Page 33 of Pretty Black

“I think you’re actually right. I can’t imagine living through what he has.” I forced myself to pick up my phone, checking the time before messaging Alister.

Caspian: Do you want to read this press release or just have me explain it when you get here?

Alister: If it’s anything like the gossip blogs, send it. I’ll ask my questions when I get there.

Caspian: that bad?

Alister: Nothing worse than they’ve printed before, but this time it sounds like it’s the truth.

Caspian: great. I wish they’d fuck off and give him a few fucking days of peace.

Alister: I know.

I sent him the press release and forced myself out of my seat. “Tea?”

“Sure,” Lowe said, getting up to get cups while I got the kettle going. “So, what is our game plan?”

“What do you mean?”

“We aren’t letting that asshole get away with this.”

“What can we do outside of lawyers?” I asked, shooting him a look.

“Are you kidding?”

“The judge warned us—no fucking around. If he turns up dead, we are going to lose this case.”

“Won’t fucking matter if he’s fucking dead, will it?” Lowe rubbed his tongue on the inside of his cheek and got out his phone.

“Who are you calling?” I asked, grabbing for it before he brought someone else into this.

"Alister. Calm your tits.”

“I haven’t even talked to River yet. I don’t want this to get out of hand. Iris wouldn’t want that.” I didn’t want him to think I’d betrayed him again. I couldn’t do that to his fragile trust.

“Al,” Lowe said, clicking the phone to speaker.

“What’s up?” he asked, sounding concerned.

“King and Aspen with you?” Lowe asked, referring to Alister’s boyfriend and his brother.

“And Royal. It’s a party,” Alister laughed without humor. “It’s bad. This press release is bad.”

“Real bad,” Lowe confirmed.

“Which means all the shit they are printing is true.”

“Cas won’t say, but I’d say a fair bit of it,” Lowe said, meeting my eyes.

I stayed silent.

“What’s the game plan, then?” Alister asked, sounding as cold as I’d ever heard him.

“That’s why I asked if you had Aspen with you.”

“Oh,” Alister’s voice sounded…happier? Something. “And Royal.”

“Exactly.”

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