Page 14 of Uprising

I take a deep breath trying to hold in those emotions as the wave of grief hits me because I can’t fall apart here, too many people are watching. Too many people are around me.

It’s safest when I’m alone. When I can fall apart in the dark and no one sees. No one knows.

“Rose?”

I turn at the voice behind me. I don’t recognise it.

It’s a woman, a journalist judging by the way she’s dressed, with a no nonsense blouse and dark blue chinos. Even her mousy brown hair is cut short, like she doesn’t want the time or hassle of dealing with anything too fussy.

“I’m Katie Matthews, from the Verona Tribute.”

“What do you want?” I ask.

She gives me a polite smile. “Just a conversation.”

I gulp. You don’t simply have a conversation with the press and I highly doubt this little tete-a-tete isn’t being monitored. Darius wouldn’t run the risk of it, of me being able to converse freely.

“If you want a statement on something…” I begin.

“I don’t care what the Governor has to say, it’s your opinion I’m interested in.”

I narrow my eyes. She doesn’t look like the type of reporter who cares what I think, the fashion editors, the gossip columns.

She steps nearer glancing at the guards who are stood, far enough that they can’t hear but within eye shot of me.

“I saw something the other day.” She says quietly. “Witnessed something between you and the Governor, if you will.”

I frown. What does that mean? Darius and I are always damned good at putting on the right show in public.

She moves to stand in a way that her back is to the guards, blocking their view of this. And then she pulls her phone out flicking across the screen and plays what feels like my entire destruction.

I freeze.

It’s me and Darius. Inthatroom. With Roman’s coffin.

I look at her.

How the fuck did she get this?

I look back at the video, I think it’s more horrific seeing it than the memory of what he did and thank god the audio is down so I don’t have to hear myself, I don’t have to hear the pitiful noises I know I was making as he was forcing himself on me.

“He assaulted you.” She states, like I wasn’t there.

I shut my eyes. My heart is thumping so loudly.

She knows. This journalist knows.

“Rose, I saw enough to know what’s going on, I heard enough too.”

“You know nothing.” I snarl.

“Why are you doing this? Why are you even with a man like him? He’s twice your age.”

I look up glaring at her. I don’t need her pity and I certainly don’t need her contempt. But I have to shut this down now, before it grows legs and Lara is put in danger. I grab her arm, pull her through to the balcony on the other side. I know the guards won’t follow me there. They prefer to lurk inside. Besides they know there’s no escape, no way to get down from the height of it to the ground so there’d be little need for them to step in.

“You have no idea what you’re talking about…” I begin once we’re further out of earshot.

“Is he blackmailing you?” She asks pocketing the phone. “Has he got something on you to force you into this relationship?”