Page 46 of The Girlfriend Card (Vegas Sin #4)

Tell Your Story

Ottavia

T he next morning, the air was filled with a determined quiet as Dakota drove.

He held my hand, even though he had to let go every single time he shifted gears—but after each shift, no matter what, he always eagerly found my hand again.

Dakota was sweet like that, and it was those little things that told me he was for real.

During breakfast, we’d devised a plan. I was nervous about the confrontation we were about to face today— both of them—but I knew that, as long as I had Dakota standing by my side, I could do it.

Dakota parked outside the condo. We took an elevator up. Leo had been expecting me, and was all smiles when he opened the door—but when saw us both standing there, he rolled his eyes in disappointment.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” he murmured. “Really, Tavi? Are you serious?” He gestured at Dakota. “What’s he doing here? You know your dad is serious, right?”

“ I’m serious, too,” I said. “Let us in. The three of us need to have a talk.”

He threw the door open and stepped aside. “Fine. Come in.”

Dakota and I sat next to each other on the couch, and Leo sat across from us.

“So?” Leo asked.

“I’m not going along with Dad’s plan anymore,” I said.

“I can see that,” Leo said with a snicker. “You realize, Sal is serious about cutting you off from your trust fund, right?”

I nodded.

Leo turned to Dakota. “And you realize that Sal is serious about ending your NHL career, right?”

“I’m well aware, thanks,” Dakota said.

“Doesn’t seem like a wise choice to me. But hey, it’s your life,” Leo said with a dismissive scoff. “What’s this got to do with me?”

“We’re not just going to let Dad wreck our lives,” I said. “We’re going to fight back.”

Leo grinned, apparently deriving amusement from that. “Oh? You are? Tell me, how ?”

“The only way we can,” Dakota said.

“By telling the truth,” I said.

I explained that, if Dad was hell-bent on interfering in our lives, we were willing to go to the media and tell them our story. The whole story. From the arranged marriage, to the events this summer, to the threats Dad made against us both everything.

“Bold,” Leo remarked sarcastically. “So what has this got to do with me?”

“Before things get to that point, we’d like it if you went with us to speak to Dad—and stood by our side.”

“Stand by your side? Against Sal?” He laughed. “Why would I do that?”

“Because if things get bad enough, your story will come out,” Dakota said. “Don’t think for a second it won’t. We’re willing to expose everything. If Sal wants to go all scorched Earth and destroy our lives, then it’s only fair we fight back.”

“Whoa, wait. My story? Meaning what?” Leo asked, his eyes narrowing.

“How Dad has been manipulating you ever since he caught you with Victor,” I said.

“Are you insane? Why would I talk about that?”

“Either you tell it, or we do,” Dakota said. “Your choice.”

Leo leaned back in his chair. “You’re threatening to out me, Tavi?”

“I’d really rather not. I’ve always believed it wasn’t my secret to tell,” I said.

“That’s funny, because it sure sounds like you told him ,” he said, pointing a finger at Dakota.

Dakota shook his head. “Actually, no, she wouldn’t tell me. I figured it out on my own.”

Leo scoffed. “How?”

“It was pretty obvious when Ottavia told me she was still a virgin, even though she’d dated you for years.” He swept his hungry eyes up and down me. “I mean … just look at her, bro.”

Leo snickered. “Fair enough.”

“My point is,” I continued, “no, I don’t want to out you.

I truly don’t believe it’s right. And I never would’ve considered telling anyone your secret before .

But then I find out that you shared all my secrets with my dad—which he then used to control and manipulate me—so why should I protect yours? ”

Leo grimaced. “I didn’t tell the whole world your secrets.”

“Not directly, no. But you and Dad had stories about me planted in the media. Have you looked at social media lately? Have you seen what people are saying about Ottavia Capuano, the entitled, adulterous, billionaire whore?”

Leo gnashed his teeth. “It was your dad’s idea, not mine …”

“But you didn’t stop him.”

“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.

“But you do, 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 to my dad 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 on your terms,” 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, poor you, 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.

“You owe this to Ottavia, you asshole,” he snarled.

“Couldn’t you see how miserable this 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 huffed in frustration.

“The stupidest part is you’d be 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 one will 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 you so much. 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 I am about to be forced into early retirement.”

But with Leo on our side, I was feeling a lot better 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.