Cole and I explain what we’re doing on the ride over. Hope’s shocked to hear about the hostile takeover plan, but by the end, she agrees—albeit extremely reluctantly—with Cole’s plan.
“I think we should make an announcement in the business pages introducing the new trainee CEO you selected to intern with Emma and Molly. That’ll show that you’re distanced from the company. I think it probably wouldn’t hurt if we started another rumor where you’ve had a falling out with the family because they don’t approve of your behavior. I can whisper in a few ears and get that started.” She taps the side of her head, thinking. “Or we could actually use this to our advantage. We could make it seem like you’re in the running to be the next Lady Lavington. Ash would probably go along with it so he can stay in his family’s good graces. Then we’re dragging the attention off of Neighpalm, but it’s not necessarily bad attention. In fact, this could be the best thing that ever happened to us.” She reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze. “I still can’t believe you agreed to do this. Youloathepublic attention.”
Cole’s eyes widen slightly, and I sigh deeply. “But she was always in the gossip columns.” He’s shaking his head.
“Hardly. Maybe once or twice a month. And you should know better than to believe anything you read, Cole Chambers,” Hope scolds. “You know just how the press can be manipulated. We’ve been doing it for years because she hates going out and being seen as vapid and superficial.”
Cole stutters a little bit before frowning. “So why did you agree to this plan?”
“Because, Cole, I would do anything for my family. They have all been through enough recently. I can’t help feeling like it was my fault. All of that happened because my grandfather was a giant dick. If I can make it better, even at the expense of my own reputation, so be it.”
He narrows his eyes contemplatively as Hope continues to hold my hand. Riku seems to believe my story, but he’s still holding back a little bit. I’m hoping it’s just because the other two are around, but he was a lot more relaxed when we had dinner with Cole and the guys, so I’ll worry until I get a chance to ask him.
“We’re going to have to fill the family in. Otherwise, they’re going to think that you’re having a mental breakdown after the kidnapping and Jax’s shooting. They’re not going to like it one bit,” Hope warns.
“Please no. Let’s just leave it be. We’ll explain about the photo, saying I was just doing Ashton a favor, and leave it at that. Please.”
“Well, I’d like to go on the record as not liking this at all, but I will keep my mouth shut as long as it works. If it makes no difference, then I will be telling everyone about your horrible plan. You better hope it doesn’t cost you your job, Cole. You should reach out to Ashton and see if he is interested in generating some decent publicity. He can be your escort to all the other things Cole has us attending.” Hope finishes speaking just as the limo pulls alongside the big plane.
We hop out of the limo, and James is there to greet us. “Good morning, Jacinta and Hope. How are you this morning?” Even our damn pilot is looking at me with concern, so I just pat him on the hand.
“Made a stupid mistake last night, James. I’m going to blame it on the alcohol. Have you met Cole Chambers? He’s our new head of PR.” I introduce him as our security gets our luggage out of the back of the car and passes it off to the baggage handlers. Now that the stalker has been caught, we can start trusting all of the staff again.
They exchange a greeting before James claps his hands. “Okay, you are the last to board. If you make your way up the stairs, Jilly will show you to your seats, and we can get this show on the road.”
At the top of the stairs is Jilly, my favorite flight attendant and friend. “Hey, girl.” She greets Hope and me with a hug before I introduce her to Cole and security. Once greetings have been exchanged, Jilly shows the others to their seats, but I don’t have the energy to face anyone at the moment.
“Hope.” I stop her before she can follow the others. “Can you tell everyone I’m hungover and sleeping it off? I just can’t face everyone right now. Maybe a little later. Give me a couple hours to sleep, then I’ll come out and face the music. I promise.”
“Fine, but you owe me.” She sighs and heads farther down the plane while I move to the master bedroom closer to the cockpit. I just hope Harlow and one of my brothers aren’t in it, or worse, Dad, Molly, and Emma.
But when I pull the door open, it’s free, so I heave a sigh of relief. Closing the door behind me, I strip off my sweats, leaving on just my panties, and climb into the fresh sheets. The sound and the vibrations of the engines quickly send me to sleep. I probably shouldn’t be lying down for takeoff, but I’m truly shattered, and I need a few more decent hours of sleep before I have to face reality.
* * *
COLE
I’m completely distracted on the ride to the airport. The memory of Jacinta’s tits is all I can see in my mind. If Hope hadn’t been there, I would have closed the door and pounced on her. I haven’t been able to get out of my mind how responsive she was, and I’m starting to realize that maybe my preconceived notions of who Jacinta Summers is were wrong, which somehow makes her even more alluring.
I can’t believe she hates publicity. When Hope said that, I thought she was joking, but no, despite hating being seen in public, she readily agreed to go along with my plan because her family means everything to her. The picture I had of a spoiled, stuck-up, cold princess is nothing like the woman I’ve seen. She’s full of fire and determination, and I love seeing her eyes fill with ire when I walk into the room. I love that I can cause that kind of reaction.
My conversation after dinner with the other three guys really was eye opening. I can’t believe that they would be willing to not only share a woman between themselves but also welcome me to have a relationship with her too. I’m not sure how I feel about that yet. Although I’d very much like to get my hands on her again, I’m not entirely sure I could share her. I like my things to be mine. Unexpectedly, there’s a little part of me that quite enjoyed watching her with the others. They have such an easy going, tight-knit friendship that I can’t help but want to be a part of that.
I don’t have a lot of my own friends. Sure, Hayden and I have remained friendly since our divorce, but that was specifically because of Spencer. If he hadn’t happened, we probably would have drifted apart, only seeing one another if we accidentally ran into each other. I’ve been so focused on my career that not only did my marriage fail, but I’ve lost track of everyone I called a friend. As for family, they’re all back home in Wyoming on the farm. My sister is the only one who left, apart from me, and she’s still at college. Maybe I need to start working on my personal life so I don’t end up growing into a lonely old man. I never thought I’d say it, but I want what Jacinta has—the family, the support, people who love me and actuallywantme around.
The Summers family welcomes me with open arms as the flight attendant shows us to some seating for takeoff. I cannot believe this family. They are so friendly and accepting, and I had expected something completely different—much like I’d made assumptions about Jacinta too. Like Hope said they would, they’ve made the transition to my new job a piece of cake. I appreciate that they let me do my job without micromanaging me.
“Where’s Jacinta?” her twin brother Jaxon asks, looking behind us to see if she’s still coming. “What the fuck happened last night? Do you know what’s going on, Cole? Those photos looked incriminating.”
“Surely they have to be photoshopped,” Holden says, drawing my eyes to where he’s sitting, next to Oliver of course. It’s still a bit jarring to me that they’re in a relationship, but Hope gave me the background story. I guess it’s taking me a little time to wrap my head around the fact that they were a couple prior to being adopted by Brad.
“Nope.” Hope appears, but there’s no sign of Jacinta. “Jazzy is taking a nap. She is extremely hungover, and she’s promised to explain everything when she gets down here. Go easy on her. There’s a good explanation, and she doesn’t need you all jumping down her throat.”
“Of course we will. We always give the children enough rope to strangle themselves with,” Grace says wryly, and Howard and Brad chuckle.
Harlow stands up. “Should I go check on her?”
“Nope, no time. Please take your seats and strap in.” Jilly reappears from the back of the plane. She showed the security guards to another section, leaving me back here with the rest of the family. Hope takes a seat in an empty row, so I grab one next to her as the plane starts to move across the tarmac, taxing out to the end of the runway.
