Page 82 of Embraced in Ink

“You can’t hit me. I’m hurting.”

“You took your pain pills. You’re feeling fine. And I will hit you. Out of love.”

“You’re making me miss my big brothers.”

“Hey, that was just cruel.”

“I could be crueler and ask you why you’re here rather than back in London,” Bristol said, broaching the subject that both of them had done their best to ignore.

Zia shook her head.

“There’s nothing to talk about there. I’m no longer with my ex, and now I’m moving back to America. I’m going to be fine. Living in Boulder. Maybe, one day, I’ll settle down with a nice person, and the world will have to deal with the fact that I’m amazing.”

“We always have to deal with the fact that you’re amazing.”

Zia grinned.

“That’s wonderful, thank you. Now, we’re done talking about me. What’s up with you?”

“Nothing’s up with me. The tour’s been postponed mostly because I think they’re trying to give me space, that and make sure they cut ties with Colin completely.”

“He’s going to jail for a very long time.”

“Unless he uses that insanity plea.”

“He’s not going to get away with it. He knew exactly what the fuck he was doing. The jackoff.”

“Yeah, there’s enough evidence to put him away for a long time. And, probably here, rather than back in England.”

“I don’t know about the justice system or how any of that works, but as long as he’s away from you, and away from any adoring fans that miss him and his beautiful art and music, that’s all that matters.”

“I cannot believe how many people are trashing me because of it.”

“I can. Rabid fans who want to see their darlings. They’re going to blame anyone they can for their favorite’s mistakes.”

“Still, though, the response from the people who are on my side is nice. I’m glad that we stopped them from sending flowers and things to my house.”

“Yes, having them send donations to a local women’s shelter was the best idea, even if they only wanted to help you out in some cases.”

“I know the media isn’t going to die down anytime soon. But I’m glad that I’m in a gated community, and my neighbors are kind.”

It was a single gate, and she lived in the middle of it, not in some fancy neighborhood, but it had kept the media out for the time being. She didn’t know how long it would last, but hopefully, the news would die down, and no one would want to talk with Bristol Montgomery about the attack anymore.

Colin’s name was splashed all over the papers—photos of them from ten years ago until recently, laughing and holding one another or even playing together. Evidence of their past was all over the internet.

Everyone wanted to know about the tragic fairy tale that was this damn relationship.

No one really got it through their thick skulls that it wasn’t about romance; it was about obsession and need. And it had nothing to do with her.

Thankfully, no one had really looked too deeply beneath the surface yet, and Marcus’s name hadn’t been put in the papers.

But she knew that would come, and they would have to deal with it when it did.

She looked down at her phone, willing it to ring. But it wouldn’t.

He had texted her every day to make sure she was okay, checking in on her, but still giving her space.

She hated it.