many more concussions and injuries, and I'd be a blubbering fool by the time I reached fifty.
Not worth it. I hate the whole fucking thing. "
"Your dad?" I looked down, slightly embarrassed. "I was in the locker room. Sorry, I had no choice but to eavesdrop. He reminded me of my dad, and that is definitely not a compliment."
"Yeah, I haven't told him yet, but I'm just gonna drop it all on him at once, the gay thing, too. Then he can decide if he still wants me in his life. Either way, I'm good. I'm going to start living the life I want."
"Good. I'm happy for you, Buck. It's nice when you find your way in life.
I think I'm on the same train. I've been sort of scattered with no anchor to hold me down, but recently, I think I found that person.
" It was the first time I'd admitted out loud that I wanted Colin in my life.
I'd never felt that way about anyone. I'd had relationships, but all of them faded away with boredom or relationship fatigue, a syndrome I'd made up for my chaotic love life.
"Sounds like we're both finding our way," he said. Something had caught his eye and his breath behind me. His face flushed, and he was suddenly flustered.
"It's Gregor," I said plainly.
A massive shadow fell over the table. I looked at Buck. "Did you tell him?"
"He didn't need to. I've been following you," Gregor admitted without a tiny bit of shame. "Is that it? The negative too?"
Buck set it down on his lap. "Yes, it's all there. You need to leave her alone."
"How do we know she hasn't already sold copies or the story to some crappy news site?"
"Because she hasn't," a deep, taut voice said from behind.
Colin had promised to stay in the car. I raised a brow at him. He shrugged. "Sorry, I saw this loser walking into the shop."
Gregor's whole body stiffened. "Who are you calling a loser?"
We were definitely stirring up the otherwise cozy, calm ambience of the coffee shop. People were starting to take pictures. I heard the fighters' names being muttered behind screens.
"You're drawing more attention to yourself, J.J.," Buck said between clenched teeth. "I've taken care of this. Now, she walks out of here, unscathed, and I will dispose of this envelope. Otherwise, I'll post the fucking thing myself. I don't give a fuck about any of this anymore."
I shook Buck's hand. "I hope you find every happiness." I looked pointedly at Gregor. "He was always way too good for you," I said loudly. I was sure the statement would start a few rumors, and I was fine with that. Gregor deserved it.
I took Colin's hand. "Ready?"
He glared at Gregor for a second. "Yep, I'm ready." We turned and walked out.
I finally looked over at Colin. "Pretty brave going toe to toe with Gregor and then calling him a loser."
Colin released a breath. "Fuck. Thought I was a goner for sure."
I turned to him, and his arms went instantly around me. "You mean you were scared? I can't believe it."
"I'm a Wilde. I'm not an idiot. That guy could turn me into chicken pot pie with one hand tied behind his back."
He walked me to the truck, and once again, I nestled into his arms. "Well, I think we should go home so you can take my mind off the fact that I probably just handed over the most important photo of my career."
Colin's hand smoothed down to my ass. "Hm, I think I can handle that assignment. First one home gets to be on top," he quipped and took off at a run.
I laughed giddily and jumped into the truck.