Page 70 of Beauty & Chaos

Despite Travis’s offer to protect and financially support me, it was the mental toll I now had to consider, along with how it would affect my business and the team. I know Milly and Scott were both invested, but they were also wary.

Detective Ward could help me understand the next steps for the victims and what to expect in regard to this story getting bigger.

“Yes I do, but I don’t know whatyouknow,” I replied. “Sure, I reported a few cases as it went through the courts but never from this angle. Never as the person driving the story from my own business.The Timeshas a lot more influence and punch than Brooklyn McKenna.”

He took another sip, studying me.

“You need to be careful, Brook. Taylor is a powerful man, as are the rest of the Hollywood royalty, so to speak. You’re upsetting them.”

My brows had shot up. “Have you heard something?”

“There are still people at the station who remember you. Their lips are flapping. You know how it is; podcasters don’t exactly have a good reputation.”

Yeah. I was well aware.

“I’m an investigative journalist. With a podcast.” I argued.

“A good one. I know that. I’m just saying, Taylor has a reputation much like Pacino. Men of that era...they play by different rules.”

Jesus.

And I’d put myself in the firing line. But this is exactly why I had to keep going. It was these intimidation techniques that had women slinking into the shadows. It felt like my reputation was already on the line, and I had to follow through.

For me and these victims.

Including Terrance Taylor.

If I could find him and get him to speak up.

I’d forgotten to ask if the statute of limitations was relevant in this situation, but probably.

If not, Travis may know where he is.

This weekend is a chance to prod and get more information. Relying on the authorities to investigate someone like Leo Taylor was putting a lot of faith in a system I wasn’t sure I could. They got it wrong too often, and cases were bogged down in red tape.

If Leo Taylor had abused his son for years, along with all these women and men, then he didn’t deserve to walk free and certainly didn’t deserve a star on the Walk of Fame.

If people hated me for being the one to expose their beloved actor, then let them. I hadn’t committed the crime.

He had.

I was just telling the story.

Sigh.

I open eyes, not really wanting to move out of the warm cocoon of his arms, and blink, taking in our view—

Holy shit!

I gasp.

The Matterhorn is nothing short of spectacular and one of the most stunning things I’ve ever seen in my life. It’s draped in the morning sunshine, making me speechless.

Travis stirs, his arms stretching under me as he yawns loudly. Then he tackles me and I’m underneath him before I can finish my breath.

“Fuck, you’re beautiful in the mornings.” He groans into my neck.

I slap his pec, momentarily taking in how delicious his muscular chest is, and shove him. “Look outside. Forget me. Look—it’s magnificent.”