Page 84 of Boots & Scars

"What did you do?" His voice was low, almost a growl.

"She deserved to know the truth," I replied, meeting his gaze head-on.

"And you told it to her while keeping her feelings paramount, right?" Walker's eyes narrowed. "Or is this you, fucking things up again?"

Before I could respond, a knock sounded on the door. Walker's secretary stepped in, her expression cautious as she glanced between us. She was a petite woman with sharp features and dark hair pulled into a tight bun. Her eyes held a mix of curiosity and wariness as they settled on me.

"Sir," she began, hesitating slightly. "You have a call on?—"

"Take a message," Walker cut her off curtly.

"Sir," she repeated, her voice more insistent this time. "I tried. He insists. Says it's about Cooper Sinclaire."

Walker shifted his gaze back to me, suspicion clear in his eyes. With a sigh, he walked back to his desk and picked up the phone.

The secretary lingered for a moment longer, casting one last wary glance at me before closing the door behind her.

Walker picked up the phone. "Walker."

I considered leaving, my body itching to be anywhere but here. I didn't give a shit about what was going on or what people were saying. None of it mattered.

"That can't be right," Walker said, his voice suddenly sharp. "Send me the link."

He got off the phone, his face drawn tight with worry. He pulled out his cell just as it chimed.

"You might want to see this," Walker said, his tone grim.

I wanted to tell him to fuck off but decided against it. Instead, I stood there, fists clenched at my sides.

"Your agent's been trying to call you," Walker added.

"Yeah, well, my phone broke," I muttered, stepping closer to the desk so I could see the phone.

On the screen was a clip from NHL Tonight. The word BREAKING blared across the bottom in bold letters. A pretty blonde newscaster appeared, her expression serious.

"We have some disturbing news in the Ashley Sutherland — Cooper Sinclaire case."

The scene shifted abruptly to Ashley at a press conference. She looked fragile, her eyes glistening with tears that seemed ready to spill over at any moment.

"I had hoped it wouldn't come to this," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "But I knew I needed to be honest with myself. I couldn't keep protecting Cooper anymore. During our relationship, Cooper grew increasingly more abusive, both verbally and... and physically." She paused for dramatic effect before continuing, "He would slap me every time I upset him, and I'm sure you know enough about him to know that he was upset often. Those slaps would turn into… into fists… and… and I…" She burst into tears.

I clenched my teeth so hard I thought they might crack. Anger bubbled up inside me, hot and suffocating. Lies. All of it was lies.

Walker looked at me, his eyes searching mine for any sign of truth or deceit. "Is there anything you want to tell me?"

"Why bother?" I spat, my voice a raw edge. "It's not like you'll believe me."

"Try me," Walker replied, his tone demanding, almost challenging.

"It's bullshit," I snapped, anger flaring up again. "It's all bullshit. I ruined my career because some asshole insinuated she was only after me for my money. You really think I would do that if I was abusive?"

"Well, she's alleging you're a cheater too," Walker said, eyes never leaving mine.

"Yeah, well, I'm not surprised," I said bitterly. "The bitch tried to get me to settle with her before going public with these allegations."

"... saw him at Crestwood Academy a few days ago. He was hovering closer to a student. I didn't recognize her at first. But it seems he's taken an unseemly interest in Everly Hawthorne. Knowing him, I wonder if he's going to take his anger out on her, on how her father and his mother had an affair. I mean, the poor girl's been so sheltered. And Cooper has a tendency to take things without asking. In fact, I asked school staff about him and an anonymous source told me she reported a rape earlier this week?—"

"God fucking dammit," Walker growled, slamming his fist onto the desk.

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