“We’ll worry about that later,” Knox said.“Right now, tomorrow’s the plan.”
“Honey?”Zairn asked.
Roxie nodded.“Right.Me and Ariella will meet with Honey.”
“While Cam and I meet with Beverley.Tripp’ll stir up sources.”
“Tripp doesn’t share confidential information,” Roxie said, fixed on her.“But he’ll get us reliable sources who’ll come forward on their own with corroboration.”
“If needed.”
“Right…” Roxie batted her eyelashes at Zairn.“And my loving husband doesn’t shy from doing what needs to be done.If the need should arise.He is less precious than Tripp.”
“I’m not precious.”
Roxie sailed on by that assertion.“We’ve called a bunch of people in.Hatfield will be doing interviews in the club all day, that’ll keep him busy.”
Zairn tucked his phone away.“I can go over there and—”
“No,” Roxie said.“Stay away from my crew.We’re saving that intervention for the crucial moment.Tomorrow, your job’s distracting the paps from all the activity.Why did you come to Boston?That’s a question they’ll be asking themselves.”
“You set me up on a date with my ex-girlfriend again,” Zairn said and breathed out, “didn’t you?”
Roxie was all optimism.“At least this time you know in advance.”
“You’re lucky I love you, LoLo.”
Gliding to her feet, Roxie coasted across the room to sink into her husband’s lap.“Yes, Casanova, I am lucky that I love you.”
Their kiss was slow, though not discreet.Their bond of trust seemed unshakeable.Was that true or just for show?
Show.
There would be one of those when this cart hit the track.Was this a good idea… or the biggest mistake of her life?Did this ride have an emergency stop button?
EIGHTEEN
ARIELLA PUT THE last clean glass in the kitchen cabinet and closed the door.Cleaning up was something she could do, something more constructive than throwing up barriers and languishing in dread.
“I can hear you thinking from upstairs,” Cam said, descending to join her.“People will come square up the place tomorrow.You don’t have to do chores.”
“I don’t want too many people here.No extra people.”Knox’s claim of listening ears still plagued her thoughts.“I thought you’d gone to bed.”
“And you were planning to sneak out?”
With the weight of everything pressing her down, she flattened both hands on the island.“I’m too tired toplananything.”
“Good.”He passed behind her, landing a kiss on the back of her head as he went.“Will it make you feel better to suck on something?”Over her shoulder, she pinned a suspicious glare on him.“What?”His laugh was kidding no one.He opened a drawer to produce a lollipop.“You always smile with a lollipop.”
Turning, she leaned on the island.“What do I do, Unicorn?Bestow your magic on me.You’re so certain, lay it out for me straight.I’ll do whatever you say.”He opened his mouth, but she groaned.“No.”She squeezed her eyes closed.“No, don’t.”
“I can’t tell you what to do.It’s your life, you live it.”
Would he tell her what to do if they were actually together?
“It would be easier to let you lead,” she admitted.“But I can’t.”
“I don’t want to lead.”
