“I have some familiarity from when you brought me in. I know about the dating sites and the smear campaign, which is why we structured tonight’s opening carefully and why Meg was able to stay ahead of the video issue. I’m reiterating this for one reason: information allows me to build contingencies.”
“All of that said, can you agree to be honest?” she finishes.
“I think so. Some details are difficult, but yes.”
“Alright. Take me through it in broad strokes. I don’t need fine detail at this point.”
I exchange a glance with Meg and squeeze her arm.
“In the interest of time, and given the number of people here,” Meg says, “I’ll give a brief run-through of what we have so far.” She looks to Coulson, who is working on his phone. “Jump in with anything you’ve uncovered when we get there?”
He nods.
Meg begins outlining my past.
It’s surreal to hear it reduced to bullet points.
Remy moves to the armrest and rests his hand on my shoulder when she reaches the part about Angel. The flinch that runs through me at hearing her spoken of so casually is visceral.
I tilt my head briefly into his touch as Meg finishes and Coulson steps in, outlining the escalating threats.
Alexis says little. She takes notes and occasionally asks a clarifying question.
When it winds down, she inhales slowly.
“Alright. I have a lot to work with. I want to bring in an attorney. Either one from my firm or one of yours, if you prefer. I believe the NDA you signed back then may not be enforceable. I’d like it reviewed. It was drafted to conceal a criminal act.”
“It was to keep Angel’s father from being disclosed.” The word father tastes bitter.
Alexis looks up from her notes. “Angel would not exist without that criminal act. That matters. If the agreement was structured to suppress information related to a crime, we may be able to have it invalidated.”
I glance at Remy, questioning.
“We’ll have our attorney review it,” Remy says smoothly. “I’ll send him your information. Do you need anything else from us tonight?”
“I have one question,” Alexis replies. “Christianna, if I ask you to sit down with WDSU for an interview, would you be willing?”
“Television?” I draw in a slow breath. “What would you want me to say?”
“My initial instinct is: everything. It’s relevant. It reframes the narrative. It may also encourage other women to come forward with their own stories. From an investigative standpoint, this is significant.”
“I need to think about it. May I take the night and speak to Remy and Erik?”
When she nods, I continue. “Would this be just me, or all of us?”
“Until I have your answer, it’s a moot point,” Alexis replies. “When you discuss it tonight, decide whether you want to be seen formally as a unit.”
I nod and glance over my shoulder at Erik, who is glaring at the wall, arms crossed.
The call ends and the room exhales with it. We’re all exhausted. Emotionally. Physically.
Coulson says his team will remain on watch and promises updates in the morning.
Madame gives me an approving pat before drawing me into a brief hug. Then she instructs Coulson to escort her to her car.
When I turn to find Erik, he’s gone.
Chapter one hundred twenty-four
