Valorous (Quantum Series Book 2)

by Marie Force

  “Do you have any recourse there?”

  “We’re looking at all our options,” Flynn says. “Up to and including litigation.”

  That’s the first I’ve heard of that possibility. I clear my throat. “The parents of my students have petitioned the school’s board of directors, asking them to reinstate me. We’re waiting to hear if the board will overturn the principal’s decision.”

  “If you’re offered your job back, would you take it?”

  “I’m… I’m not sure. It would depend on a number of factors.”

  “Can you talk about what recourse you have against the lawyer who sold your story to the media?”

  Flynn takes that one. “We’re hoping for everything from disbarment to criminal and civil charges. I won’t be satisfied until he suffers at least half as much as Natalie has.”

  “Even to those of us who were appalled by how your story came to be public, it’s been hard not to be moved by your courage and fortitude. Can you talk about the decisions you made in the aftermath of the assault? Is it true that your attacker threatened your family’s safety and livelihood?”

  “He did, but there really was no decision. I had—or I guess I still have—younger sisters. I was absolutely certain that if I didn’t pursue charges, he would turn his attention on them at some point. I couldn’t let that happen, so going to the police was the only thing I could do.”

  “I understand you’ve had no contact with your family since you made that decision?”

  “That’s correct. My father worked for the governor and chose his lifelong friend over his own kid.” Despite my matter-of-fact delivery, it still hurts, even all these years later, to think about my father dragging my mother out of the hospital and out of my life, leaving me traumatized, brutalized and alone.

  “And how old were you, Natalie?” Carolyn’s voice has softened, and her eyes are bright with unshed tears.

  “Fifteen.”

  “What did you do? How did you cope? Did you ever consider not bringing charges against Oren Stone? Wow, sorry that’s three questions.”

  I laugh at her befuddled expression. “I was lucky to be taken in by the family of one of the detectives who’d worked on my case. They were very good to me. I also relied on financial support from Stone’s detractors who wanted to help me bring him down. And I never once considered not bringing charges or not supporting the case against him. What he did to me… Well, no one should get away with that.”

  “I’m curious as to how your name became public. You were a minor, and usually the names of assault victims are kept out of the media.”

  “We believe that Stone’s team leaked my name, hoping I’d back down from testifying, and by the time of the trial, it was no longer a secret. I was also the daughter of one of his top aides, so it didn’t take long for that connection to be part of the story.”

  “And when you heard he’d died in prison after being raped… What did you think?”

  “Karma. People get what’s coming to them in this life. I honestly believe if you’re a good person, good things will happen to you. If you’re evil… Well, you get what you deserve.”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” Carolyn says forcefully. That’s when I know she’s genuinely moved by my story. “I have to ask… Well, let’s go back to the week before the Golden Globes. You’ve just met Flynn and begun a whirlwind romance. He asks you to attend a very public event with him. Were you at all fearful of being exposed when you’d gone to such tremendous lengths to change your name and appearance and build a new life for yourself?”

  “To be completely honest… Maybe I was naïve to think the lawyer to whom I’d paid many thousands of dollars I couldn’t afford to waste would protect me because that was his job. He was ethically required to keep my secrets. It never occurred to me for one second that he wouldn’t.”

  “Flynn, before the story was made public, did you know about Natalie’s past?”

  I feel his entire body stiffen next to me. He doesn’t want to be here. He doesn’t want to talk about this, but he’s doing it because I asked him to, and I love him for that.

  “I knew she’d been assaulted. I didn’t know the full story until the rest of the world heard it. Our relationship was still very new at that time, and we hadn’t gotten that far yet.”

  “Natalie, would you have told Flynn your story eventually?”

  “I don’t know. At some point I probably would’ve had to explain why my family isn’t part of my life anymore. My closest friends didn’t know, so it’s not something I talk about—or talked about—before the whole world knew. The family who took me in after the attack still knows me as April. I haven’t seen them in years, though. They moved to Seattle after I was in college.”

  “The point,” Flynn says in a low growl, “is that it should’ve been up to Natalie to decide when and what she told me. That was taken out of her hands by someone she trusted, and that never should’ve happened.”

  “I can only imagine how you must’ve felt, Flynn, when the story went public.”

  “I’ve never thought I was capable of murder, but in this case…”

  “We could hardly blame you for feeling that way,” Carolyn says. “Anyone would. So what’re your plans now, Natalie?”

  “I haven’t really made plans, other than to spend some time here in LA with Flynn. We’re looking forward to the upcoming SAG Awards.”

  “You’re planning to attend? I’d heard you weren’t going.”

  “You heard wrong,” I say before he can reply. “We’ll be there, and I’ll be cheering for Flynn. His performance in Camouflage was amazing, and he deserves all the acclaim he’s receiving.”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” Carolyn says. “Best movie of the year, far and away.”

  “Thank you,” Flynn says gruffly.

  “And congratulations on all the Oscar nominations for Camouflage, Flynn. Any predictions?”

  “Nope,” Flynn says, making us both laugh.

  Carolyn props her chin on the upturned arm she’s rested against her knee and leans in. “I have to ask… What’s it like to date the biggest movie star in the universe?”

  I laugh at the fangirl question and because that’s how I’ve thought of him, too. “It’s… When I first started seeing Flynn, my roommate in New York asked if I thought I’d ever see him as anything other than Flynn Godfrey, biggest movie star in the universe. To me… He’s just Flynn, the sweetest, kindest, sexiest, most thoughtful man I’ve ever met, and I’m beyond blessed to be spending time with him, especially these last few days. He’s been incredibly supportive through all of this.”

  “That’s quite an endorsement,” Carolyn says. “What do you think, Flynn?”

  “I’m the lucky one.” He brings my hand to his lips, and I imagine every woman in America swooning at the way he looks at me as he brushes his lips over my knuckles.

  “Flynn, you’ve repeatedly said you’d never marry again. Have you changed your mind about that since you met Natalie?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Carolyn clearly wasn’t expecting him to be so definite. “Do I hear wedding bells ringing for you two?”

  He never takes his eyes off me when he says, “As soon as we possibly can.”

  “Is that a proposal we just heard?” Carolyn nearly levitates out of her seat with excitement. He’s handed her a huge scoop on a silver platter.

  “No, it wasn’t.” Flynn laughs at her reaction. “When I ask Natalie to be my wife, it’ll be a very private and personal moment between the two of us and no one else.”

  “And I’ll be the first to know afterward?” Carolyn asks with a hopeful smile.

  “Maybe after I tell my folks.”

  “Fair enough. Speaking of your parents, Natalie, have you met Max and Estelle?”

  “I have, and they’re every bit as wonderful as they seem, as are Flynn’s sisters, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. They’re an incredible family, and they’ve made me feel very welcom
e.”

  “One final question before I let you go. After all these years, if you could say anything to your family back home in Nebraska, what would it be?”

  Without hesitation, I say, “I would tell my sisters that I love and miss them so much. And I’d love to hear from them any time.”

  “They can contact Natalie through my company, Quantum Productions, in LA,” Flynn adds. “They’ll always be welcome anywhere we are.”

  Carolyn reaches across the space between our chairs and puts her hand on top of ours, which are joined. “Thank you so much for talking to me today. I hope you know how awed we are by your courage and strength. I’ll be pulling for the two of you and rooting for you, Flynn, as award season continues.”

  “Thanks, Carolyn,” he says.

  “Yes, thank you for having us.”

  “Entirely my pleasure.”

  “And we’re out,” the director announces.

  “That was great, you guys,” Carolyn says, rising to hug us both after we’re relieved of the microphones. She holds me for a second longer than expected. “I’m in awe of you, Natalie. Truly.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’ve got one of the good guys here.”

  “I’m well aware of that,” I say with a smile for Flynn.

  He puts his arm around me and kisses my temple. “Are we good to go, Carolyn?”

  “Yes, you are. This’ll air next week. We’ll let you know when. Thank you again, and good luck at the Oscars. Not that you’ll need it.”

  “Don’t jinx him,” I say. “He’s very superstitious.”

  “No jinx intended. Just stating the truth.”

  Flynn kisses Carolyn’s cheek. “You were spot-on today. I won’t forget that.” He guides me from the conference room. “You wanna see my office?”

  “Sure.”

  It’s located at the end of a long hallway and looks out over the sprawling city of Los Angeles. “Look,” he says, pointing to the Hollywood sign in the distance. Farther to the west, I can see the Pacific.

  His office is huge and modern, with three glass walls that make the most of his exceptional view. Like his home offices, the desk is stacked with piles on top of piles. “Let me guess, Addie isn’t allowed in here either.”

  “That’s right. A man’s office is sacred.”

  “And messy. I’d love to get my hands on all three of your so-called offices. I’d have you whipped into shape in no time.”

  The look he gives me is filled with horror. “Don’t you dare!”

  I’m relieved by the return of his playful side, which I’ve missed. “You’d better be nice to me, or I might be tempted.”

  His arms come around me from behind. “Baby, I’m always nice to you.”

  I relax into his embrace. “Yes, you are.”

  He nuzzles my neck, setting off a chain reaction that has all my most important parts standing up to take notice of his nearness. “What’re you thinking about, sweetheart?”

  “What you said in there… To Carolyn.”

  “I said a lot of things.”

  “You certainly did.”

  “Do you mean about us getting married?” he asks.

  “Um… yeah…”

  “That surprised you?”

  “Just a little.”

  With his hands on my shoulders, he turns me to face him. “Where do you think this is heading? I’d marry you today if I didn’t think it was too soon for you.”

  “Oh. You would?”

  He frames my face in his big hands and kisses me. “You bet your ass I would. I want you to be mine, forever and always. I want to know that we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together. I don’t think I’ll be able to truly relax where you’re concerned until my ring is on your finger.”

  “Flynn… You take my breath away.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  “So wait, that was a proposal?” My heart is beating so fast, I place my hand over it, hoping to calm it.

  “It was more of a fishing expedition. The actual proposal will be much more romantic than that and will include an absolutely stunning ring—a ring that will do justice to the woman I love and want to spend my life with. So no, that wasn’t an official proposal. But if it had been, hypothetically… What might your answer be?”

  I love him so much when he shows me his vulnerability and that he takes nothing for granted where I’m concerned. “My answer would be…”

  “Fuck, Nat! You’re killing me here.”

  “Yes. I would say yes a thousand times over.”

  He lifts me into a kiss. “Only a thousand?”

  “A hundred million.”

  After another kiss, he says, “That’s a good number, and it’s about what you’ll be worth once you say ‘I do.’”

  “I don’t care about that. I hope you know—”

  Another kiss. “I do, sweetheart. I know.” He returns me to terra firma and holds me close. “Did we just talk about what I think we talked about?”

  “I think we did. And despite what you think, I’d marry you today, too.”

  “I love you, Nat. I was so fucking proud of you during that interview. You amaze me every day, and all I can think about is keeping you forever, right here in my arms where you belong.”

  “There’s nowhere else in the world I’d rather be.”

  “Not even in New York with your class?”

  I think about that for a second, but it doesn’t take even that long for me to decide. “Not even there.”

  His arms tighten around me until I can barely breathe. But who needs air when Flynn Godfrey is professing his eternal love?

  A knock on the door interrupts the moment, but he only releases me partially, keeping an arm around my shoulders. “Come in.”

  Addie ducks her head in. “Sorry to interrupt.”

  “Were you able to get it?” Flynn asks.

  “Please… Of course I was.”

  “I apologize for doubting you.”

  I have no idea what they’re talking about.

  Addie comes in and hands a package and a piece of paper to Flynn.

  I do a double take when I see my photo on the page. “What is that?”

  “That, my love, is your newly issued State of California driving permit. Today you’re learning how to drive.”

  Chapter 8

  She’s so nervous her hands are shaking as she takes the wheel in the silver Mercedes sedan she admired when we were here for the Globes. I told her it was hers to use whenever we were in LA, and that’s when she said she didn’t know how to drive.

  My poor sweet Natalie missed so many of the rites of passage the rest of us take for granted, and I want to make it all up to her, starting with teaching her how to drive.

  “What if I hit something or damage the car? You love your cars.”

  From the passenger seat, I take hold of her hand and wait for her to look at me. “I don’t love my cars anywhere near as much as I love you.”

  Raising a brow, she says, “Even the Bugatti?”

  She’s bringing out the big guns. I swallow hard. “Even the Bugatti.”

  She loses it laughing. “You lie. You love that car more than anything.”

  “No, sweetheart, I love you more than anything. The cars are things. They can all be replaced. And they’re insured. Fully insured.”

  “If you’re sure.”

  “I’m positive. I want you to know how much fun it is to drive and to be able to go anywhere you want whenever you want.”

  In a nearby SUV is the security detail that’s sticking close to us until the story about Natalie’s past gets knocked out of the headlines by someone else’s scandal. We’re in the Quantum parking lot, where there’s plenty of extra room to practice the basics.

  I go over all the features of the car and tell her where everything is. “Driving is all about being predictable. Whatever you do, it should be what the guy behind you expects you to do. Does that make sense? In other words, you don’t stop at a
green light or in the middle of a turn or anything that’s going to get you hit from behind.”

  “Okay… What else?”

  “Go slow at first, until you get a feel for the car and what it’s capable of.”

  “I can’t believe the first car I’m ever going to drive is a Mercedes.”

  “Mine was a Jaguar. My dad was a freaking mess the whole time. I accused him of being far more concerned about the car than he was about me. He didn’t deny it.”

  The story makes her laugh, as I hoped it would.

  “Let’s give it a whirl.” I point to the key, and she turns it, starting the car. “Now put it in Drive.”

  “You’re sure about this?”

  “Positive. Take me for a ride, sweetheart.” I add a wink and a smile to remind her of the last time I said those words to her, and she blushes adorably.

  We do a hundred laps around the parking lot, and as expected, she’s a cautious, conscientious driver. I suppose that’s the benefit of learning at twenty-three rather than at sixteen when you’re too stupid to know how many ways this activity can get you killed. Natalie has been an adult since she was fifteen, and comes at driving with adult sensibilities.

  “What do you think?” I ask her after an hour of driving in circles. “Want to take to the road?”

  “Like the actual road with other cars? I don’t think I’m ready for that.”

  “Sure you are. You’ll do great.” I signal to the SUV to let the security guys know we’re leaving.

  “Flynn, seriously, this is not a good idea.”

  I lean over to kiss her cheek. “It’s a great idea. My parents are expecting us for a late lunch, and we need to get going.” I point to the parking lot exit.

  She grits her teeth and aims the car in the direction I’ve indicated. What should be a twenty-minute ride to Beverly Hills takes forty minutes as Natalie drives so slowly that it’s all I can do not to lose it laughing as one car after another goes by us with angry drivers flashing the bird at my girl.

  “People here are mean,” she says, breaking a long silence.

  “I think it’s more that they expect the other cars on the road to at least drive the speed limit.”