Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 109368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
My pulse raced, realizing the UK had woken up to our story.
Ramsay sensed my tension. “What is it?”
“Perri says the Chronicle published the article last night.”
“Who are you talking to?” Perri asked.
“A … friend.”
A ‘friend’ who was muttering curse words under his breath.
“I wanted to give you a heads-up because I think your little island will be invaded with the media once they track you down.”
“I’m surprised they weren’t already waiting outside the hospital.”
“Yeah, lucky. But you’re good?”
“I will be.”
“Fuck, Tierney, I … I am so sorry about this. I really didn’t think he was stupid enough to do something like that.”
“Well, thankfully, he was. This only helps our case.”
She snorted. “You know, you would make an excellent investigative reporter with that attitude. You have balls of steel.”
I laughed softly. “Nah. I think once this all blows over, I’ll be happy with my remote little life.”
I felt Ramsay’s attention, but I turned to look out the window, my throat closing with emotion.
Because I had been stupid enough to believe my remote little life would include him.
Perri and I chatted more about what to expect next. As soon as we hung up, Ramsay connected his phone to the car and called Quinn. Quinn asked how I was and then Ramsay told him about the article.
“Aye, everyone’s already talking about it. The whole island is abuzz now that they know who is behind the threats against Tierney. Some apologies have also been made to those who were accused,” he said, a hint of amusement in his tone. “You can imagine how that went. But we’re all proud of Tierney and what her parents were trying to uncover.”
There went my throat constricting again. I couldn’t speak. Ramsay took one glance at my face and replied for me, “Silver’s a wee bit emotional right now, but she’s grateful.”
An ache panged across my chest and with it, hope.
Had I read him wrong?
Was he … I was so confused.
“We’re here for you, Tierney,” Quinn replied softly. “And I’ll warn everyone about the media frenzy, but I think most of us already knew to expect it after reading the article this morning.”
After the call with Quinn, Cammie called to check in. She was with Taran.
I felt their love and kindness wash over me.
Even as I continued to worry about London.
About Ramsay.
About the media.
Around the halfway mark in the journey, I had to ask Ramsay to stop so I could relieve myself and because I was getting faint with hunger. He pulled into a large service station that had several fast-food options.
He insisted on rounding the car to help me out and he stayed glued to my side as I insisted on walking by myself. My wound radiated pain up my torso and down across my stomach. Frustration blazed through me as I realized I wasn’t going to be up and on my feet quite as quickly as I’d thought.
Ramsay saw my struggle, took hold of my elbow, and led me directly to the restroom. I stopped him. “You’re not coming in with me.”
“You need help.”
“I’m peeing on my own.” I gritted my teeth and used what strength I had left to get myself into the restroom and to a toilet cubicle.
Self-pitying tears welled in my eyes as I took care of business, my stomach throbbing the entire time. This overly emotional crap was not helping anything!
Willing myself to keep it together, I got out and over to the sinks to wash my hands. I was out of breath and hot all over. I had to take a minute, resting against the counter. Maybe it was time for some pain relief too.
Ramsay waited outside the door and slid an arm around my waist before I could say a word. “Lean on me now,” he demanded.
So I did.
People were looking at us, but I no longer cared. I needed a seat, pain relief, and food. I told Ramsay as much.
“I should have brought the food to the damn car,” he muttered.
“I still needed to pee,” I whispered as I slid into a booth.
He grumpily took my order, and I didn’t get mad at his mood because I knew he was annoyed I was in pain.
And there I went getting all hopeful and optimistic again.
Because surely if he cared this much about me …
While Ramsay ordered the food, I googled the article. It was difficult not to start sobbing in the middle of the restaurant as I read Rahman’s, my parents’, and Ben’s story in black and white. Perri had added my attack and Halston’s arrest into the finished article. Now the whole world knew what had been done to my family for trying to tell the truth.
Pride, almost unbearable pride, burned through me.
My parents had been so strong in their convictions. They’d gone after the answers they needed, even if it hurt them.