Page 101 of Crimson Love

“As someone who has been tried in the court of public opinion since I was the young age of twelve, I can attest it sucks,” Harlow says but then offers a caveat. “But you’re young, and the keyboard warriors have the attention span of a gnat. They will forget and you will move on to live your life the way you were meant to.”

Jett drags a hand down his face before he looks at me. “This is fucking insane. If you want to do this, I’ll be here to keep you safe. And you know I’ll support you. I want you to be sure.”

“I don’t want to. But I want this to end. If I have to be uncomfortable for a minute, it’s the least I can do to stop my father and make sure he pays for what he’s done.” I look around the room. “A few trolls ... how bad can it be?”

“Bad,” Harlow interjects. “It can be really, really bad. You’ve been away from reality for six years. Trust me, society has hit rock bottom.”

“If anyone trolls you, I’ll have Ozzy upload a virus to every device they own and put fraud alerts on their credit cards. They’ll have so many headaches, they’ll forget all about you.” The way Bella said that I think she may be serious.

“If Chrissie can make Jett the number one primetime story on The Daily Market Report, she can get you on the nightly news,” Harlow says.

“I have no doubt,” Devon drawls.

“A police report would be the final knife turned in his gut.” I bristle at Crew’s words. I want to tell him too soon for knife analogies, but I’m too grateful for what he’s done for me. “Devon, can you take care of that on your end?”

Jett gives in. “I’ll call Dean and Payne. They might be best friends, but she’s not talking to one without the other.”

Harlow is already typing away on her cell as she gets up to leave the room. “I’ll call Chrissie and see how fast she can turn this around. She flew back to New York so she can get ready for the board meeting.”

“I’m so proud of you, love.” Bella’s smile is genuine. “Your bravery knows no bounds.”

I shake my head. “I don’t feel brave. I feel trapped, but I’ll do it.”

Jett claims my chin and turns my face to his. His dark eyes are intense again. I’m tired of the intensity.

I’ve had glimpses of the normal, playful, and happy Jett. If for no other reason than to be able to move onto a happy place, I’ll do it.

“You’ll never be trapped again. I swear by it,” he promises.

My tears threaten for the second time, but not because I’m upset this time. “I believe you.”

He nods right before he pulls his cell out and makes a call. I’m not sure if he’s calling the chief of police or my attorney. Either way, I need to prepare for what’s to come.

There’s no hiding out any longer.

I’m really doing this.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

TRAGIC

Lennon

“A s tragic as it is, we appreciate you sharing your experience with us so this won’t happen to another human. After everything you’ve been through, that can’t be easy. We will continue to push this story until your father, Reed Shaw, is in custody and the human trafficking ring that he’s been running is broken. The man who held you against your will and forced you into labor for six years is behind bars, which is the first step. I hope you’ll come back to discuss the case as it progresses. We wish you healing and peace, Lennon.”

My palms sweat where I have my hands clenched in my lap. “When I found out there were more victims, I knew I had to speak up. Thank you for allowing me to share.”

The split screen disappears, and it pans to the anchor who jumped on my story when Chrissie started making calls. In place of me on the camera, there’s a picture of my father that they found on the internet that was taken at a party last year at an elaborate estate on the Florida coast. He looks just like he did when he walked into The Greenhouse and created shock and awe among the team of people who thought they only needed to take down Andrei. Little did we all know, my father is the mastermind behind the much bigger crime ring.

“Reed Shaw has a federal warrant out for his arrest. He was last seen at the famous Manor at Winslet but holds residence in Fort Myers, Florida. He’s fifty-three, five-eleven, and medium build. His information and more on this story will be available across our social media platforms and website. Stay tuned for more on this developing story.”

The news cuts to the next story, and the producer takes over from the studio in New York. “Good job. That should do it. Unless the world blows up before then, this will continue to be the lead story throughout the rest of the day. I’ve been in this business long enough, be prepared to be bombarded with other news outlets wanting interviews. We appreciate you reaching out to us. We’ll continue following this and be in touch.”

Harlow stands behind the camera from the regional affiliate who came to record the story and mutters under her breath, “I’m going to remind them of that when we have a press release that we need to get out into the world.”

I guess that’s it. Besides wringing my fingers to death in a way that reminds me of Felicity, it wasn’t horrible. It’s not like I’ve been on social media for the last six years, so it will be easy to ignore public comments.

I take out my earpiece, untangle myself from the audio wires, and give them to the cameraman. “Thank you. You made that a not-so-painful experience.”