“Greta?”
“I wanted to surprise you.” Greta held out a bouquet of flowers. “Happy release day.”
When Toni cleared her throat awkwardly, they looked at her.
“You’re making a scene.” Toni nodded at a man with a camera. “Never a good thing when the vultures are near.”
Greta handed them both a key card. “The car will be here at six. Meet in the lobby. Charlie will be on site, too.” Toni walked away. Then Greta took Kaelee’s hand and tugged her to the elevators. “Come on. We can grab room service unless you’d rather go out.”
In answer, Kaelee leaned in for a quick kiss. “Cancel the event. Cancel everything ever after. I just want to be in your arms.”
Greta’s laugh trilled out. “You are the most romantic woman I’ve met—or really anxious about the signing. Either way, I’m glad you don’t mind me showing up.”
“I was sad not to launch in DC or New York where I could see you on release day.” Kaelee jabbed the elevator button. “What if everyone hates it?”
“You got a starred review already.”
“But that other review—”
“They hate everyone.” Greta rolled her eyes. “Preorders look good; reviews overall are good. Let’s celebrate release.”
The elevator doors slid open, and they stepped in.
Before the door closed, an arm reached in and stopped it. “Sabrina.”
Kaelee felt like her stomach rose up and caught in her throat. Standing there was Tripp Alden, and behind him was a small army of people. Tripp was older, which Kaelee had known intellectually, butseeinghim in person shocked her so badly that all she said was, “You got old.”
He raised his brow. “Excuse me?”
“I knew time passed, but you were taller in my memories. Younger. More intimidating.” Kaelee stabbed the button to close the elevator doors before she stepped in front of Greta. She looked back at Greta and whispered, “Sorry.”
And then she stepped out.
She stayed beside Tripp so the only way for Greta to get out, too, was to shove one of them. Hopefully, Greta would stay upstairs. The thought of her having to face Tripp—even this older version of him—made Kaelee’s fears boil away.
Why is it easier to protect someone else than to protect ourselves?
Why did no one protect me?
Kaelee took in her father. He was a shade over six feet, wide shouldered, and his suit screamed “money” to anyone who lookedhis way. His wedding band glinted on one hand. A thick ring adorned the opposite hand, and a diamond-decorated watch glinted on his wrist. Despite what the media wanted to project, not all villains were ugly. In fact, Kaelee believed the most successful ones were probably innocuous or at the least moderately attractive. They blended into the fabric of society better that way.
“Came for the book signing?” Kaelee asked as she strolled past him. “If I’d known writing a book would make you crawl out of your tower of self-righteousness, I wouldn’t have done it, but now that I have, it’s not going away. Thousands of copies sit on shelves already today.”
“You embarrass the family name.” His hand tightened in a fist, but Tripp cared about his reputation too much to hit her in public.
“I don’t share a name with you, so no, I don’t. Although, honestly, I used to bank on your fear of embarrassment, you know?” Kaelee walked over to a chair and sat, thrilled that he followed her. She was leading.
I am not afraid. I am not a child to cower in front of him. Not now. Not ever again.
“Sit like a lady, Sabrina.” Tripp scowled at her.
So Kaelee threw a leg over the arm of the chair. “Nah.”
His lips tightened; his jaw clenched.
She waved at the four attorneys trailing behind him like a bad smell. She had no doubt that they were competent at their job, probably among the best that money could buy. “How’s things?”
“My offer was generous. The kill fee to you and to the publisher. I’ll double it right now.” Tripp held out a hand, a check already in it. “Written out to that ridiculous name you chose.”
