Page 52 of Twisted
She moves across and wraps those fragile arms around me and hugs me so sweetly, every bad feeling or thought I ever had for her evaporates in an instant.
She whispers, “I’m so sorry. Sorry for taking what was yours and for sending you to those men. I can’t imagine why you would want to help me, and I know it must have been the hardest thing you ever did.”
I cling to her and feel nothing but a strong connection with the beauty in my arms. We share so much and not all of it pleasant. Nobody else will ever understand what dark experience we share, and I feel devastated at the knowledge of what she went through.
I whisper. “No, I’m sorry, Ashton. I’m sorry for what you went through and I’m sorry I gave you cause to worry about my return. If you hadn’t come, this place wouldn’t have so many happy ever afters. I must thank you for setting me free and giving me my future.”
She pulls back and smiles sweetly and then I watch as the man I thought I loved, pulls her back to his side. I see a gentle expression in his eyes as he takes the hand of the woman he loves. Then he moves across and pulls me close into the familiar arms that I once craved around me.
He says softly, “Welcomehome, darlin’. You did good and we’ll never forget what you did for us.”
I smile with a happiness that chases the shadows away. Suddenly, I feel free. There are no bad memories and no pain. This is where I’m accepted, warts and all, and now I’m here I realize there’s no pain anymore.
Looking back, I search for Sam and as I see the gorgeous eyes of the man I love watching me with such pride, it strikes a spark in my heart of unconditional love. Moving across to him, I take his hand and turn to face my family saying loudly, “I think you’ve all met my husband.”
Then they cheer for a different reason. The congratulations flood the room and the noise erupts as theywelcomeus home, Reaper style.
* * *
One hourlater and Ryder calls for silence.
“Listen up. I think there’s some breaking news we’ll be interested in.”
Sam takes my hand and smiles mysteriously as he pulls me beside him on the couch in front of the huge TV. Ryder sits with Ashton beside us and the rest take up their positions around the huge screen.
The channel flicks to the news and my heart beats frantically as I see a picture of the President of the United States fill the screen.
The news presenter fills us in on what’s happening.
Earlier today, President Fordham announced he won’t be re-running for office. This follows the recent scandals surrounding his closest allies in the Senate, which caused such a political storm. He has cited personal reasons which only fuels the rumors surrounding reports of his shaky marriage. Never has an administration been rocked by so much scandal in such a short space of time.
There was the damaging Internet video, allegedly showing the five most powerful men in the Senate engaged in group rape. This was found to be fabricated but many question the findings. Shortly afterward, there was the arrest of Grady Vincent after it emerged he preyed on young girls and endured them to sexual molestation and rape. He is currently serving a life term in a high-security state penitentiary after his trial concerning the rape of Judge Jefferson’s daughter. His wife Judge Vincent is quoted as saying she never knew what a monster she lived with all these years and hoped he would rot in jail. She has filed for divorce and stands to walk away with most of the considerable fortune he amassed during his term of office.
Then there was the sex scandal involving Senator Preston Musgrave and his wife, the model, Selene Duprey. She discovered his love of sexual violence and leaked a damning video to the Internet. It showed him enduring horrific scenes of sexual violence which caused a public outcry. Considering he was the Senator responsible for all aspects of domestic violence and violence against women, it caused his very public fall from grace, not to mention his marriage. He was stripped of his office and vilified in the press. Selene moved back to France and his divorce is set to cost him everything.
You could hear a pin drop in the room as we listen to the fate of the five men who got away with so much for so long. Sam squeezes my shoulder reassuringly, and I note that Ashton is pale and still beside me as Ryder stares stonily at the screen. The broadcast continues.
As if that wasn’t a bad day at the office for the President, it emerged that another one of his close allies is enduring a similar fall heading their way. Scott Parker was found this morning in a compromising position by his wife, Shelby Barrington. Friends of the socialite told WN that she is inconsolable after she discovered pornographic images of young girls in compromising positions on his computer. It appears he also likes to indulge in perverted sexual acts and has been using a government office to lure his victims and subject them to hours of sexual abuse. Shelby Barrington is said to be considering her options in what many say could be the costliest divorce ever.
I shake my head and look at the grave expressions on the surrounding faces. I know the men responsible for the breaking news are sitting with me watching the results of their hard work unfold. However, nothing prepared me for what happens next.
I suddenly hear the newsreader stumble and watch as her eyes widen. Then she says,
Breaking news just coming in. It appears that Senator Todd Preston has been found dead in the woods near his home. Let’s go live with our reporter at the scene.
We watch as the image flicks to the reporter standing outside Todd’s impressive home. He looks at the camera with a grave expression.
Earlier today, Senator Todd Preston’s body was found in the wood behind his home. His gardener found him naked and hanging from a tree. Early indications are he took his own life after what appeared to be a severe misuse of drugs. His fiancé left town last month after news of his affairs became public knowledge. A neighbor is quoted as saying he was often spotted entertaining various women at the house since his fiancé left. She heard that he was drinking heavily and indulging in recreational drugs. Senator Preston was responsible for business and leaves yet another vacant position to be filled by a very troubled President. Can things get any worse for a President whose judgment must surely be called into question after his closest allies have turned out to be so corrupt?
The picture flashes back to the studio, and the presenter looks grave.
There has been no comment from the Whitehouse, but as soon as it comes we will stream it live. We understand an emergency meeting has been called following news of Senator Preston’s death and we will bring you any news as soon as we have it.
The news turns to other stories and Ryder flicks off the set and looks around him with a grim expression. I watch as he pulls his wife to his side and whispers something in her ear. She shakes her head and smiles through her tears. Then he looks at me and I flinch at the steel in his eyes. They are the cold, hard eyes of a man with no mercy. Then they soften and I see the respect and gratitude in them directed at me and I swallow hard.
He smiles a rare smile and says softly.
“Well, what do you know? It just shows you can’t trust anyone, even those who rule our land and enforce our laws. Whatever next?”