Page 62 of Riot

She’s quiet for a moment, pondering my words

“I was hoping this would happen one day,” she says softly. “I knew if I stood up alone, no one would believe me. Everything I worked for would go down the drain, and I would be branded a liar, a troublemaker, so instead I waited and worked, giving back to those without voices or power, hoping it would be us one day—be me.” Her eyes meet mine once more. “I’m with you. They stole so much from us, but they can’t take our voices, our future, or our truth. Whatever you are doing, I’m in. Let’s bring the entire house down.”

“It’s time for you to take your voice back, not just lend it to others,” I murmur. “I’m sorry it took me so long.”

“Don’t be.” She covers my hand, and I see understanding in her gaze. “We all cope in our own ways, and you, Fallon, owe nobody a fucking explanation for how you have dealt with it. I’ll stand with you throughout it. I won’t let them win. I can’t. I made my life mean something, but sometimes, I’m still that scared young girl, wishing this world were different. Let’s make it different for the next generation, so nobody goes through it again. Let’s change the world together, you and me.”

That, right there, is the reason she got where she is. She inspires and protects. She’s a goddamn entity unto herself, and I’m glad she’s on my side. We share a knowing look of two people who survived the worst of this world. It’s an understanding.

“So how do we begin?” she asks.

“I’m collecting evidence at the moment, collecting testimonies and people. We don’t have enough to convict, since it’s our word against theirs, but we can ruin their names and lives. We can make it so the public will never forgive or forget. When it’s time, I’m going to expose it to everyone—blast it everywhere and flood the world with it.”

“Make it so they can’t turn a blind eye this time.” She smiles. “Smart.”

Taking her drink, I knock it back. “We’ll empty the barrel of the secrets and take away their safety, their comfort, like they did with us.” Standing, I smile at her. “I’ll be in touch. Thank you, Evelyn.”

She smiles at me, her expression so bright it’s hard to resist, and then I realize I have been smiling more . . . feeling more. “I mean it. Seeing you succeed has given me a drive to do the same. Knowing you were out there gave me comfort, I guess. I didn’t have to be so broken.”

“Fallon, for what it’s worth, you inspire me every day.” I frown, unsure, and she grins. “You’re so strong and confident, and you always have been. You have this quiet inner strength that I don’t think you even recognize in yourself. That’s why so many people try to use it, use you, to tear you down. They see it and it scares them. I think if you wanted to, Fallon, you could do anything. Let’s show them that. Let’s show them what a woman can do.”

The news breaks that night as we are eating dinner. We both watch them report on it. Anger courses through me so viciously that I break my wine glass. Without a word, Kage cleans it up and checks my hand before holding me as the reporter tells us what they know.

“The suspected cause of death of Giles Horn, who you might remember once managed Electric Giants, is suicide—” Grabbing the remote, I mute the TV and sit back heavily.

We saw him only today.

“He didn’t kill himself,” I snap as I look at Kage. “He didn’t. He isn’t brave enough to do that. He’s weak and stupid, and he wanted to live. He didn’t do it, I know he didn’t.”

They said there was a gun found in his hand, so they’ll write it off as suicide, but he didn’t do it. I’m pissed as hell.

“We visited him, and he withdrew, then a few hours later, he’s found dead?” Kage sighs. “No, this was murder. Someone was silencing him. They are worried about what he knew. He was sleazy but not stupid. They killed him and made it look like suicide, which means they know we are after them. It’s more dangerous than I thought.” I frown, and he smiles sadly. “A man willing to rape and drug women and children won’t want that truth to come to light years later. They will stop at nothing to cover their tracks, especially after getting away with it for so long. It could be any of them. We need to be careful. They won’t stop now, not after crossing that line. They can’t go back.”

“I won’t stop,” I snap. “I’m not giving up or letting them win. Let them come after me. I’ll kill them myself. Hell, I’d look good in a prison jumpsuit.”

He grins as he kisses me. “I’m not asking you to give up. I’m just saying we need to be smarter. We underestimated who we are up against, and we can’t make that mistake again. We’ll win this, sweetheart. I’ll make sure of it. You focus on your end, and I’ll focus on keeping us safe, okay?”

“He’s dead. Without his word . . .” I sigh.

“We have his evidence, and we have enough to keep going. I’ll pull some strings, call some people, and make them open an investigation into the death so they can’t ignore it. That will only add fuel to the fire. Don’t forget I’m here, sweetheart. We are doing this together, and I won’t let them lay a hand on you. They may be willing to kill someone to silence them, but I’m willing to kill them for even coming near you,” he promises, kissing me once more. “They don’t stand a chance. They are scared and hiding in the dark, desperate enough to kill. I’ll keep you safe, Fallon. Do you trust me?”

“Yes,” I answer without hesitation, shocking myself. For someone who swore to live a life without ever letting anyone close, I trust Kage completely.

“Good.” Kissing me once more, he holds my hand while he takes his phone out. My eyes go back to the news, and I wonder who was behind it.

Who would be desperate enough to kill and smart enough to cover it up?

They must have connections, power, and something to lose.

It seems the game just got a lot more interesting.

THIRTY-ONE

Irefuse to hide and look scared. Instead, I do the opposite. I show my face so they know exactly whom they are dealing with. Kage and I still have lives outside this revenge—we are superstars, after all. He has a show tonight for charity, and he was going to cancel, but I wouldn’t let him.

This is just as important, and I refuse to lose our entire lives over the past. They can’t have that. I stand in the VIP booth to the side, waiting for him to come on and perform. I’ve seen him online and in interviews, but never in person, and I’ll admit it gives me a little thrill. All the fans are screaming for him, holding signs and chanting his name, but he’s all mine.

Pushing my lanyard to the front where it proudly says his name, I lean into the rail and wait. I made sure to look extra good since I knew there would be cameras everywhere and fans looking at me. My dress is black and cut high to display my thigh on one side, the other trailing in a long train. The edges of the neckline are white, as are the buttons down the front, and the shoulders are sheer with white diamonds. My hair is curled back and pinned, with some wavy pieces framing my face, and my makeup was pristine, but Kage kissed the shit out of me before letting me out of his sight.

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