Page 110 of The Blackmail of Denise Randall

Where is our relationship going to go? Especially if I move to pursue a career in fashion? Would he move with me?

“Stop it, will ya?” He takes his headphones out and looks directly into my eyes. “You’re staring again with that look. Let’s take this day by day, okay?”

“I’m that easy to read, huh?”

“Quit worrying that lip.” I hadn’t realized I had nibbled on my bottom lip. He takes his thumb and pulls it from my teeth. “That’s my lip to nibble and snack on. Keep your chompers off.” He nudges me with his elbow. “Be with me right now.”

“I’m here, aren’t I?”

“No. You’re over there worrying about tomorrow. Next week. Probably five years from now. Be with me now, in the present.”

“What am I going to do, Keat?”

“Right now? If you want, we could go to the bathroom together?” He wiggles his eyebrows.

“Shut up. No, with myself?”

“Well, I’d like to watch you play with your-”

I clamp my hand over his mouth. “Don’t you dare, Keaton Sloan. You’re such a pervert!” I hiss.

He chuckles and takes my hand away. “I’m just trying to get you to lighten up. Denise, I like you. Hell, I’m over the moon for you. I love you.” He pauses. My breathing picks up. Before I can say anything, he continues. “I support any career or move you make. If you want me to join you on this journey, I’ll go. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. Let’s worry about today’s obstacles.” The seatbelt light comes on and we feel the plane begin its descent. Keaton squeezes my hand and smiles. “Like finding our car in the long-term parking lot.”

We find the car easy enough and throw our suitcases in the trunk. We get in the car and I relax in my seat as Keaton navigates through airport parking. A mile after taking the exit for Lumberton, the car begins to jerk. We both frown, and we feel the jerk again. We stop at a rest area and park. We both get out of the car and walk around to the front. Keaton lifts the hood and begins to examine the car.

“Enjoy your little trip? I didn’t enjoy my vacation.”

I gasp as we both turn around to find Isabelle Jamerson. She looks thinner than the last time I saw her, and her eyes bear hatred and vengeance.

“Isabelle? Wh-What are you doing here?”

She tosses her hands up and a cold laugh bubbles from her. “Why am I here and not on ‘vacation’ like my parents tried to tell everyone? My vacation consisted of therapists, shrinks, and nut jobs trying to probe my mind. They tried day after day to convince me that I’m crazy, and their jobs were getting easier since they were driving me there!”

Slowly and subtly, Keaton tries to position me behind him. I’m on the verge of tears as my eyes plead with her to understand what I tell her.

“I’m sorry. You attacked me, but I took it too far. I’m sorry.”

“I’m out now, you bitch. I escaped. I’m innocent! You’re lower than I thought. You were fucking Doctor Hall to have me sent away, rather than admit you were the one to assault me. Is this why Landon was never blamed for Luke’s death? Is this why the Randall family is not being held accountable for the wrongs the Jamersons have suffered? You’re growing up thinking and behaving just like the Randalls before you. Rich and entitled. Do anything to get your way.”

I hear the intake of breath from Keaton. Shit. I never told him about Roland. Not having time to explain, I focus on Isabelle and meet her wild eyes. “My family lost someone too, you know! Luke attacked Landon, just like you attacked me. I shouldn’t have gone as far with it as I did, but you attacked me and it’s your fault you went to rehab. You had drugs!”

“I went to rehab because you got me caught!”

“You followed me out.”

“You provoked me!”

“I’ve tried to avoid you for years. I wanted to comfort you and thought we could be there for each other after we both lost our brothers. But you sought out to destroy me.”

“And that hasn’t changed. You’re going to pay for both of your crimes.”

Keaton whispers under his breath for me to calm down and get behind him. I’m furious. Landon was innocent. I should’ve stood up for him a long time ago. I’m ashamed of who I was before, but I’m not a little girl anymore. God gave me two legs and a backbone to stand tall and be proud of my family.

“Stop it! Let the dead rest in peace. That was years ago and between our brothers. Whatever else my family has done should be none of your concern. I’m not responsible for their downfalls, but I will stand by them. We Randalls stand together.”

“Your brother-”

I interrupt her with a growl. “Landon didn’t cause your brother’s death. Leave Luke and Landon alone. Let them finally be at peace. We both owe them that. Go away and leave me alone. Leave the past and let’s agree to start fresh. Let’s consider ourselves even for what I did to you. You bullied me. I fought back but took it too far and I lied about what happened. You lost a couple of months, but I’d already lost years because of your vendetta against me. We’re done.”

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