Masquerade Part 9 by Valerie Francis

Author:Valerie Francis [Francis, Valerie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780995340336
Publisher: Fifth Hammer Books, Inc.

Chapter 4

On the subway ride home, Colin checked his text and phone messages but there was nothing from Grace. He couldn’t get that damned video out of his head. The way they portrayed her — like some two-bit hooker pimping herself out to a faceless john — it made him sick. Nothing could have been further from the truth.

All he'd wanted to do was apologize for his behavior. That's why he'd asked her to meet him there. If he hadn't been such a jerk in the first place . . . if he hadn't suggested they meet . . . if he'd been stronger and had resisted . . .

This situation was his fault and somehow, he had to make it right. He tried her number again and mercifully, she answered.

"How are you?" he asked.

"Humiliated."

"I'm so sorry. I should have never asked you to meet me."

She gave a heavy, staccato sigh. The kind that accompanies sobbing. "A bit late for that now." The pain in her voice was agonizing. It took his breath away.

"I'll make it right," he said. He wanted so desperately to hold her in his arms.

"There's nothing you can do." She sniffed, maybe to cover up another tear. "There's nothing anyone can do."

"I'll call the journalist and —"

"No!" Her vehemence stopped him short.

"What?"

"Promise me you won't do that."

"But, if I just explain . . ."

"I'm begging you, please don't."

Colin was at a loss. "Why?" There was a long pause and he wondered if perhaps she'd hung up.

"When we were in Aspen," she said at last, "you mentioned that you have a son."

"Yes. Ryan."

"Does he know it's you in the video?"

He thought for a moment then remembered that Maureen had thrown his shirt in the garbage. Ryan hadn't seen the incriminating ink stain. "No," he said. "I don't think so."

"Then let's keep it that way."

"I don't understand."

"The video has ruined my life. If you come forward, it'll ruin yours too and I couldn't bear that. I want you to have a wonderful relationship with your son. You deserve it."

"But I can't let you go through this alone."

"You can, and you will." A trace of strength re-entered her voice.

He ran a hand through his hair. "None of this makes any sense."

"Eve warned us not to break the rules. We didn't listen, so we lose. I lose."

God, this was tearing his heart out. "Let me call the journalist and explain," he pleaded.

"No." She was emphatic this time.

There was no way he could simply abandon her. It was insanity.

"Promise me," she said. "Allow me the peace of mind in knowing that your relationship with your son is protected."

How could she ask this of him? Then again, how could he not give her the one thing she wanted? There had to be some other way . . .

"Promise you won't go to the media."

He let his head fall against the window pane. "Ok," he whispered. "I promise."

"Thank you," she said. "Goodbye, Marlowe." And with that, the line went dead.

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