I Was Done Begging novel · Chapter 12 of 24

Chapter 12: Her Name

Lucas held up his phone, and the little red light on it was still glowing.

"Every word," he said. "Both of them, and the wire. This goes to the police tonight."

"Keep them down here," I said. "Don't let them go. I'm not finished upstairs."

"Finished with what?"

"The stage."

He looked at me for a long moment.

Then he gave the older man to two of his guards, wiped his hands on a handkerchief and held out his arm.

"I'll walk you up."

"No," I said. "My father will."

On the top step of the service stairs, Simone was waiting where she'd said she'd be.

She had her hands folded in front of her, and she was smiling sweetly at the door.

The smile fell off her face when I came through it on my own two feet.

"Celia," she said. "You're all right."

"I am."

"I was so worried. I went to find you and the stairwell was..."

"You walked me to that door, Simone."

"I only showed you the quiet stairs."

"I know exactly what you showed me."

Her mouth opened and nothing came out.

"Go back to the ballroom," I said. "Find a seat near the front. You'll want to see this."

I walked past her.

Her breath came in short and loud behind me, and she did not follow.

My parents were waiting in the corridor outside the ballroom doors.

My mother had my hands in hers before I was within a yard of them.

"Are you hurt?"

"No, Mama."

"We heard shouting."

"They didn't touch me. It's done."

My father took my face in both his hands and held it for a second.

His eyes were red.

"I have never wanted to do violence to a man before tonight," he said very quietly.

"Not yet, Papa. First I want to walk in."

He nodded.

He offered his arm, and I took it, and Lucas stepped to the other side of the door and put his hand on the handle.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Open it."

Inside, the ballroom was bright and loud.

Julien stood at the microphone on the stage with a glass in his hand, and his mother sat in the first row with the notary at her side.

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