Page 190 of Torrid Passion
The walls around me seem to close in on me… and crumble at the same time. I know it’s an impossibility, but it’s the best way I can describe it. Nausea twists my stomach and I smother the urge to vomit.
“My parents,” I whisper. I pull in a shuddering breath and bury my face in my hand. I can only think of them and the shame and embarrassment I’ll bring to my family. “My poor, poor parents.” The ache of remorse—that’s been there since this ordeal started—intensifies.I’m a disgrace to the O’Keeffe name.This will kill them.
“Kyla, you need to call the SWAT team. Now!” Hayden says.
“It’s too late,” I tell her. “It’s out there.”
“Puh-lease,” Stella rolls her eyes. “The SWAT team can turn any sinner into a saint. They’re your only salvation.”
“I don’t want this to get any worse,” I argue. “I need to protect my parents and my brothers.”
“It’s already a pretty big fucking deal,” Stella says. “I know it’s early, but who says they don’t already know? You need damage control!”
“Youneedthe SWAT team!” Hayden agrees.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but who—or what—is the SWAT team?” Loki asks.
I let out a heavy sigh. “My cousins, Jewel, Clare and Mara O’Keeffe.”
“Those women are razor-sharp,” Hayden says.
I turn my phone so they can see Loki.
“They are the best,” Stella adds.
“The best at what?” he asks.
“They’re all sisters. Uncle Kendrick—Dad’s oldest brother—is their father,” I explain. “They own CheckMate Public Relations. My three cousins and their team of astute wizards handle PR situations too dicey for the average publicist. Their clients run the gamut of the upper echelon in LA. Most of Hollywood’s big studio execs have them on speed dial… for those situations that require uncanny skills.”
“I see,” Loki says. “I don’t know if Larkin works with CheckMate, but I’m pretty sure he has a team of highly capable publicists expert in handling shit storms like these. Between his experts and your cousins, we’ll make sure your name doesn’t get dragged into the mud any further than it already has.”
“I can’t believe this,” I shake my head. “How did this happen? Why am I being targeted?” My frustration matches my despondence.
“We need to tell your parents. And mine,” Loki tells me. “Harlow needs to know as well.”
So far, I’ve refused to open up to Mom, Dad or my brothers, but now I have no choice.
“He’s right,” Hayden says.
“This is a fucking nightmare,” I growl, anger taking over me.
“Jewel, Clare and Mara will find a way to spin this,” Stella says.
I turn my phone so I can see her.
“They will,” Hayden says.
“In the meantime, my life is a mess.”
“I need to call Larkin,” Loki says. “I’m sure the security team out there has already warned their supervisors, but he needs to know things have escalated and he needs to hear it from me.”
“You’re right,” I say.
“You can’t stay here, though,” Loki says.
“You want us to go back to your place?” I ask.
“No. I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he says. “We don’t know how many people are behind this. With the circus out there, if your stalker or stalkers didn’t know where you live… they do now. They may have already figured out where I live or maybe they’re waiting to follow us there. This is getting too risky.”
