Page 91 of Danger

“You’re here,” she whispers when she sees me.

“I’m here.” I step closer to her, wanting more than anything to wrap my arms around her, but I don’t.

Two men standing behind Monterey clear their throats and step forward. Ah, the suits are ready.

“Danger Hudson, let’s get this thing started,” the taller of the two men says, leading Monterey and I to a bank of elevators. They introduce themselves, and I swear I’ve stopped listening.

We all step inside, and I try not to stare at Monterey. I know Monterey wants some sort of explanation about my past. About everything, but I don’t know what to say to her. I wasn’t ready the day the story came out about me on the Internet. And even though I’m not ready now either, I feel like she’s waiting for something.

The elevator stops on the eighteenth floor and the men lead us down a long narrow hallway. The taller one opens the door to a conference room and steps aside as we enter.

Monterey smiles and takes a seat in a leather office chair and I sit right next to her.

“Now we know with the story about Earl Wheeler being your father, we think we can use this to our advantage,” the shorter of the two men says. The fluorescent lights bounce off his bald head and it makes my mind spin.

Advantage?

“We’re thinking this is a great way to triple our profits. Maybe we can even do interviews with you and your father,” the other man says.

I hold up a hand, stopping him before he can say anything further. “Let me just say something first…” I pause waiting for him to fill in his name.

“Mark.”

“Mark, I don’t plan on doing anything with that man. Do you not realize what that does? You’re giving the man who ruined my life a voice.”

They both begin to stutter over their own words, but I can’t just stop and listen. Saying things like, edge, power, and benefit.

This is fucking insane.

“Since you keep dismissing me as if I’m not even here, I’ll say this just once. His book is nothing but a big joke. You want to make the man who killed his wife, and abused his family for years, famous? You want to make him out to be a hero?”

“Now son, calm down. That’s not what we’re trying to do at all.” The shorter man stands up. “We want your story to be told so America knows what you went through as a child. We think you’re entitled to tell your side of the story, America has the right to know it.” He pushes his glasses further up his nose. “We’re actually thinking of turning the book into a movie and you can star as the lead.”

Now I stand as well, towering over the table. “Are you kidding me? What gives you that right? I want to keep my childhood…mine. And I don’t want anyone giving that man credit for anything to do with me.I amentitled to shelter my private life,it’s my life for fuck’s sake.”

Monterey touches my arm and it stops the room from spinning. She doesn’t know it, but she’s my anchor, my lifeline. “Dylan.”

I stare down on her. “I won’t do any fucking movie. And I don’t even think a movie should be made. I think Earl Wheeler should die in prison with no fame from anyone.”

And I walk out the fucking door.

Chapter38

Monterey

I don’t really know what to say. The two men look at me, waiting for me to explain Danger’s actions to them, but I really have nothing to tell them.

I stand, running a hand down to smooth my suit jacket. “I kind of agree with him.” I race out the door, hoping I can catch up to Danger.

I spot him walking along the sidewalk just outside the building. “Danger, wait up.”

He doesn’t turn around.

“Dylan,” I call out.

He turns, his eyes piercing straight through me.

“Can we talk?”

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