Someone died in their scenario.No one would want to talk about that more than was absolutely necessary, or with anyone other than those they trusted completely.
What she wanted was some sign he could identify, that she wasn’t alone in the fishbowl.
“You’ve had other relationships,” she said.“Have you ever talked about them publicly?”
“People cared about who we were seeing.It’s that ‘it crowd’ thing.We didn’t want to but we had it.There was always some shark sniffing for blood in the water.But, the truth is, we’re Colliers.What Roxie said was right, coming after us would be suicide.”
And yet there she was.
“Do the Wheys want to hurt you?”
“Ricardo Whey, head of Whey Media Conglomerates, has some beef.This won’t be easy, but putting it out there on your terms is better than the opposite.Then it’s done.You won’t have to worry about anyone creeping up on you, as Mimi put it.”
“And if we do nothing?If we go on with our lives and don’t set any of these wheels in motion?What happens then?”
“Is there a chance no one will notice?Sure.We can keep going, business as usual.At some point, maybe in a slow news week, someone will write something, a news van will show up.Think about the crap you see in the news these days, some of it is not close to newsworthy, yet they report it like the Second Coming.
“And this?This is newsworthy.The fallen victim of a society scoundrel, dead before his time, and you’re out here scraping out a living.Or are you?Is that you standing next to Roxie Lomond?How did that happen?Are you friends?A mistress?The third wheel?A gold digger?When the press is faced with a vacuum, they fill it.Rarely with the truth.Rarely with reasoned or subdued speculation.The bigger and more fantastic they can make it, the more views they get.It’s all about the views, baby.About those clicks, likes, comments, the papers bought, subscriptions secured.And they all want to get there first.”
Okay, that was terrifying.Sort of funny too.“Are you talking about your people?This is your family’s stock-in-trade.”
“There ain’t nobody better equipped to tell you the truth on this.It’s been a while but I remember the dance.That said, if you want, you can leave now.Leave Boston.”He lingered.“Leave me.But when this hits the fan, and believe me, Candy, one day it will.When that day comes, I’ll expect you right back here where I can keep you safe.Whether it’s now or later, I promise to get you through this.No matter how long it takes or how hard it is, I’m with you.I will follow your lead this time.I’ll follow you.”
Control.Did she want the wheel to herself?That sounded like a guaranteed route to screwing up.
“How are things so different?”she asked unable to comprehend the speed of this gear change.“This time yesterday, we were—”
“Nothing is different.This time yesterday, the party was in full swing.You were busy.”He kissed her head.“Young, free, and single, enjoying your wild phase.”Enjoying was a stretch, but the point was valid.“You are still young, free, and single.”Amusement brought him closer again.“Nothing is different, Candy.Date who you want, kiss who you want, sleep with anyone you want.”
And that wouldn’t bother him?His family thought they were together, and maybe she’d thought for a second that… One issue at a time.
First?Sleep.
“Can I crash on the couch?”
“No,” he said.“Go up top.I’ll sleep downstairs.”
Yeah, right.“Not a chance.”Slinking a hand around to her back, she threaded her fingers between his to lead him to the stairs.“You shut yourself in down there too much already.If you start sleeping there, I’ll never see you.”
“Could solve your whole problem.”
They bypassed the occupied guest bedrooms to carry on up to his.
“Do you have an objection?”
“To you in my bed?No, ma’am,” he said, slipping his hands into his pockets as she unzipped her dress to let it fall.“‘Cept I might get used to it.”
Going to him, she caught the hem of his tee-shirt to free him from it.“I won’t let that happen.”
Because if there was one irrefutable truth she’d learned during her relationship with Spence, it was that moments shared, especially in the intimacy of the night, should never be taken for granted.No one knew when moments like these might be taken away for good.
NINETEEN
BREAKFAST WAS JOYOUS.No one mentioned Spence or the press or the freight train barreling toward her.Life could almost be described as normal.Almost.It wasn’t her “norm” to be surrounded by billionaires and superstars.
Mimi called Roxie, the latter wandered outside to the patio to have the conversation in private.Okay, that was fine… wasn’t it?
Sure, yes, paranoia tingled her senses, but there was no real reason to assume conversation was about her.Zairn and Knox did some mumbling between themselves, choosing to take their secrecy upstairs.Everyone was popular.And discreet.Dalton’s name flashed on Cam’s ringing phone, and he answered while going downstairs.
