It was a testament to the Summer Lake community how quickly—and passionately—they’d rallied around Rosa.
Suzanne’s phone buzzed in her pocket for the millionth time, and Harry shot her a look. Though she was always on call for her employees, she decided to shut it off completely so that she wouldn’t distract anyone while Rosa was speaking.
“I’ve often heard people say that I’m famous just for being famous,” Rosa said in a steady but emotional voice. “Today, whatever people might think of my choices, I’m simply glad that so many of you want to hear what I have to say.” She looked directly at the cameras, while her mother held tightly to her hand and her brothers flanked them both. “For any woman, any man, who has been made to feel cheap or dirty or small on the Internet, whether it’s with words or in pictures—I want to let you know that we don’t have to feel ashamed. Because it isn’t our fault. It doesn’t matter what we’ve done in the past. It doesn’t matter what we’ve worn, what we’ve said, who we’ve dated, what career we’ve had. None of us deserve to be attacked, either online or off.” Rosa paused to let her words settle with the millions of people around the world who were watching the live broadcast. “Even if I can never get the pictures off the Internet, I’m not a victim. I’m taking my life back, right here, right now, and I’m going to make it better than it’s ever been before. With art, with friends, with family, and with the foundation my family and I have created to support people who have been hurt by personal cyber-attacks.”
When the cameras finally went dark, all of them gathered around Rosa in a big group hug. Suzanne had already spoken with her about the role she’d like to take as the lead technical volunteer in the Bouchards’ new foundation, and she was excited to get going with it as soon as possible.
Waiting until she’d stepped outside the city hall building to turn her phone back on, she wasn’t thrilled to see another array of phone calls from several random numbers she didn’t recognize.
She was shoving her phone back into her pocket when Harry said, “He’s still bothering you, isn’t he?”
Suzanne should have known better than to tell her brothers about one of her tech competitors. The guy seemed hell-bent on annoying her in any way he could in the hopes that she’d lose her momentum on their newest security product, which was particularly groundbreaking, if she did say so herself. Lately, she was getting dozens of random phone calls each day, but no one was ever there when she picked up.
Though she knew it was nothing more than a mind game, she didn’t want to lie to her brother and act like nothing was happening. “Don’t worry, Harry. I’ve got it under control.”
Unfortunately, he looked anything but convinced. “Have you looked into hiring a bodyguard yet?”
“No, and I’m not going to.” No was the same reaction she’d always had to such a ridiculous suggestion. “My competitor is a pain, but apart from bombarding me and my servers with automated junk emails and calls and uploads, he’s harmless.”
For a moment, she thought Harry was going to press her further on it. Thankfully, Drake and Rosa walked out arm in arm just then and asked if they wanted to head to the Tavern for a drink.
No question about it, Suzanne would much rather bask in the glow of Drake and Rosa’s love than argue with her brother about a bodyguard. Because if love could come for her youngest brother in the most unexpected way, that meant there was hope for the rest of them, didn’t it?
Although she couldn’t imagine how she would possibly meet the love of her life when she usually spent twenty-four seven with her computers. Especially if she gave in to her brother’s concerns and actually hired a bodyguard to tail her every second of every day...
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http://www.bellaandre.com/Newsletter
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Don’t miss Suzanne Sullivan’s book – SINCE I FELL FOR YOU (New York Sullivans, Book 2) – coming Fall 2016! Please sign up for Bella’s New Release Newsletter (http://www.BellaAndre.com/Newsletter) so that she can let you know as soon as the new book is released!
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The following books in Bella Andre's New York Times & USA Today bestselling series about The Sullivans are out now!
THE LOOK OF LOVE
(Chase & Chloe)
FROM THIS MOMENT ON
(Marcus & Nicola)
CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE
(Gabe & Megan)
I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU
(Sophie & Jake)
IF YOU WERE MINE
(Zach & Heather)
LET ME BE THE ONE
(Ryan & Vicki)
COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER
(Smith & Valentina)
ALWAYS ON MY MIND
(Lori & Grayson)
KISSING UNDER THE MISTLETOE
(Mary & Jack Sullivan)
ONE PERFECT NIGHT
(A novella guest starring Mia Sullivan and Rafe Sullivan)
THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT
(Rafe & Brooke, The Seattle Sullivans)
IT MUST BE YOUR LOVE
(Mia & Ford, The Seattle Sullivans)