Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Celeste swallowed. She was a terrible liar, but how was she going to get out of this interview? If she told Hawking the truth, he would tell her not to worry about him. That wasn’t acceptable. If anything happened to him, it would be all her fault.
Hawking reached out to turn off the water before pulling a few paper towels from the dispenser and drying her hands from behind. Finally, he spun her around. “Don’t lie to me, CB. What happened?”
She set her forehead against his chest and held on to his waist. Lie. Tell him nothing happened. Tell him you’ve changed your mind and don’t want to do the interview. Tell him it’s too stressful, and you don’t care who takes credit for your work.
“Celeste…” There was a warning in his voice. A moment later, he spoke again. “Do you need me to spank you right here in the public restroom before the interview? I will if that’s what you need. I’ll lock the door, lean you against the wall, pull those pants and panties down to your knees, and spank your bottom. Would you like that?”
She shuddered. Under other circumstances, she might find that scene intriguing. She’d learned two things about spankings. They did indeed help her shed whatever was stressing her out, and they made her horny at the same time.
The problem was Celeste only liked to be spanked because she asked for it—either directly with those precise words or indirectly by intentionally misbehaving. Her infractions in the future would include things like sneaking gummy bears into her pocket or playing in her playroom when she was supposed to be napping.
She’d never be able to lie about something this big.
Tears welled up. She didn’t want to cry. Sadie had used waterproof mascara on her, but Celeste didn’t want to take any chances of it running down her face.
Lifting her head, she told the truth. “She threatened your life if I go through with the interview.”
Hawking drew in a deep breath. “I should’ve told that bitch to use another restroom. I’m sorry, Little girl. That must’ve been scary. Thank you for telling me.”
“I’ll just tell them I don’t feel well or something,” Celeste rushed to add.
Hawking shook his head. “You’ll do no such thing.”
“But, Daddy, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if anything happened to you. It would be all my fault.” Her voice was shrill.
“Nothing is going to happen to me, Cuddle Bug. If that woman thinks her idle threats will stop you from exposing Dr. Hughes’s crimes to the universe, she’s sadly mistaken.”
“But—”
Hawking shook his head, cutting her off. “But nothing. We’re going to head to the studio so you can get the lay of the land, and I’ll deal with the woman. I saw her perfectly well. I’ll have security pull her up on the camera. This building is filled with cameras.”
“That’s not going to keep you from getting killed. I’m sure someone paid her to threaten me. She probably doesn’t even know anything else. It will be just like the woman who brought me towels at Danger Bluff.”
He grabbed her biceps. “Look at me, Celeste.” His voice was serious.
She lifted her gaze.
“You’re doing the interview, CB. You’re doing it not just for yourself but for everyone Hughes has defamed in the past and will steal from in the future. You’re doing it because you deserve credit for your discovery. You’re doing it because it’s the right thing to do. Do not worry about me, Little girl. I’ll deal with the woman.”
She nodded. “Okay, Daddy.”
“That’s my girl.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Feeling a dreadful foreboding, Celeste tried to remember to breathe as Charlene led them to the studio where the interview would take place.
The room was crowded with cameramen and technicians, but what made Celeste hesitate was the group of men standing on what was obviously the interview stage. They were dressed in suits and ties. None of them looked like the picture she’d seen of Ben Harbin—the reporter who’d asked her to come this morning.
They all turned to look at her and smiled.
“Dr. Celeste Blanke,” an older gentleman said as he stepped forward and held out a hand. “An honor to meet you. I’m Edgar Telafette.”
Celeste gasped as she shook his hand. “What are you…?” She didn’t even know what to ask.
He grinned. “I gathered everyone I could find. We’re here to support you.” He took a step back and turned toward the others.
Celeste stood dumbfounded while the other five men introduced themselves. Every scientist she’d contacted in the last few days was here. Tears came to her eyes once more.
“We’re going to join you, Dr. Blanke,” Dr. Telafette informed her. “No one should face this interview on their own.”
She was so incredibly grateful she nearly collapsed.
“Ah, I see you’ve all met.” The new voice came from behind, and Celeste spun to see the reporter from the pictures approaching them.