Page 175 of Forever Never
“Actually, it’s sushi.”
“I need you to do this for me.”
“Fine. But if I get punched out by Mount Saint Helens in a suit for my troubles, you’re subletting your place to me.”
“Yeah. Fine. Whatever. Just do it. And be cool. Trynotto get punched for once in your life.”
“Whatever.”
Remi gnawed on her thumbnail and waited as she listened to the background noises of a typical fundraising event. Just like one of the dozens she’d attended with Camille.
“Camille!” she heard Raj say. Her heart started to pound. This was the closest she’d been since the hospital. The sound was muffled, and she couldn’t make out anything that was being said.
Nearly a minute went by. Long enough for Remi to feel like she was going to barf.
“Hello?”
Relief crashed over her like a tidal wave. “Camille?”
“Remi? What are you doing? This isn’t safe.”
“I know. I just. Are you okay? Do you need help getting out?”
“I’m flattered,” Camille said brightly. “I’ll be happy to make an introduction between you and the designer.”
“Is your security there?” Remi asked.
“Yes, of course,” Camille said.
“I don’t know how to reach you. I’m on Mackinac. Warren said if I didn’t stay away—”
“My husband certainly appreciates your support.”
“How do I get you out?” Remi hissed.
“I need a moment,” Camille said to someone else, and Remi could imagine her friend pulling the Ice Queen routine with her security. “Remi, you can’t do this. You can’t make any kind of contact. It’s not safe.”
“You need to get out. Come to Mackinac. We can keep you safe. We can figure out a way to nail him for the accident. I know he’s hurting you again.”
“Hurting me doesn’t earn him a lifetime behind bars,” Camille whispered.
“Then what would? There’s got to be something. Give me something to look into and get the hell out of there.”
“Warren and I appreciate your generosity,” she said a little louder. “He’s looking forward to re-election. I’ll give you back to Rajesh now.”
And with that, her friend was gone.
Twenty minutes later, Remi stood behind her niece and nephew on the boardwalk that overlooked the lake as Brick and his crew maneuvered the Marine Rescue closer to shore. The kids, still a little unsteady from Kimber’s announcement that they’d be staying with Uncle Brick and Aunt Remi for a bit while their mom and dad figured some things out, waved.
A glum-looking Mega plopped his butt on the boardwalk and leaned against Remi’s legs.
The feeling that she’d just made a very dangerous mistake clung to her like a fog.
When Brick lumbered through the front door at midnight, she was waiting for him.
“What’s wrong?” he demanded, not bothering to shed his coat. “What happened? Are the kids okay?”
Remi swallowed. “I think I fucked up.”
