The thought of anyone hurting London caused panic to constrict my lungs. “I think it’s only fair she knows she’s been threatened and ask her if she wants me to back off.”
Perri sighed. “Tierney, we are so close to publishing this thing. If you tell her and she tells the wrong person …”
“I trust her.”
She sighed again. “Okay. Then let me know what you decide as soon as possible.”
“I’ll call her now. I’m using someone else’s phone.”
“Right. Talk soon.”
London and I hadn’t spoken on the phone in a few weeks. We had a video call about a month ago, but we’d been trading texts because every time I tried to video chat, she didn’t pick up. But I knew her job kept her crazy busy.
I dialed her number and prayed she’d pick up. A quick look over my shoulder revealed Ramsay watching me patiently, Akiva at his side. I turned away, wondering at his change in attitude. Unable to resist, I glanced back and suddenly the favor he’d asked of me appeared different.
Now I wondered if Annie really couldn’t watch Akiva today.
I wondered if Ramsay had only said that so he could leave his very large, very protective Alaskan Malamute with me.
Huh.
Turning around, I frowned out at the beautiful view ahead. Even on a cloudy day, it was stunning here, especially with rays of champagne-gold sunlight piercing through the mauve clouds and hitting the water in bursts of sparkling light. Sometimes remembering I lived here now was surreal. Glenvulin’s tranquility was almost jarring against the current chaos of my life.
It was a shock when the line suddenly connected.
“Hello?”
“London, it’s me.”
“Nee?” London’s voice and use of my nickname was a balm to my soul. “Are you okay? It’s early.” She was home and she was alive. And she was probably exhausted from working late and long hours.
“I woke you.”
“It’s okay. What’s wrong?” she asked as I heard a male voice in the background asking something I couldn’t quite make out. “It’s Tierney,” London replied. He said something else. “It’s fine,” my friend said in return and then I heard what sounded like a door closing. “Okay, we’re alone. What’s happening?”
Taking a shuddering breath, I explained. “Spoon …” I used the nickname I’d called her since we were kids. “I can’t go into details, but I’m working with an investigative reporter because …” Tears threatened. London had been at my side through everything, including my parents’ deaths. She was the only person I’d let see how broken I was by the loss. “My parents … it wasn’t an accident.”
“Oh my God,” London said in a jagged breath. “What do you mean? What is going on?”
“It has to do with the company. That’s all I can say. But the person responsible knows that I’m working with a reporter and I’ve been threatened to stay quiet. But it’s my mom and dad.” I swiped at my freely falling tears.
“I know. Oh, babe, I know.” I heard London sniffle, crying with me because that’s the way it was. When I was in pain, she was in pain and vice versa.
“So I haven’t backed down.” I sucked in a breath, getting control of myself. “Until now. I got a threat against you.”
London’s voice was instantly hard and demanding. “What kind of threat?”
I told her about the photograph and the warning on the back.
“Well, fuck that,” she hissed. “Do not let that stop you. I will be fine, Nee. Everyone knows I’m dating Nick and Nick has more power in this city—fuck, in this country—than most. They won’t touch me and risk Nick’s wrath.”
For once, I might actually be grateful she was dating the prick. “So you’re okay? You’re okay for me to keep going?”
“Yes. If someonekilledyour parents, you have to bring them to justice. I know you. I know you better than I know anyone. And you won’t be able to live with yourself unless you do this.”
“I love you,” I whispered, sucking back more tears. “I miss you like crazy.”
Her voice turned husky. “You have no idea how much I miss you.”
