Making It Personal Wells, C. (red queen free ebook TXT) 📖

“My God, Karen, what happened to you?” Blake approached her, his face contorted in distress. Karen ignored him and turned toward Will, her face suddenly a mask of panicked fear. She pointed a trembling finger at him.

“That’s him. That’s the one.” The police officers turned toward Will. The male officer pulled out his notepad and more worryingly, a pair of handcuffs. What the fuck?

“What’s going on here, officer?” Blake took charge, his voice cool and calm. “I’m Blake Davis, the CEO of Trinity Publishing.”

The officer acknowledged Blake with a polite nod. “Ms Candido here has reported that she was assaulted last night. She called the station to report this about an hour ago, and asked us to meet her here. Ms Candido claims that the assault was carried out by your PA, Will Parkinson.” His eyes alighted on Will. “That would be you, sir?”

Will stared in absolute horror, his mouth open. No words came out. Cold spread throughout his body at the thought that Karen could do something so vile. Then sanity was restored. It didn’t matter what she said, there would be no physical evidence. Whoever had bashed her face would have to have some tell-tale signs, such as bruised knuckles. It still didn’t detract from the fact that she was accusing him, in front of everyone. He stiffened as the officer approached him.

“Will Parkinson, you are under arrest for the assault of—”

“What the hell is going on in here?”

Justin Davis stood in the doorway, his face flushed. Will stifled a groan. Talk about bad timing. A swift glance at Blake sent his heart sinking. Blake had paled.

“It’s okay, Dad, I’m dealing with this.” Blake turned to the male officer. “I think there’s a mistake here, officer.” He rubbed at the back of his neck, blinking rapidly.

Will held up his hand to silence him. “Blake, it’s okay. You just get on with the party. I’ll go down to the station and we can clear this mess up there.” Will met Blake’s gaze. “I’ll be all right.” Blake’s mouth twisted into a grimace. Will turned to the male officer. “Let’s get on with it, shall we?” The officer nodded, opening his mouth to continue with his warning.

“He’s innocent. You’re making a grave mistake.”

Blake’s outburst rang out loudly in the quietened room. Will stared fixedly at him. “Leave it, Blake.” He tried to convey with his eyes that it really was okay.

Blake addressed himself to the officer. “Will didn’t do this. He couldn’t have.” Blake’s eyes flicked briefly to Will. “He was with me all last night.” Oh my God…. Will’s heart almost skipped a beat. He could hear the sharp intake of breath from several people around the room.

Justin blanched. “What are you saying, Blake?” He was staring very hard at Blake.

Blake ignored his father and reached into his pocket. “I don’t expect you to take my word for it,” he said to the officer. “There’s a photo on this flash drive that was taken last night, and I’m sure it will be time stamped. You’ll see both of us on it. I will also give you the contact details for the friend who took the photos. And finally, you can contact the night doorman of my apartment building, who’ll confirm that Will arrived with me last night, not long after the photo was taken, and that he didn’t leave until seven this morning when he left with me to come here. So there is no way that Will was anywhere near Karen last night.” Blake finally turned to face Will, his eyes shining. “He was with me.” The repeated words were uttered quietly.

Will stared at him in stunned silence, overwhelmed by the magnitude of what Blake had just done—for him. “Why, Blake?”

Blake walked toward him and took his hand. He looked into Will’s eyes, his expression calm. “Because I love you.”

The gasps which followed his words were louder this time. Will’s jaw dropped. Blake loves me. Not only that—Blake had just declared his love in front of an audience which included his father. Warmth radiated throughout his entire body, and he was conscious of his heart pounding strongly. A grin spread across his face. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from Blake’s beautiful face, where a similar grin matched his own. “You love me.”

Blake’s eyes danced with joy. “Yes.” That one word sent Will’s heart soaring even higher. Then a faint crease appeared between Blake’s eyes. He swallowed. “Do you love me?”

Will wanted to take him in his arms there and then and kiss away the doubt that was clearly etched across his face. “Oh God, yes.” He locked eyes with Blake. “I love you, too.”

Blake opened his mouth to speak, but whatever words he’d been about to utter were lost in a loud wail from Karen. She collapsed into the arms of the WPC, sobbing wholeheartedly. Despite his revulsion at what she’d attempted to do, Will crossed the room to stand in front of her, his mind still whirling at Blake’s declaration.

“Why, Karen? Why would you do this? And more importantly, who did this to you?” Karen wouldn’t meet his gaze. “Come on, Karen, tell us.” She shook her head stubbornly.

“I think, sir, that those are questions which should best be asked down at the police station,” the male officer stated in an undertone. “There’s a little pressing matter of wasting police time to be addressed, for a start.” He gave a nod to his partner, who started to guide Karen out of the office. “My apologies, Mr. Parkinson.” Will bobbed his head briefly. They escorted the weeping Karen from the building. Will hoped they got to the bottom of it. Because someone had certainly taken out their rage on Karen’s face.

“Don’t you think you owe me an explanation?”

Will saw Blake’s jaw tighten as Justin marched up to his son, his face still pale. Blake drew himself up to his full height and faced him.

“Actually, Dad, my