Page 75 of The Restaurant on Plum Island
“So, what? You can spread more lies about me?” Carly lashed out.
“No!” Parker shook his head. “I was going to come clean on live television and tell the world what I did to you three years ago.”
“If you didn’t send the article to Alex, then what did you send?” Carly asked.
“Alex?” Parker looked at her in confusion. “I gave the information I had to Ethan, not Alex.”
“No, you didn’t,” Carly shook her head, seeing the surprise on his face. “You gave it to Alex, and you have no idea what you did when you handed whatever it was over to him.” She swallowed down her anger. “While you thought you were destroying my reputation or chances of doing Ethan’s movie, what you did was put someone I love in danger.”
“What?” Parker’s face paled and dropped as he stared at Carly. “I promise you that when I gave a Blackwell brother the thumb drive with a clip of you and me having an intimate discussion along with some promotional photos, it wasn’t intended to hurt anyone.”
“But it did, Parker,” Carly told him, her voice a whisper. “You hurt Ethan and Reef, and put my cousin in potential danger.” She gestured with her hand. “And as a father and husband who fears for his family right now, I’m sure you can appreciate the gravity of that.”
“He had Daphne, and she was pregnant with Lilly at the time,” Parker’s eyes flashed with emotion. “He wanted to end your relationship with Ethan. I swear I didn’t know it would have the repercussions it did.”
“And what about the article where I supposedly leaked information about my affair with Ethan?” Carly pressed. “Or that terrible article where I allegedly slated Ethan’s new movie?” Her eyesnarrowed. “Because we have proof those all came from an executive from Fledgling Productions.”
“It wasn’t me.” Parker’s brows creased. “It could’ve been…” His eyes widened. “No but he wouldn’t.”
“Who wouldn’t?” Carly was getting frustrated when talking about the facts or names. “Parker!” She slapped a hand on the table so hard it stung, and Parker jumped. “You owe me! So you’d better start talking, or I’m going to call my Uncle and tell him to turn around.”
Parker’s face went ashen as he looked at her. “You wouldn’t.”
“Do you want to test me?” Carly challenged. “You’ve just sat there and admitted to having had a hand in ruining my career, tanking Ethan’s movie, and stabbing me in my back proving you’re not my friend.”
“Carly!” Parker breathed, devastated. “Iamyour friend.”
“Don’t you dare say that!” Carly hissed. “You’re lucky I’m not a vindictive person; otherwise, I would have Uncle Sam zooming back here to deliver Daphne and you to her brother.” Her eyes blazed. “Now, start talking.”
“Carly, please…” Parker implored her. “I promised Daphne. Please just trust me.”
“Trust you?” Carly started to laugh. “Can you actually hear yourself?” She looked at him amazed. “I’m the one that doesn’t trust youor Daphne, and for all I know, the two of you are leading my uncle into a trap because you’re actually the blackmailers.”
“No!” Parker’s eyes widened in dismay. “I promise you, Carly, everything I’ve told you is the truth.”
Carly picked up her phone. “Actually, I think I’m going to call my uncle, as I’m worried about his safety now.”
“No!” Parker’s words sounded like they had been pulled from his soul. “Please, Carly, I implore you. I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”
Carly let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. “I want to know who Daphne’s brother is, and then you and I are going to find my brother and Ethan, who will take you to the authorities.”
Parker nodded in agreement. “That’s fair.”
“I also want you to know that after this is over, I never want to see you or Daphne again,” Carly made it clear. “I’ve had enough false people in my life, so much so that the ones who are genuine were treated badly.”
“I don’t want to lose you,” Parker’s voice wobbled with regret. “You’re my best friend.”
“You should’ve thought of that before betraying me like you did,” Carly pointed out.
His eyes darkened with sadness, and he nodded. “I understand.” His phone beeped, and he looked at it. “It’s Daphne. She and Lilly are safe.”
“I’m glad,” Carly said, meaning it. Just because she was disillusioned with Parker didn’t mean she’d want harm or for any mother to feel unsafe or afraid for her child. “Now, let’s talk about her brother.”
“Can we get some more coffee before we delve into pure evil?” Parker tried to lighten the mood.
“Are you stalling?” Carly asked suspiciously.
“No.” Parker shook his head. “I’ll come with you, and we can start talking.”
