The door backstage bursts open.
“Have you guys seen this?” the brunette shrieks, stalking over with her phone.
I look up at the giant screen that’s projecting a live interview. Pride stirs in my chest when I see the woman who owns every inch of me sitting across from a blonde political commentator.
“You’ve been advocating for your best friend, Sloane, for a very long time,” the host says.
Images of a bright and blue-eyed Sloane shows up on screen. She’s in her Redwood Prep uniform and has her blond hair up in a bun. In the picture, Sloane’s got her arm slung over a much younger Grey’s shoulders.
“Yes, I have.”
“And, as I understand it, your insistence that there was something more behind your friend’s death fell on deaf ears.”
“It did.” Grey nods. “The police insisted that Sloane was romantically involved with a much older man. That he was her boyfriend and that he killed her when she tried to break up with him, but this isn’t true. The man who went to prison for her murder wasn’t involved with her at all.”
“Recently, the man in question, Slavno, died in prison of a heart attack.” A mug shot of Slavno in prison attire is thrown up next. “But you believe this was a cover-up.”
“I do. Slavno was working with me to reveal who was really taking advantage of Sloane, but before I could get his confession, he was murdered.”
On stage, Micheals is panicking.
But dad’s stare is drilling into me. I can feel his anger from a million miles away.
I’d enjoy the sweet, sweet taste of victory, but I can’t tear my eyes off my wife. Grey’s hair is pulled back into an elegant bun, but a few curls still frame her pretty face. She’s got something shimmery on her lips, probably courtesy of Vi’s makeup services. The outfit she’s wearing is a tan pantsuit that, while professional, can’t hide her glorious curves.
The interviewer dips her head. “Tell me, Grace, why have you decided to come out now and reveal the truth?”
“Because I have undeniable proof that Governor Chris Micheals has a history of physical abuse, extortion and hiring underage girls to entertain at his luxurious parties.” Grey turns and faces the camera. “And one of those underage girls was my best friend, Sloane.”
Jinx: Snow White and The Snare Queen
Who says the Queen always has to be evil? Our Snare Queen got the attention of the world by sticking up for her little Snow White. A kiss won’t be able to wake that princess from her dreams, but at least the ones who gave Snow White her poisoned apple will live inside of a nightmare.
I guess there’s only one thing left to say.
Long…
Live…
The Queen.
Until next time, keep your enemies close and your secrets even closer,
Jinx
Chapter Fifty-Six
GREY
I’m in Dutch and Cadence’s car, driving away from the interview.
My voice rings from Viola’s phone.“Sloane was the kind of girl who saw the fun in everything. She was brave, brilliant and smart. Everyone loved being around her. She just lit up the room…”
Viola pauses the video to look up at me with googly eyes. “The internet is raving about you. They can’t believe you spentyearsinvestigating Governor Micheals. You’re, like, a real life Robin Hood!”
I glance away. Viola doesn’t know that I’m nothing but a coward and a fraud.
The real culprit is still out there. Sure, Micheals was a part of the conspiracy. He’s a bastard and an abuser and his kingdom was meant to crumble.