Page 76 of Wicked Scandal

At this time, Catherine Jenkins, nor Wilder Cromwell, are suspects in the death of the mayor. However, investigators believe the two could be together after a public argument at the Willow Creek High graduation ceremony.

We are urging the community to be mindful when they are out. If you see anything suspicious, please call the Willow Creek police department immediately.

More details to follow as they become available.

I watch her intently as she reads, her features tightening with each passing second. Her mouth drops open and her chest rises and falls rapidly.

“We’re missing?” she spits out as she hands back the phone. “I mean, I should have known I would be, but why are they involving you in an article that has to do with me and Troy?”

I shrug. “Someone must’ve told the police we’ve gotten closer. Students have been talking about that video. One, or all of them, probably spilled everything.”

“You don’t think it was Elodie and Rome, do you?”

I shake my head adamantly. “God, no. Elodie and Rome want to help us. They’d never turn their backs on us like that.”

“I’m so sorry you’ve been dragged into this,” she says, and I can tell her heart is heavy right now.

“Baby,” I say as I pull her close. “Why are you apologizing? I’m here because there is nowhere else I’d rather be right now.” I kiss her head, hoping she believes it. “People are going to talk, but we know the truth. Before long, it’ll be revealed.”

CHAPTER 25

CATHERINE

A blinding realization smashes into me like a wrecking ball. “We have to go back,” I blurt out. “We have to go, right now.”

I can’t believe I didn’t think about this sooner.

“Why? What’s wrong?” Wilder grabs me by both arms, looking into my eyes.

“You might want to sit down,” I say remorsefully. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

Wilder pulls out a chair and sits down, but he pulls me onto his lap. “This sounds serious.”

“It is. There are some things you don’t know, but I feel like you need to know. I don’t want secrets between us.”

Sensing my unease, he rubs my leg. “You can tell me anything. I’ve got you…always.”

“It has to stay between us because if it ever got out to the wrong person, my life would be over.”

I never thought I’d share this with another person, but I trust Wilder and he deserves the full story. He deserves to know why I stayed even when my heart called out to his.

“Of course,” he says with a tone that is far too casual. I know he’s downplaying this for my sake, and I’m grateful for that.

I take a deep breath, doing my best to keep my voice strong. It’s been a long time since I’ve talked about that day.

“You know about the abuse, but what you don’t know is why I stayed. I couldn’t leave because Troy threatened to hand over my identity to some very dangerous men. At the time, I had no idea he once worked for these men.”

“Okay.” He nods slowly. “And why would some dangerous men want anything from you?”

For the longest time I’d wished I could go back and change ever meeting Troy. But then, I would have never come to Willow Creek and I never would have met Wilder.

Eleven years ago

I’m sitting at a bar when a handsome man approaches me. He’s in a nice suit and his hair is done up in a messy way, but you can tell he tried to style it.

Tonight I ran away from my boyfriend after I found out he’s been dealing drugs for a gang in the area. I knew us living out of a car for the past few months had been rough on him, but gangs are not something I ever wanted to get involved in.

When the gentleman sits down, he smiles at me. It’s warm and inviting, unlike anything I’m used to. Usually men like this want one thing, but this man looks at me like maybe I could be his one thing.

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