“Good. You deserve a happy ending.”
I hug her again, kissing the top of her head. Nev and I both deserve a happy ending, and I’m pretty sure we’re going to get it.
Chapter 21
Neveah
We never went back to the island, docking at a bigger one pretty far away. The guys had grabbed my passport and bags for me, so there was nothing to go back for. After the compound was destroyed, no one should wonder why I would make a hasty getaway. The plane ride home was equally uneventful, as was the drive to Kendrick’s house.
Since none of us are ready to confess where we were, and what I did just yet, Matt thought we should go to Kendrick instead of having him come to us. He doesn’t look too happy to see us when he opens his front door, and when we push our way in, I see why.
Matisse is sitting on the floor in front of his coffee table, which is covered in food containers, candles, and various anatomy books. “Sorry to interrupt,” Aiden says with a smirk. “We didn’t realize you were already playing doctor.”
“I’m helping her with her studies,” Kendrick tells him, practically growling.
“Are you okay, Nev?” my friend asks me.
“I’ve been worse, but, I’ve also been better. I’ll survive.”
“Now that we’ve all exchanged pleasantries, can you tell me what you’re doing here, invading my home?”
The guys look between Matisse and me, silently asking if I can trust her. I nod, and then answer him. “I was shot last night. Nate patched me up, but the guys thought I should see you to make sure I’m really okay.”
“Shot? Who shot you?” Matisse asks me.
“I have no idea. I saw him, but I don’t know his name or anything like that.”
“Did you tell Reina?”
“No, and I know it’s a lot to ask, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t, either.”
“I thought you guys were going fishing,” Kendrick says, pinning Matt with a fierce look.
“We did. Caught some great swordfish, among other things.”
“And you were with them on this fishing trip, Neveah?”
“I had some things to do, and then I joined them on the yacht.”
“Things like blowing up a drug cartel’s compound in the Caribbean?”
“I’m not going to confirm that.”
“But you’re not going to deny it, either, are you?”
“No.”
“Whoa! You did that, Nev? What am I talking about—of course you did that. I heard how they threatened Dylan. Damn girl, I didn’t know you had that in you,” Matisse says, bumping me with her hip.
“Neither did I,” I admit. “Until I had to do it.”
“If the twenty questions are over, can you take a look at her so we can all go home?” Jake asks.
“Yes, of course. Where were you shot?” Kendrick asks me.
I lift the sleeve of the maxi dress I’m still wearing, and he unwraps the bandages around my biceps. He nods at the stitches I hadn’t seen until now, and then tells Nate that it looks nearly perfect, and there will be minimal scarring.
“Thanks, Nate,” I tell him again.
“No problem,” he responds with a shrug.
Kendrick gets some medical supplies from a spare room in the house, and cleans the area before putting on some ointment, and re-bandaging me back up. He also hands me a pill bottle. “Take these as you need them for pain.”
“Okay,” I tell him.
“Don’t try and deny yourself because you think you should be able to endure the pain. Your body knows what you need better than you do, and you don’t want to make it angry. You got shot in a good place, relatively speaking. You’ll be sore and stiff, but you should have some mobility back even by tomorrow if you take your pills and get some rest tonight.”
“I promise to listen to my body,” I tell him with a laugh.
“We should head out so Matisse can listen to Kenny’s body,” Aiden tells us with another smirk.
“We are studying!” Kendrick yells while we all try not to laugh.
Matisse leans over to whisper in my ear. “I’m trying hard to do more than study, but he’s so damn stubborn.”
“Keep trying, my friend. I have a feeling you’ll win him over.”
“I hope so.”
The guys and I say our final goodbyes, and drive to the apartments. When we get there, we split up, because I wasn’t supposed to be with them. I thank them all again, and go upstairs to get some sleep. I know that even though he said it’s my decision, Matt wants me to tell Reina what I did. He’s right—I have to tell her. Not just for me, but for the other guys, and also now for Matisse and Kendrick. It’s not fair of me to make them keep my secrets, and I’m not comfortable asking them to do it for an extended period of time. So, tomorrow’s the day for my confession, while tonight is the night for rest.
* * *
Dylan
“Stella talked to the other two girls and they’re willing to come forward,” Reina tells me as I sit in her office.
“How much?”
“They don’t want money. They were unwilling to lie for Eric because they said you were a nice guy. They’ve been waiting for you to ask them to come forward.”
“They know I’m not getting with them again, right?” I ask, because stranger things have been expected of me.
“No. Stella made it clear that there would be no repeat performances.”
“Cool. So when do you think we can get this done?”
“I’ve called the press conference for an hour from now.”
“An hour?” I ask, knowing she has the means to work fast, but not expecting it to happen this fast.
“I thought you’d want to strike back right away.”
“Oh, I do. I’m just surprised. The girls are here?”
“They’re with Stella, yes.”
“I owe her a thank you. And maybe a shopping spree or something.”
“She would never turn down a chance to go shopping. You two can work it out.”
“Thank you, Reina. When Sadiq told me about the Society, and what you all did, I was scared for my sister. After meeting all of you, and seeing the training Nev was doing—even though she didn’t tell me exactly what is was, I knew it was rigorous—I just feel pride. Both for Ellie and Nev, but also that there’s a group like you that exists in the world.”
“I’m pretty proud of us myself. I’d like to have a few words with the military person who told Sadiq, but what’s done is done. I’ve been assured this person will never speak of us again.”
“You’re kind of scary when you want to be.”
“No, Dylan. I’m very scary when I want to be. Now let’s go see Audrey and Camari about your speech.”
I follow her out of her office and down the hall to Audrey’s. An hour later, I’m dressed in a designer suit that Stella got me, and getting ready to read a statement Audrey helped me write. Camari gave me some tips on how to deflect questions meant to set me off, and I’ve said a polite hello to the two women I had group sex with. I square my shoulders and step up to the podium. I usually associate “Showtime” with starting a new game on the court, but right now, it’s time for me to play the most important game of my life.
“Good morning everyone. I appreciate you coming out here today on such short notice. I have a statement I’d like to read for you, and then I have a couple of women who have some things to say as well. After that, I’ll take a few questions.
“I want to start by saying that the pictures of me going around the internet, are in fact, of me. They have not been doctored. I am not ashamed of them, or what I did, because I don’t feel that anyone should be ashamed of sex. I am a healthy young man with a healthy sexual appetite, and I have never mistreated any woman who I’ve had sex with.
“What I do need to take issue with is the reports about the timing of those pictures. They were not taken in the last month like you’ve all been told. In fact, they were taken at my agent’s home. He
threw a party when I signed with him as a rookie a few years ago, and provided me with plenty of women to choose from. I did not know there were cameras in the bedroom, and I apparently didn’t choose all of the right women, since a couple of them have been more than happy to perpetuate the lies Eric spread when I didn’t give in to his blackmail. And yes, I said ‘blackmail.’
“Eric knew that the only thing I hated about my reputation is how it affected my mom. I hate how the ladies at our church judge her because of my behavior, and I didn’t want to bring any more shame down on her. When my mom heard about what I was doing, she informed me that she would only feel shame if I caved to the demands of a man who had no honor. It was after I told him that I would no longer pretend to date the actress of the moment, or the model who needed a career boost, that he released the pictures and got two women to lie for him about when those pictures were taken. Right now, I’m going to invite the other two women from those pictures up to the podium so they can tell you the truth.”
The two women come up and tell their side of the story. They don’t falter once, not even when they agree to take some questions. I may be biased, but I’m pretty sure they came across as more credible than the other two women. I hope so, at least. Too soon it’s time for me to go back to the front, and answer some questions.
“Is it true that you’re close friends with a Muslim?” the first reporter asks, and here we go.
“I’m friends with people of all religions, and even a few who don’t believe in God. I consider many to be close friends.”
“How do you feel about your fans saying, and I quote ‘to fraternize with terrorists is un-American’?”
“I feel like some of my fans need to read the Qur’an. Islam isn’t a religion of terror or Jihad. Men hide behind it, and pretend they are killing for Allah, but that is simply not the case. I’d also like to remind everyone that we are a country of immigrants. Unless you are 100% Native American, your ancestors were immigrants.”
“Is that why you’re having a charity basketball game for refugees?”
“Yes. They need our help, and I want to do what I can—in conjunction with the Corrigan & Co. Foundation—to get them that help.”
“Why should we believe you and the two women you brought here?”
“Because we’re telling the truth. I can’t make anyone believe us, but the people I love and respect know I’m being honest. All I can do for the rest of you is play my best in every game, and try to be a nice guy off the court.”
“You said no more models and actresses on your arm. Does this mean you plan to find a woman to settle down with?”
“I’ve already found that woman. I just need to convince her to be mine, and then yeah, I’m settling down. For good.”
“Are you going to give us any hints about who she might be?”
“No. You’ll know when you see her.”
Audrey comes up the podium, and I move out of the way for her. “I think you’ve all gotten enough information from Dylan. Thank you for coming.”
I walk back inside the building, bending over, and taking a deep breath once we’re in the elevator. “That was good, right? Rough, but good?”
“You rocked it, Dylan,” Camari tells me. “I’m seriously impressed.”
“I just told the truth.”
“Which was obvious,” Audrey says.
“Let’s get some lunch in the cafeteria, and then we can get back to work,” Reina adds, and I readily agree. I’ve heard Nev is back, and I’m hoping to see her.
Chapter 22
Neveah
I didn’t get a chance to talk to Reina this morning, because she was getting Dylan ready for his press conference. The one we all just watched before coming upstairs for lunch. And yeah, I may have mentally been jumping up and down when he said he wants to settle down with me.
I’ve just gotten in line for a burger when I hear clapping and turn to see Dylan, Reina, Camari, and Audrey entering the room. I want to run up and hug him, but I’m not sure if we’re there yet. Actually, I’m pretty sure we’re not.
He looks over to me and his smile grows even bigger, matching the one I have on my face. Without breaking stride, he comes to stand in front of me. “Hi.”
“Hi.”
“Burger day, huh?” he asks, knowing I try to limit myself to a max of three per week, even though I could eat one every day.
“Yeah. You were great. Your statement and the questions.”
“Did you have a favorite answer of mine?”
“I liked them all, but I did have a favorite.”
He starts to ask me what it is, but there’s another commotion by the doors. This time, it’s not a welcome one. Elizabeth Mason, and several of her soldiers are coming my way. Theo is with them, but he doesn’t look happy about it. This is not going to be good.
“Neveah Ayoub?” she asks when she’s in front of me.
“Yes. That’s me.”
“You’ll need to come with us.”
“She’s not going anywhere with you,” Dylan says, moving to shield my body with his.
“Mr. Gallagher, I don’t think you’ll want to follow up the positive publicity you just got, with a trip to jail, so I suggest you step aside.”
“What the hell is going on here?” Reina asks, coming to stand with us.
“I’m sure you’re aware that a terrorist act was committed on a small Caribbean island yesterday. We were lucky enough to have a satellite facing that way, and footage shows that Miss Ayoub here is the terrorist.”
“It was not a terrorist act,” I say, knowing I should shut up, but angry that my faith is once again coming into play.
“Nev?” Dylan asks, his eyes wide.
“We should take this discussion to my office,” Reina says, looking around at the C&C employees who have just heard more than they ever should have.
“There’s no need for that. We’re taking her in.”
Reina leans in close, and I barely hear what she says. “If you think you and these men are enough to get her out of this building, go ahead and try.”
I see Mason’s nostrils flare, but she gives in because we all know she has no choice. “Lead the way. It won’t change anything.”
I start to walk, but Dylan grabs my arm. Unfortunately, it’s the one I was shot in, and I cry out. “Are you hurt?”
“I’ll be fine. You should go home, Dylan.”
“I need to make sure you’re okay, because apparently, you already took care of me.”
“I love you, but I may be going to jail. Please go home before the people in this room start connecting us, and it gets bad for you again.”
“I don’t care about that. Did you really blow up that compound? For me?”
“If I did it, it wouldn’t have been for anyone else.”
“Nev, we need to go,” Reina says, looking pissed, but caring at the same time. Only she can pull that off.
“Go home, Dylan. Please.”
“I’ll go, but this isn’t over.”
I try and put him out of my mind as I follow everyone down to Reina’s office. The soldiers stand off to the side while Jake’s mom, Reina, and I sit around her desk. Theo is to the right of me, standing so straight that I’m afraid his back might break.
“This is completely unnecessary. We have proof she was on the island, and proof that she took off from the compound by parachute as the explosives detonated,” Elizabeth Mason says.
“Do you have proof that she set those explosives? Because her being there doesn’t mean shit, and we both know it,” Reina tells her.
“So I’m to believe it’s a coincidence?”
Instead of answering her, Reina looks to me. “What were you doing there, Nev?”
“I needed to clear my head, and the guys invited me to go deep-sea fishing with them. I was exploring the beach behind that estate when it started blowing up. Luckily for me, I had been wanting to try out one of the new parachute purses Darcy developed, so I was able to quickl
y climb up high enough to use one of the blasts to fly high enough into the air.”
“And get yourself shot.”
“I know, right? I was totally unprepared for that.” It’s always good to add some truth into a story. “Thank God for Theo, who dove into the ocean to save me.”
I smile up at him, and he smiles back. I know he’s trying hard not to laugh, but he’s doing a good job of holding it in. The Chairman isn’t doing such a good job of holding her anger in, and she tries to unleash it on me.
“You really expect me to believe that this had nothing to do with the threats against Dylan Gallagher after the attack on your father?”
“Unless you can show some proof that she was doing anything other than sightseeing, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
“I have enough circumstantial evidence to bring her up on charges.”
“You’ll have to bring me up on them too, Mom,” Jake says, walking into the room with Matt, Nate, and Aiden. I didn’t see Reina let them in, but then again, maybe Matt can get in on his own.
“Stay out of this, Jake.”
“Can’t do that since I’m in it. I flew to that island on the same plane as Nev, watched over her while she slept after passing out from her bullet wound, ate the fish we caught with her, and flew back here with her.”
“So did I,” Aiden says. “Your phone should be ringing any minute now, since I just got off the phone with my dad.”
His dad? Whoa! I not only tend to forget who Jake’s mom is, but I also forgot that Aiden’s dad is the Vice President of the United States. He’s leaving office soon, but he’s still there right now.
“Those men were going to give me intel I’ve been wanting for a long time.”
“Those men were murderers, drug dealers, and probably rapists. This world is better without them,” Nate tells her.
“It appears that our meeting is over,” Reina says as she stands up, and Mrs. Mason’s phone rings.
“You are not above the law, Reina, and neither are your women.”
Neveah (Society Girls #2) Page 16