Page 82 of Riot
It’s white—ironic, I know—but I want to play on their emotions, making me look like the innocent one. It’s a mind game, but I’m not above that, not to get what I want.
Pulling it from the hanger, I slip it on. It’s cinched under my breasts and flares out around my hips, the hem longer in the back. There are also dahlias sewn across the material—Kage’s touch, to remind me who I am and who is with me the entire time.
Turning back to the mirror, I take a deep breath as I inspect myself one more time.
I give myself a smile. “It’s time.” It’s a promise to me, both the woman I see and the little girl hiding within me.
The one they hurt.
There’s a knock on the door, and it opens to show Elijah wearing a soft smile on his face. “Are you ready?”
“I’m ready.” Turning from the mirror, I take his hand and let him lead me to our destination. Kage waits for me in the wings, and he takes my hand from Elijah, running his eyes over me.
“Perfection,” he murmurs, but then he reaches out and tugs on some strands of my hair, framing my face. “And a little wild, just like my girl.”
I can’t help but smile, and Elijah appears at our side with a producer. “Okay, we’re ready when you are, Fallon. This will be going out live as requested. Everyone else is ready for their cues, and your . . . um . . . other guests are waiting outside the audience hall.”
I nod, peeking through the curtain to see the packed audience. I invited every rich and famous person in the rock world, including those who were there back then. I don’t know if they came, but it doesn’t matter.
They will see it everywhere. Cameras are trained on the sofa waiting for me on stage. The feed will go straight to TV, along with the phones ready to live stream. It can’t be silenced this time. It can’t be stopped.
This isn’t just my voice. It’s an army, one they won’t win against.
Looking back at Kage, I squeeze his hand. “Stay with me?”
“Until the end,” he promises, stealing a kiss. “My beautiful, strong girl, you’ve got this. Show them they fucked with the wrong woman. Show them exactly what you’re capable of. Make them all pay.”
Stealing some of his strength, I turn back to the stage and school my features. All traces of smiles are gone, and the ice queen is back.
Today, they will know why.
I step out onto the stage with Kage, my eyes on the person I chose to interview me. She stabbed me in the back just last year by exposing my cheating husband. She’s the exact type of person I need—cruel, vicious, and willing to ask hard questions to get the truth. She’s also trustworthy and well-known.
I was surprised when she agreed, but it seems she doesn’t hate me. She was simply doing her job, and I can work with that.
I head over to the sofa, and the crowd cheers, clapping at my appearance even if they are confused. Some probably know what’s coming and are here out of fear. I don’t spare any of them a look as I sit on the sofa closest to the interviewer’s chair. Kage sits beside me, holding my hand. There is nothing else on the stage other than us and the screens above us that will blast the evidence we have.
I wait for the crowd to die down, and then I sweep my gaze over them, but most of the lights are blinding, so I turn back to Louise.
“Fallon, it’s nice to see you again.” I can tell she actually means it. “Kage, it’s nice to meet you.” She turns to the camera. “I’m sure everyone is waiting anxiously for what this special live broadcast is about. It’s been kept secret until now, and as you can see, we have a very selective, celebrity filled audience.” The cameras pan out to the faces of people, who actually wave and smile.
Fools.
When they turn back to us, she smiles. “Honestly, I’m mostly in the dark as well. So, Fallon, why are we all here today? It isn’t for a wedding, is it?”
I laugh with the crowd, even as Kage leans in. “She wishes. When I marry her, I will let the whole world watch so they can see she’s mine forever.”
The host laughs. “Kage, your mic is on.”
“Oops.” He winks at me to let me know he did it on purpose, and I have to fight my smile.
“No, not a wedding, but something just as important,” I add, glancing at one of the cameras. “I’m here today to expose some truths. I know everyone has a lot of questions, and I have been vocal, as has Kage, about the fact that we’re unhappy with the docuseries soon to air about my father’s life. Then, at the hospital, we informed everyone that someone tried to silence us. Now, we are here to set the record straight. Today, we won’t hide anything, and I must warn viewers that this isn’t a pretty, fluffy story. You wanted the truth, so you will get it, but don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.”
Louise laughs nervously. “You make it sound like someone died, Fallon.”
“They did,” I reply without shame. “Many people actually.” Mrs. Miller’s daughter’s image floods the screens. “This is Lennie Miller. She was a young model, and she killed herself. Her mother has been fighting for justice for many years, and today, she will get it. She isn’t the only one who died in this war. My presence here today puts me in danger. Just a few days ago, a bouquet of roses and razors was sent to me with a warning. Someone tried to kill me in a car accident, and there have been many more instances. They don’t want what I have to say to get out. They want to keep it hidden.”
“And what truth is that, Fallon? What is someone willing to kill for?” she asks with a deep frown, wanting to know herself.