Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
A sound rose from Nikki’s throat and Winter knew she was choked up.
Winter’s phone rang from the counter next to her, breaking the awkward tension. The police found her cell on the ground outside the café and returned it when they came to question her last night. At least she knew it still worked.
“Just let it go to voice mail,” she said.
The phone rang until it clicked off. Then Winter, her siblings, and their father talked about benign things like the weather, Derek’s latest business deal and he asked about Nikki’s work with K-Talent Productions.
Despite wanting her visitors to stay, Winter yawned and winced at the motion.
“We should let you get some sleep,” Nikki said, pushing herself up from the sofa where she’d sat down earlier.
Winter wanted to argue but couldn’t. She needed rest.
“I’ll come to visit tomorrow when you’re home and settled,” Nikki promised.
“I’m going to hold you to that,” Winter said to her sister. “Before you go, can you check my cell and tell me who left a message? I can’t see well. I’m still dizzy.”
Her sister stepped over to the dresser by the bed and picked up the phone. She glanced at the screen and gasped, the color draining from her face.
“Nikki?” Derek moved beside her as she dropped the cell like it was poison.
“Who is it?” he asked, and Winter did her best to remain still while waiting for an answer.
The senator kneeled and picked up the device from the floor. Glancing down at the lit-up screen, his eyes opened wide. “It’s a phone number you wouldn’t know,” he said to Winter. “But we do.”
“It’s Mom’s number,” Nikki said, her voice numb.
“Shit,” Derek muttered.
Aware she wasn’t firing on all cylinders and things were fuzzy, Winter couldn’t figure out what was going on. “I don’t understand.”
“Play it,” Derek ordered.
Winter had never seen him strung so tight. Not even when his ex-girlfriend had attempted to destroy Jessica’s life and business. Winter didn’t know why Collette would call her or how the woman had gotten her number, but the senator’s wife was connected with many important people and no doubt she had her ways.
The senator swiped the phone screen. “I need to hold it up to your face for recognition,” he explained.
Winter held herself still. “Go ahead.”
He handled it quickly, and soon Collette’s voice filled the room.
“You’re a whore like your mother. You cost me my family and my husband the presidency. You should have had an abortion like your mother should have done. I won’t miss hitting you next time.”
Her father stared at the phone, his face twisted in shock and horror. Winter realized she’d thought of him as her father for the first time but couldn’t focus on that now.
Blood drained from her head as the hateful words came back to her, repeating themselves on a loop in her mind. Her already aching head began to throb with a steady beat as she fought the lump in her throat and the tears that wanted to pour out. Nobody had ever talked to her with so much venom before.
“She used her own phone,” Derek said, his tone rising in obvious shock.
“And she didn’t even bother to try and disguise her voice,” the senator spoke next as he placed her phone back on the counter. “Collette has completely lost her mind.” He shook his head. “What am I talking about? She went after you in her car. Of course, she lost her mind.”
Or she was just pure evil. At this point, Winter wasn’t sure the distinction mattered, at least not to her.
Shaking, Nikki lowered herself to the chair, silently crying.
Every one of them sat in their own shocked world. Suddenly, Harrison rushed in, Asher behind him. Zach took up the rear.
“What happened?” Harrison strode to Winter’s beside. “Did you do something to upset her?” he demanded of her father.
“Harrison, no. We… I mean, I just got a phone call. A voice mail, actually.”
“Who called? What’s going on?”
Winter glanced to where Asher had kneeled down by Nikki’s side. They talked quietly while Derek stood with his jaw clenched.
Winter sighed, trying to form the words to explain.
“How about I just play the voice mail?” the senator asked.
Winter began to shake. “No. I don’t want to hear it again.”
Harrison put a hand on her arm. “Someone needs to explain. Now.” He gritted his teeth, his care and concern for her obvious.
Asher rose to his feet and pulled Nikki to a standing position and curled an arm around her shoulders. Winter was so glad her sister had such a good man in her life. She’d need Asher more than ever now.
“They already know,” Asher said.
“Know what?” Harrison bit out, his frustration clear.
Her father cleared his throat. “That my soon-to-be ex-wife tried to kill my daughter.”
Harrison ran a hand over his face and looked around the room. “How do you all know it was Collette? Who was on the voice mail?” he asked.