Page 259 of Enthrall Shadows
“You need your harness,” Shay snapped.
“I’m going to free climb.”
“No, you’re fucking not. If anything happens to you, your brother will dismantle my body and serve me up as chum at Charlie’s.”
“I need to clear my head.”
“There are other ways to do it without risking your life.”
Peering up at the rock face, I knew I had this.
Shay stepped closer. “Talk to me.”
“It’s been a shit weekend.”
“I can see that.”
“You get it, Shay. Griffin’s hurting and that’s hard to see.”
“And?”
“Last night, I should have done more.”
“Call her.”
“I’m guessing Reese talked with her?”
Shay set his kit down. “I wonder if Reese misinterpreted what she’d heard in the car on the way to the event and then relayed that to Lotte.”
“Which would explain why Lotte left.”
“Reese overheard us strategizing with your PR team about how to deal with the leak about you both.”
“I went against my PR team’s advice. Maybe Reese had told her what she believed the plan to be. The same plan I threw out.”
Probably the very reason Lotte didn’t stay for my speech.
I clinched my jaw in frustration. I should have protected her.
I peered up at the sheer rock face again. What appeared impossible was made easier by taking one rung at a time.
“Reese’s gone?” asked Shay.
“Dealt with.”
“Swift and sure.”
“Her ruthless side is something to behold.”
“She’s studied nature, Henry. Reese learned a thing or two. She’s dedicated her life to what she believes is important.”
“She’s doing good work,” I said, shaking my head. “But she hurt Lotte.”
“Lotte would do anything for you. Her pulling back is her way of protecting you.”
“I’ll visit her this afternoon.”
Tell her she’s the only woman I want.
