Uncovering You 8: Redemption Read Free Page A

leave.”
    “So if you think that, why are you here?” I challenge, matching her intensity, her passion. “Why did you come?”
    “I came,” Fey says, grabbing Robin’s arm. “ We came because we care , Lilly. We care about what happens to you. We care because we heard that message you left me—yes, I let Robin listen, I don’t keep secrets from him—and were worried when you became unreachable. Or have things changed? Do the things you said on the recording no longer apply?”
    The air goes out of me like a popped balloon. “Of course they apply,” I say softly. Guilt tears at my heart. I sag into an armchair.
    All I want is to be left alone. I need time to think, to reflect on what’s going on around me. To disappear into some empty vacuum where time stands still, and to re-emerge only when I’m ready to face the world again.
    I know I do not have that luxury.
    “Then listen to what we’re saying,” Fey begs me. “Listen, and try to see things from our perspective.”
    “I am listening,” I tell her. “I’ve heard every single word. But it’s just…You don’t know what it’s like, Fey. You haven’t seen, or experienced Jeremy from the inside.”
    “Then let us,” Robin challenges.
    I blink. “What?”
    “Let us see what Jeremy is like.” Robin glances at Fey, then keeps going. “You say we have a flawed understanding of who he is. Show us otherwise. Introduce him to us. Maybe then, when we see things the way you do, we’ll stop worrying.”
    I bite my inner lip. Introduce Jeremy to Robin and Fey? Well, he’s already met Fey, so that won’t be much of a problem. But with her new perspective on things, she’ll be even more scrutinizing than her mother was at our morning brunch. And Robin will have his suspicions, too.
    Then again, didn’t Jeremy say he would like to meet Robin, when he heard he was hired by The Economist ? Maybe those were just empty words spoken in the presence of company.
    If I agree, how will Jeremy react when he finds out? I need to clear some things—a lot of things—with him before I’m ready for another meeting with the four of us.
    “That…might be tricky to arrange,” I say, slowly. “You know about the IPO coming up. There are a lot of demands on his time—”
    “If he really is as caring as you seem to think he is,” Fey cuts in, “he’ll find time. For you.” She looks at her husband-to-be. “I think he’s right. This is a good idea. Let us meet Jeremy together.” She turns to me. “It’s the only way I’ll believe you’re safe.”
    “Fine,” I sigh. “Fine. Okay. We can do that.”
    “Great,” Fey says. She grabs my arm. “Let’s go.”
    “What, now ?” I say, incredulous.
    “Yes, now ,” Fey says. “I’m not letting you out of my sight, Lilly Ryder, until you’ve convinced me that your life is not in any danger.”
    “Fey, we can’t go now,” I tell her. “He’s not here.”
    “Where is he?”
    “Boston.”
    “Hmm.” She stops short. “Well, when is he coming back?”
    “Tomorrow night,” I tell her. “Or maybe Monday. It depends.”
    “Why don’t we all go there?” Robin suggests. “Lilly, the flight will give us more time to talk. Fey, you know you have to be back at school by Monday. You and I have class,” Robin reminds her.
    “Class can wait,” she says with absolute conviction. “When my friend’s well-being is on the line, everything else takes a back seat.”
    “Fey—” I begin.
    “No!” she turns on me. “Don’t try to tell me otherwise, Lilly. You’ve had your chance to convince me. You failed. There’s only one way you’ll get me to leave you alone. And that’s if we meet Jeremy Stonehart. Tonight.”

Chapter Two
     
    A few hours later, I’m sandwiched between Robin and Fey on a commercial flight to Boston.
    I haven’t had a moment’s privacy to speak with Jeremy over the phone since he called. And there’s no way in hell I’m talking to him within hearing distance of my two