Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
“Alright, breathe girlfriend. We’re going to have some coffee. A cup of joe always helps me first thing in the morning.”
I pin her with a look.
“I can’t have coffee, remember?”
Diana just grins. “I know, I know, but I got decaf beans so you’re good.”
I bend my head, so grateful to have a buddy to stand by me.
“Wow, thanks,” I manage in a choked voice. “I appreciate it.”
With another smile, Diana pads into the kitchen, but it takes me a bit longer to follow her. My muscles don’t want to move and my bones literally feel like they’re made of lead. I’m tempted to climb back into bed, but that’s no way to attack the day. This is all a stupid misunderstanding of some sort because I’m not dating criminals, and my relationship with Talon and Torment isn’t criminal either. It’s taboo because we’re a threesome, but even that isn’t so out there. Polyamory is a recognized lifestyle even if it’s not exactly mainstream, and I have to remember that. I am not a freak. We are not freaks. Repeating that mantra, I straighten my shoulders and force myself to leave the bedroom.
Fortunately, the coffee is almost ready and the rich aroma permeating the kitchen is wonderful. I inhale deeply, letting myself forget my troubles just for a moment as my roomie places a mug and a bowl of cereal in front of me. The corn flakes look horrific, and my stomach churns.
“I can’t eat that. I’m so sorry, Di, but it’s not going to go down.”
“I know, but you need to try,” she encourages. “Remember, you’re eating for two right now so you don’t want to miss any meals.”
I nod. She’s right. The baby is more important than anything or anyone, and I won’t put its health at risk. Picking up a spoon gingerly, I force myself to swallow a few bites of cereal and then take a small sip of coffee. It’s bitter and dark, just the way I like it.
Suddenly, the phone lets out a shrill ring, and I start. I stare at the screen. It’s a number I don’t recognize and my thumb hovers over the “decline” button. But Diana shakes her head.
“Answer it because it could be the police,” she urges. My buddy’s right and with trembling fingers, I put the phone to my ear.
“Hello?”
“Hello, is this Paisley Matthews?” a woman’s voice asks.
“Yes, this is she.”
“Hi Paisley. I’m Mara Hoffman, and I’m an attorney representing the Creighton twins. Torment and Talon asked me to reach out to you. Do you have a minute to talk?”
I jump up from the table. “Yes, of course. Is everything okay? What’s going on?” are my garbled words. Quickly, I duck into my bedroom to take the call in private.
The attorney sighs.
“Truthfully, things aren’t great. Talon and Torment have been arrested for extortion and forcible touching of a minor, among a laundry list of other crimes. But they’ve assured me of their innocence, and I’ll be orchestrating their defense.”
I’m so stunned that I can’t even speak for a moment.
“What?” I cry. “Extortion? But who are they extorting? And who’s the minor? Whom did they forcibly touch?”
Mara is silent for a moment.
“Well actually, the victim is you.”
I nearly drop my phone and my head spins. I can hear Mara repeating my name from the cell in my hand but it sounds like her voice is coming from far away. How can this be happening? How can anyone accuse the twins of extorting me? Or forcibly touching me? I’m not a minor, either. With my head spinning, I place the phone against my ear again.
“Paisley, I realize that this is a stunning development, but can we talk about it?” Mara asks. “Just sit down and take a deep breath, and we’ll go through these allegations together.”
With trembling knees, I take a seat on my mattress.
“Oh my God,” is my whispered reply. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
The attorney makes a sympathetic noise on the other side.
“Unfortunately, this is the mess we’re in. Now, can we start with your full name please?” she asks.
“Paisley Michelle Matthews,” I say in a wooden tone. “I’m twenty-two and I live in New Jersey.”
Mara nods and follows-up.
“Do you have a form of government ID with your birthdate on it? I’m not questioning you, but the authorities will want to verify your alleged age.”
My face flushes as anger surges in my veins.
“Yes! I have my birth certificate, a passport, and so many other things. Does my social security card have my birthday on it? I don’t know, but I assure you that I’m not underage. I can’t believe they think I’m a minor! Who told you that?”
I hear a keyboard clacking on the other side, and realize that Mara must be taking notes.
“An anonymous source came forward, Paisley. It claimed that you’re underage and that you were pressured into having sex with Talon and Torment. Now is that true?”