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“You’re making some big accusations with no actual proof.”

“I know,” Esme says. “I’m putting my cards on the table so you know what I’m dealing with. Right now, you’re the only person who can help me. You’re the only one who can get me to the right people.”

She’s not wrong. But I can’t and won’t throw Rebecca under the bus. If Esme doesn’t have proof that it was her, then I won’t be the one to confirm it.

Going on record about abuse is a big deal and it’s not my decision to make. It’s Rebecca’s. I know Esme knows this, but I can see she’s desperate.

She told me once, in a parking lot after the Gators match, that she’s never run anything somebody didn’t sign off on, and that one day I’d need to know that. I think this is the day she meant.

I take a deep breath. “I can’t help you right now, but that doesn’t mean that I won’t help you when you have proof.”

“That’s fair.”

“Just… do your research,” I say. “Find the evidence. And when you have it, come to me again. I’ll see what I can do.”

Esme smiles, but there’s no joy in it. “Thank you. You won’t regret it.”

I’m not so sure about that. But I also can’t let a monster like Declan get away with his crimes.

“Is that everything?” I ask. “Can I go back to enjoying my vacation now?”

“Yeah,” Esme says. “Sorry for dragging you out here. But this is important.”

I sigh. “I know. But so is my sanity.”

I stand up and so does she.

“Say hi to Valentina for me.”

“I will.”

“And Lexa?” she calls after me as I start walking away. “I’m happy for you. Valentina. The Golden Ball. It’s all a big deal. You deserve it.”

I turn back to her, surprised. “Thanks.”

“The offer for the interview still stands, although we’ll have to rework the friendly rivals angle.” She smiles and it’s a real one this time.

I laugh. “Yeah, I think we’re way past that.”

Esme winks. “Just keep it in mind.”

“I will. But don’t hold your breath.”

Esme laughs. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

I wave goodbye, then head to my car. As I drive away, I keep thinking about what Esme told me. It’s a lot to take in.

I don’t know how to feel. Angry, sad, disgusted. All of the above.

But it’s not my story to tell. It’s Rebecca’s, and the other girls’. None of them have asked me to tell it for them, and if I go charging in, I’m just one more person deciding things for them. I can’t get involved. Not like that.

But deep down, I know that I will. I know that when Esme comes back with hard proof, I won’t be able to say no.

Because of what he did to those girls. And because he did it while he was married to my sister, and nobody gets to do that to a Delvaux.

CHAPTER 3 – Alycia

Thursday, June 19