“Not forever,” Drake replies. “I’m helping to ensure it doesn’t.”
“Strong words from a man accused of your crimes. Why would authorities want your help now?”
Drake sits forward, resting his arms on the table. “I knowwhere the bodies are buried, and I’m ready to dig them up. Makes it faster when someone has a map.”
I bury my face in my hands, not believing what I’m hearing. Drake, used to full control of every situation, is once again directing the narrative. If I’m on his radar, there won’t be anywhere on this planet safe for me.
Danielle taps her pen against the desk, a mixture of intrigue and disdain on her face. “I suppose it would, Mr. Carver. You mentioned that you’d like to address the camera directly, and we’ve given you a minute to speak your piece.”
The camera pans to Drake, centering him in the frame. “This is to the people of Sparkwood. I’m sorry you believed me to be a better man than I was. You deserve more from the people in power, but I’m going to need you all to back the hell up off my ex-wife. I’ve heard the stories of what’s happening to her.” His jaw tightens as he releases a noisy exhale. “I thought I had it bad, cooling my heels in a jail cell, but it was cake compared to the crap she’s dealing with daily.”
I’m frozen, unable to move, or speak, or even breathe.
“Kiki had nothing to do with any of this. Her only crime was believing the wrong guy.”
Danielle nods, considering his words as the camera swings back to her. “So why has she become the target of such hatred if she’s innocent?”
Drake scoffs. “Because she’s so kind that it’s easy to believe she’s not what she seems. But she is and the people of Sparkwood damn well know that, or they should. If you want to hate someone, hate me. Hate the people responsible for this situation. But leave her the hell out of it.”
He shifts in his seat, and for the first time, looks uncomfortable in his skin. “Kiki getting hurt is my biggest regret. I allowed it to happen and now, I’m making damn certain it stops.”
Seems that’s as close to an apology as I’m going to get.
But it’s way more than I ever hoped to receive.
Everyone focuses on me as the show continues to the next story.
I draw in a shaky breath and walk to the window on trembling legs. “What does that mean for me now?”
Ash steps beside me, grasping my hand. “It means it’s time for you to reclaim your damn spot in your family’s town. Welcome home, Kiki.”
“But what if nothing changes? What if I’m forever the outcast?”
“Just wait. The people of Sparkwood will be blowing up your phone soon. They’re not going to want to be on the wrong side of this mess.”
I wish I had one drop of his certainty.
Sparkwood is a beautiful town, but she’s proven to be an unforgiving beast, and I have no idea how much contrition her townspeople will show me now, if any at all.
My phone rings and I glance down, still numb from everything I just watched, half expecting it to be Eddie, or perhaps a town local, already making good on Ash’s bet that they’d come crawling back into my good graces.
It’s not.
Unknown Caller flashes across the screen, and a shiver of panic shoots through me. The only emotion these calls used to bring out in me was annoyance, as some telemarketer tried to sell me something I didn’t need or pry into my personal information.
Now? Identity theft is the least of my worries.
I brace myself and answer. “Hello?”
“Hey, sweet cheeks.”
My grip tightens in a stranglehold on my phone. Drake.
Glancing up, I notice everyone isveryinterested in my caller.
“Who is it?” Ori asks.
“Drake,” I mouth before excusing myself to the attached atrium for a moment of privacy.
