“This is really fucked up, Tavi,” he said.
I nodded. “Indeed. It is. But what you did to me is fucked up, too.”
“I didn’t have a choice,” he said.
“Unfortunately, we don’t feel like we have much of a choice either,” I said.
“Butyoudo, Leo,” Dakota added. “Stand with us when we talk to her dad. Convince him to butt the hell out of Ottavia’s life, and to trade me to a team that will actually play me.”
“What if Sal refuses?” Leo asked.
“Then we go to the media,” Dakota said.
“So I can play along with you guys, just for you to throw me under the bus when it doesn’t work?” Leo chuffed. “Cute how that works.”
“Hopefully, you’ll stand with us when we go to the media, too,” I said. “Tell your story. Own it, don’t run from it. Turn it into a strength instead of something that’s being used to manipulate you.”
Leo frowned. “And bring all this attention tomydad while he’s busily campaigning for office.”
“Like it or not,” Dakota began, “you guys are going to get some attention regardless.”
“Which is why you should tell your story onyourterms,” I added. “Because I can promise you this: I’m not going to sit by and let the media make me out into this horrible slut who cheated on you,pooryou, just because it’s politically convenient for you and Dad.”
Leo grew silent, troubled lines appearing in his brow as he contemplated the situation.
Dakota was the first to break the silence. “Youowethis to Ottavia, you asshole,” he snarled. “Couldn’t you see howmiserablethis whole arranged marriage had made her? But you sat by and let her suffer, all because you didn’t want your secret to come out. And you call yourself a friend?” Dakota huffedin frustration. “The stupidest part isyou’dbe happier if your secret was out, too. And your secret, by the way, is a really shitty secret. So you like men. Big fucking deal. Does anyone even care anymore? I promise you,no onewill care at all. Especially if you’re standing alongside us, telling people what really happened.”
My heart swelled as Dakota passionately defended me. It felt like the first time in my life anyone had ever truly stood up for me. His support meant so much to me. I took his thick arm, and Dakota wrapped it around me snugly, as if to remind me I wasn’t alone.
“Fuck.” Leo let out a heavy sigh, a look of guilt cresting his face. “Man, I’m sorry, Tavi. I always told myself it was a great deal for you, and any woman would love to be in your position.” He paused, taking a breath. “But really …? I was just telling myself that so I’d feel better about it. I was being selfish. And I’m sorry.”
“I appreciate you saying that,” I said. “But if you really want to make it up to me, you’ll come with us.”
Leo took a moment to think it over, but he didn’t need long.
“I’ll do it,” he said.
“Are you serious?!” I squealed. “You’re coming with us?!”
“Yep,” he said as he rose from the couch. “What’s the fun in being President if someone else is pulling all the strings anyway, eh?”
I jumped up, ran over to him, and gave him a hug. “Thank yousomuch. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” he grumbled. “I’m not sure how much I can really help.”
“Hey. Respect, man.” Dakota was so impressed, even he hugged Leo and clapped him on the back. “Your support means a lot to Ottavia. And that’s all that matters.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Leo said.
Dakota glanced at his watch. “We should probably get going. I don’t want to be late, even if Iamabout to be forced into early retirement.”
But with Leo on our side, I was feeling alotbetter about our final showdown with Dad.
The three of us left Leo’s condo together, and I knew in my heart we were going to prevail.
33
Mutiny
