It’s not fair, she cried to Nori.Nothing is fair.Justice for her and Brayden or the fate of Soleil’s border? She couldn’t put her private grievances above the greater good, could she?
“Make it fair,”said Nori.
Fair meant transparency and putting a stop to the lies. Scarlett wanted to be better than those who’d come before her.Thatwas what Soleil needed from her.
“I won’t do the right thing the wrong way,” she said. “I want to see him punished.”
“Punished how though?” asked Elestine.
“You know what to do. Follow your heart,” said Nori.
But the border?
“There’s always another way. She’s wrong.”
She locked eyes with Elestine, finding the strength to sit up straighter and stare her down. “We need to be better than the peers we just had arrested. I want to tell the truth. I want Alastair to face justice for what he did. He should be banned from Parliament.”
The words set her free. She was unchained, acting for herselfandfor Soleil, because the people wouldn’t want her to lie to save them from themselves. She trusted them, and she’d tell the truth.
Black smoke with a small tendril of gold appeared above Elestine, but Scarlett barely glanced at it. Her opinion didn’t matter. This was up to Scarlett to decide.
“We can arrange that without exposing him, you know.” Elestine’s blue eyes—Alastair’s eyes—searched her face.
Scarlett let out a breath. “I’m sorry, but no. I’m going to press charges. If that leads to the border legislation stalling, that’s a shame, but I believe in my heart it will pass eventually. I won’t lie to the country because Alastair committed a crime that would be inconvenient to expose.”
Elestine sat there as if hoping Scarlett would say more. When she stayed silent, she tapped the desk once and stood. The hope had drained from her expression, her face now set in resolve. “Do you mind if I wait a day to turn him in? It’s been one hell of a week. I’m still severely underwater.”
Scarlett trusted her enough to give her that. “Sure. What’s one night? Get some sleep.” Brayden was getting out. That was all she cared about.
Elestine smiled with gratitude, but all Scarlett saw was the darkest shadows she’d ever seen under her eyes. “Thank you for that.” She turned to leave.
“Will you resign?” asked Scarlett.
Elestine stopped in her tracks. “Should I?”
Scarlett considered for a moment. “I doubt Moira Ashworth would, if she were in your shoes. If we can still salvage the legislation…”
“Perhaps I’ll take it a day at a time.” Elestine stared into space. “Who knows what the full repercussions will be?”
Scarlett studied Elestine’s wan face. Her son was an awful human being, but this woman had just held her hand and walked through hell to free Scarlett and Soleil from a terrible conspiracy. She wasn’t sure if many others would have been as bold as her.
“I hope you won’t resign,” she said quietly. “I’d be happy to give a statement of support for you once the news is out.”
Elestine’s eyes were bright with tears. “That’s very gracious of you, given everything that’s just come to light.”
“I know you’re not a bad person. Your son, however, is beyond the point of redemption as far as I’m concerned. The Alastair I knew would never have done this.” Scarlett shook her head, ready to forget Alastair. “If that’s all, is it all right if I go? I want to be there when Brayden is released.” She needed to find Cass and call Charlie.
Elestine cracked open Scarlett’s door. “Yes, of course. Go. I’ll give you a heads-up before I go to the police tomorrow.”
Scarlett grabbed her handbag and sped down the hallway past Elestine. Her mind was already far away from Parliament and fixed on the man she loved. She had to get to Brayden.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-EIGHT
Scarlett made it to the police station before Brayden was released. She ran at him as soon as he came through the door, unshaven and wearing gray sweatpants and a matching sweatshirt. He could have been dressed in a garbage bag for all she cared. He dropped the bag he was holding and caught her in his arms.
She couldn’t squeeze him tight enough. “Goddess, I’m so happy you’re free. I love you.”
