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Rosie’s stare burns up at me. I can sense her shock and when I glimpse down at her, sure enough her eyes are wide like saucers, regarding me intently. The last two days I’ve done nothing but defend my actions to Dad, Murph and every other fucker that brought them up. However, there’s more at play right now. The police have made it clear that unless proof turns up, the charges Rosie’s pressed against Natalya won’t stand much longer.
“It’s…umm…understandable,” Connor grimaces, holding his stare on Rosie. “I didn’t know all the details and I had no idea you were sick.”
“Rosie wasn’t sick, she was drugged.”
Nodding, Connor inhales deeply. I can tell he’s got something to tell me, but he doesn’t say any more other than, “I didn’t know.”
“Now you do.”
“Brody—”
“She was spiked with a sedative,” I continue even though Rosie’s tugging at my arm for me to stop. I know she’s anxious about me losing my cool, and although I can’t pretend it won’t happen, I’m doing everything I can to hold it at bay.
“Murph said.”
“Alprazolam, the same sedative they use in Xanax.”
“Look, I know where you’re going with this, but like I told Murph, almost every fucker in this place takes the shit.” Connor takes a step back, raising his hands like he can tell his reply is twisting my guts.
“But Rosie wasn’t with every or any fucker in this place aside from Natalya. Olivier’s wife said that she uses the liquid version. Marion wouldn’t say something like that for the sake of it.”
“She would if she didn’t like Nat…” Letting out a long breath he focuses back on Rosie. Eyes narrowed as he weighs his words before he says them. “I really am sorry for what happened to you, but I…I—”
“You’re happy to walk away and pretend that it has nothing to do with you.”
“It has nothing to do with me. Natalya and I are done, and I don’t need this drama near me right now.”
“It’s not drama, Connor,” I snap. The bite in my voice causing Rosie to flinch beside me. “This isn’t something that will simply go away, at least not for us. Rosie could’ve died or there could’ve been long-term consequences. Please…Connor…”
Rosie stands, wrapping herself around me as she whispers, “It’s okay, Brody. Leave it be.”
“I can’t, Angel. I won’t.”
“Look, I know Nat takes the stuff when she’s traveling or when she gets stressed with certain jobs, but I don’t recall seeing her take any recently.” Connor says, the morose tone of his voice is enough to tell me he’s torn between doing what’s right for him and his public persona, and his conscience.
“I’m not asking you to make a public statement. Nobody has to know you gave the police that information, but without it, there’s no reason for the police to look into Natalya. They have no reason to dig into her to get the proof they need to continue with the charges.”
“But unless it’s prescribed, you’re not going to be able to prove it either. It’s not like she’s going to admit to obtaining illegal meds.”
“Maybe not, but Marion said she’ll speak to the police and if you do it too…Murph or my dad can arrange for you to give the police a statement without anyone knowing, Connor.” If I ask any more, I might as well get on my knees and beg. Something I would never do for myself or anyone other than Rosie.
“Fuck.” He takes a step closer, looking around us. “I had no idea she was so…”
“Manipulative? Unhinged? Fucking reckless?” I offer.
“Yeah,” he scoffs, looking down at Rosie. “Are you sure she’s the only person that—”
“Positive,” she replies quickly, not waiting for him to finish. “I’ve never touched sedatives in my life, and if I ever took them, I wouldn’t touch other meds that would make me that sick.”
“Natalya spiked her, Connor, and as if it wasn’t enough, she sold us out to the press. Dragged up my past and Rosie’s, and used it to paint a story that was nothing but lies.”
“When I introduced her to you in Singapore, you acted like you didn’t know her even when she said you’d met.”
“Because I didn’t remember her. We slept together once…” I pause at Rosie’s uncomfortable sigh. It kills me that she has to hear this again. That I’m causing her more pain when she’s already gone through so much. “It wasn’t even one night. Literally it was once and I left her in the hotel room. She meant nothing to me.”
“Maybe that’s why she wanted to hurt you, because you don’t care about anyone…or at least you didn’t before.” Connor inhales deeply as though he’s thinking his decision through.
I’m not sure which way he’s swaying, but I hope to God that his conscience wins out. As much as he is young and carefree, and although we’re not friends, I hope he can see there really is only one right thing to do.
