Page 58 of Pucking Them
“Money.” Robyn’s expression becomes hard. “Investigative journalism is one of the most important things we have for our freedom. It’s our voice. It’s essential for democracy, holding every asshole accountable — no matter who they are. This article is pretending to be that but instead, is merely celebrity gossip with a dark twist. Nobody needs to know about your past. It’s simply your abuse repackaged as click-bait. The problem is that you’ve been skyrocketed into the spotlight this season. The press were bound to dig into your past.”
“Is that what happened?” Shay demands. “My parents finally want contact with us because of how well I’m doing?”
Hell, it fucking kills me how my sunny pet can be so optimistic despite everything that he can even turn this around.
Sometimes, however, his positive outlook could put him in danger.
It may be the death of him.
Possibly, by his brother’s hand if looks could kill.
Robyn and I exchange a glance.
How brutally honest will she be?
Not as honest as she needs to be, especially as this could be Wilder using his press contacts to fuck with us again.
I’ll save her from being the bad guy. I’m better at playing that role with Shay.
Careful of Shay’s shoulder and hip, I manhandle him onto my knee, straddling me.
He lets out anoomphof surprise, before he relaxes. He rests his hands against my chest. He searches out my expression.
I wrap my arm around his waist, pulling him more firmly against me. “What you think, say, or do about this is your choice. But I am having Garcia investigate both the journalist and the Webbs to check if they are truly related to you. My guess? Yoursuccess is how the Webbs heard about you, or maybe someone like Wilder deliberately searched for them. But either way, do you believe that they’re truly sorry? Also, if they are, is that enough? I’ve seen this happen before with celebrities. Suddenly parents who have abandoned them come out of the shadows wanting back in their life. Maybe they just want the fee from the tabloid. Maybe they want money from you.”
Shay’s face scrunches up like he’s going to cry, but he holds it together.
Possibly, he’s all cried out.
Yet I can tell that he’s fucking devastated.
He lays his bruised cheek against mine; the menthol scent is stronger. “I just hoped…”
Suddenly, I hear Robyn’s gasp.
I look away from Shay and realize that Eden is now standing.
He is holding up a match.
I nudge Shay. “Do you mind telling your brother that this is not a burn the world down moment? I’m hungry and want to eat the scones that he baked yesterday.”
Eden scowls.
Shay scrambles around on my knee in shock. “Dee, I know that our parents are top of the Burn List. But we’re at least eating breakfast first.”
Eden rolls his eyes, before shaking the Guide.
A printed version of the article, along with the photograph of the Webbs, falls out into his hand.
When realization dawns, I smile. “That’s a great idea. Grab the metal trash can. We’ll have a ritual burning ceremony. Cucciolo, are you okay with that?”
Shay looks more hesitant but he nods. “Dee needs this.”
“And what do you need?”
Shay hesitates longer, resting one hand on my chest. He plays with the buttons on my shirt. I force myself not to bat him away, as he comes close to twisting off the button.
Finally, Shay answers, “I need to feel safe enough to share our birthday with you. I need to trust that you’ll truly always be our family.”
