Page 62 of A Reluctant Boy Toy
“Dad came by Mom's place the next day. He and I were supposed to have brunch. He took one look at me and called an ambulance. I was bruised and so out of it I couldn’t remember what had happened. I had dried blood under my fingernails.”
“So your dad got the police involved?”
“That was just the beginning. We filed a police report. Do you know how many of those end up in limbo when someone is famous or rich or powerful? Dad hired investigators, found all the players, and sued the studio. Age of consent in California is eighteen, plus, most of those men had power over my career in some way. We settled out of court. They required a bulletproof NDA. Dad said that was the best we could hope for, and after the whole Me Too movement broke out, I realized how right he was. People got away with everything back then.”
“All of that is in your past.” When I started to argue, Stone held up his hand. “I don’t mean that you should forget it. Rather, why would anyone want to start the story going again.”
“I don’t know. Dad says he’s hired people to find out…but…I can’t go through all that again. Do you understand? I can’t.”
“You shouldn’t have to. Can’t you just walk away for a while?
“You don’t know what it was like,” I said angrily. “Reporters called at all hours of the day and night. Paparazzi followed my every move. I couldn’t go anywhere or do anything on my own. Ever. And the online trolls. Oh my God. I can’t do it.”
I tried to turn away before the first tears fell, but Stone caught my face between his hands and held it. “Bast. You certainly can walk away from that. Let your Dad handle the investigation. Let Molly be your eyes and ears for a while. Turn off your electronics and walk away.”
“How?” he asked. “Where can I go that they can’t just get to me any time I step outside?”
“You’re going to be stuck in the hospital for at least a few more days, then you’ll need to recuperate, probably for months. Come to Colorado with me. My cabin’s not huge, but I have an office and a guest room. If reporters try to stake you out, I live in a compound with fifteen hybrid wolfdogs. The outer grounds, where Ariel and Taggart live, house around eight wolves. We take security very seriously. There’s no way in or out without Ariel’s permission.”
“You’d really let me stay at your place?”
He flushed. “Of course. We’re friends, aren’t we?”
“You’ve been really nice to me, but you’ve only known me for a few days.”
“Maybe I recognize a kindred spirit.”
The door opened, and Molly came in along with Dad and Morrigan, who wore her very identifiable service harness and marched in docilely on a short leash. She looked to Stone for permission before poking her nose up and looking at me.
“How’d you get the dog in here?”
Dad grinned. “I invoked the Americans with Disabilities Act. There’s a Marine veteran here who needs his certified support animal.”
“I’m not a patient, though. That’s why they said she couldn’t come in.”
“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.” Dad patted Stone’s shoulder.
I was probably going to wake up any moment.
“Did Stone tell you what we talked about at dinner?”
A flush rode his cheekbones. “I was just getting to that.”
“It’s a great idea.” Dad folded his arms as if he was preparing for me to argue. “Colorado is wonderful this time of year. The aspens are probably getting ready to turn. You’ll be an hour outside Boulder, so there will be medical facilities to aid your recovery. I can even hire a visiting nurse to help—”
“That’s not necessary.” Molly rightly halted that massive intrusion. “Whatever Sebastian needs, I can take care of him.”
“Fine. But I intend to keep an eye on things,” Alastair warned.
“Of course.” Molly nodded.
Dad’s face held regret. “Last time, despite the gag order, things leaked to the media. I never expected the intense media scrutiny, but you’d been in the public eye all your life. I assumed you were used to the media attention. I didn’t understand the pressure you were facing online or the subtle grudges people might keep, even after all these years.”
“So the plan going forward is you get stronger,” Molly said. “That means both physically and emotionally. You’ll need to see a therapist as often and as long as necessary.”
I nodded. “Noted.”
“Molly will be your eyes and ears online,” Dad said. “While I sort out where this new video came from and if there are more.”
