Sighing heavily, I pressed my hand to my forehead. When I’d called nine-one-one after the initial attack, the police had been dispatched. Thankfully, I’d called JC as well. He’d managed to use his influence and power to ensure that only pack member cops arrived, but a full report still had to be made. It was a foregone conclusion thatsomeoneat the paper would have noticed my name on a police report that came across the wire.
“Sorry, Brent,” I said. “It’s been a crazy few days. I should have let you know.”
“Noshit,” he barked, though his tone was not unkind. “Are you all right, kiddo?”
“I’m good,” I said. “Safe and sound.”
“Listen, it sounds like a bit of an ordeal. Not sure if you heard, but Rick made bail not long after he was taken in. Apparently, the cop IDed him as the shooter. Not sure how that guy’s gonna stay out of prison. I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”
“It’s fine. We broke up, anyway,” I said.
Nate smirked at me.
“I can’t keep track of who’s with who,” Brent said. “You young kids, it’s like watching a soap opera. Anyway, since you’re all right, I wanted to ask if you’d thought about writing up what happened to you? Since you were directly involved, it would be more of an editorial. Your emotions, your feelings, what it was like, that sort of thing. Would you be down for that? This is a huge story about one of the most powerful families in Toronto.”
His words struck a note in my head. An idea formed, one that sent a wave of excitement through me. If Ididdo this, then it would be my way of fighting back. I could use Rick the way he’d used me. My story could have major repercussions for him and his father. It could shine a goddamn spotlight on them, and it wouldn’t be flattering. They might get nervous enough to make a mistake or an ill-timed move.
Plus, an editorial? That washuge. It would help get my name noticed. If I wrote the piece well enough, it could really further my career. Two birds with one stone.
“You know what, Brent?” I said. “I think that’s a great idea.”
He belted out a laugh. “Wow. I’ll be honest, kid. The newspaperman in me told me I had to ask, but I assumed the answer would be no.”
“Well, you thought wrong, big guy.” My face twisted into an embarrassed grimace at the nonchalant way I’d addressed him. What was wrong with me?
If Brent took offense, he didn’t tell me. Instead, he laughed even harder. “Cam, you do what you need to do. Try and have thepiece to me in three days or less, if you can. You know how fast the news cycle is. If we don’t jump on this quick, we’ll lose the momentum.”
“Got it. I’ll start as soon as I can.”
“Take care of yourself, kid. We miss you around here. Maybe once all this weird shit is over, we can see that smartass face of yours back here.”
I grinned. “Sounds good. I’ll talk to you later.”
When I hung up, a savage glee I could barely contain spread through me. As bad as my life had been these last weeks, it looked like things would be improving.
“You look happy,” Nate commented.
“My boss wants me to write up a story about what happened with Rick.”
Nate swung his head over, glancing at me with a frown before returning his attention to the road. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. I can’t be totally honest, of course, but I can get the point across. It might help put more of a spotlight on the Masters family.Andit’ll really help my career. Brent wants it to be a featured editorial. That’scrazy, Nate.”
I turned the radio on. The car came equipped with satellite radio, and I put on the poppiest, happiest music I could.
“Let’s get a treat,” I said, my excitement almost bubbling over.
Nate scowled. “A treat?”
“Yeah.” I pointed out the window at a coffee shop ahead. “Use the drive-thru. My treat.”
“You mean JC’s treat?” Nate smirked, taking the credit card out of his pocket.
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. I’m going to get the biggest damn coffee they have. Lots of caramel, sugar, and cream—the whole nine yards.”
“Sounds good to me. We’ve got over four hours of driving ahead. I’ll need some caffeine.”
“You know,” I said, “I almost always get herbal tea or something like that when I come to these places with Lesley or Mom. Some little voice at the back of my head always tells me it was healthier and better for me, but screw that. After everything that happened with Rick, I’ve sort of opened my eyes a bit. I’m done with choosing what’s safest or easiest. I’m going to take what I want from now on.”
