Page 40 of Beauty & Chaos

I close my eyes.

“Well, let me put this to you, Dad. If I were hurt by a man and he got away with it, would you want everyone to stay silent?”

He doesn’t reply, then I hear his sigh. “No.”

I’m not thrilled either. If these people are lying, I could be harming an innocent man. Or my silence could hurt innocents already harmed...and many others.

“Podcasts fill the space that corporate-funded mainstream media can’t and won’t. It’s how the media space works these days.” I remind him. “We talk about topics that need attention. It’s not always comfortable. It’s not always something everyone agrees with.”

As I’ve said in one of my shows, humans have been talking for thousands of years, sharing knowledge, telling stories. It’s ironic that now we have the most powerful communication tools in history—social media—we’re trying to suppress speech.

Ironic...and makes me want to ask more questions.

CHAPTER TEN

TRAVIS

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“This is weird meeting on a Monday.” I sit at the table and let the server place the white napkin on my lap.

The guys and I meet every Wednesday for breakfast at Killian’s restaurant, Dune. It’s become even more important since Parker and Maddox got loved up. They are both engaged, and Parker and Aurora are expecting.

Not only is it not Wednesday, but it’s also lunchtime. It’s thrown my schedule, and I’m a man of habit. But I will never let these guys down.

Ever.

Our catch-ups keep us all connected and answerable to one another. Without going all Dr. Phil here, there is a darkness in all of us because of our pasts, and we see one another. We know when someone needs extra support, and we do it in that guy's way.

Mostly unspoken.

“Zayne and I had a clash in our calendars.” Maddox orders without looking at the menu. “I’m sure the Alliance Club isn’t pumping at lunchtime.”

“A wild assumption.” I smirk.

“Really?” he asks curiously.

I know he misses it. Being at the club with all that erotic energy and freedom.

“Bring Kyra out again and find out.” I hand the server my menu and shoot Maddox a wink. “I’ll have the salmon.”

“Fuck off. I’m marrying her. I’m not taking her to the club and having other men gawk at her,” he grinds out.

“She can handle it.”

“I’m not worried about her. I would prefer not to spend a night behind bars.”

“It might turn you on to watch her with someone. I’m just saying.”

Maddox drops his menu and glares at me, while Killian holds up his hand.

“No fighting.”

Is that so?

“Oh fine, so it’s okay at my club, but not here.” I lift my water and sip, giving him a look.

“Exactly,” Killian replies.