‘Shit.’ I shoot a glance at Chloe. To a passer-by, she looks relaxed but the pressure her pursed lips are applying around her straw hints that she heard everything.
‘They’re saying we knew, Jay. That we fled the country that night because we knew Dad had run Sasha’s parents off the road.’ Despite the brave face he puts on for Sasha and the rest of the world, I know he feels responsible, the same way I do.
‘You know how the media works, Ryan. They’re going to take this story and spin it fifty different shades of fucked up. That’s just what they do. Sasha knows the truth. You know the truth. I know the truth. That’s all that matters.’
Ryan sighs again. ‘I’ll ring Declan and see what damage limitation we can do. I assume he’s still running his lucrative business helping the celeb’s of LA?’
‘Of course. He found Lula, didn’t he? Look, why don’t you leave it to me? You take care of Sasha. I’ll call him now.’ It’s something I should have done weeks ago, because I suspect whoever is targeting us is actually targeting me.
This has to be connected to what’s happened with my acts, Mia and Naomi. I don’t believe in coincidences.
My biggest fear now is that it’s only a matter of time before a story breaks about me and Chloe. Or me and Lula. Right now, I’m not sure which would be worse.
I’m asking for trouble appearing in public with Chloe. It would only take for a photographer with a long lens hidden in the bushes and our secret would be destroyed. Chloe’s career will be a laughing stock. All that I’ve promised Lula will blow up in smoke. Everyone I care about let down or disappointed, as usual.
This fling with Chloe has me uncharacteristically distracted. I’ve taken my eye off the game, something I never do.
Declan answers on the second ring. ‘Jayden, I was expecting your call.’ His thick, familiar Irish accent is as reassuring as the morning sun. He’ll find who’s responsible. I trust him. Have done since he had my back in the playground. His methods aren’t always strictly legit, but he always gets the job done.
He’ll find who’s responsible and I’ll make sure they pay.
‘It’s a shitshow, Dec. Ryan’s going off his head. You know as well as I do there’s no such thing as bad publicity, but apart from the horrific timing, someone broke their NDA, and that’s something I refuse to ignore.’
‘I’m already on it. I’m doing a background check on every single one of Huxley Castle’s staff. But other than an ancient Driving Under the Influence, I’ve got nothing yet.’
I survey the white sandy beach, taking in the turquoise waves gently cresting at the shoreline. The heat of the Dubai summer sun scalds my skin, but I can’t shake the icy shiver shuddering down my spine. Chloe stares silently into space, listening to every word. What is she thinking? None of us will escape the repercussions of this story where the media’s concerned.
‘I think you’re starting in the wrong place, Dec.’ I scratch the rough stubble of my jawline. Who else would be close enough to our families with the motive to try to take me down?
‘How so?
‘Two of the girls I signed have been targeted over the last few weeks. One with drugs and the other with a sex tape. I don’t think Ryan’s the target here. I think I am.’
Declan lets out a low whistle. ‘Send me everything you have on your artists. Who was near them? Who had access to them? No matter how irrelevant, I need it.’
‘I’ll get Kim on it.’
‘Let me check her out first,’ Declan says grimly.
‘Seriously?’ Kim’s been with me for years. I’ve come to rely on her friendship and loyalty almost as much as Declan’s.
‘If she checks out, make use of her. I’ll get back to you.’
‘I don’t need to tell you how urgent this is, Dec,’ I remind him.
‘I know. Trust me. I’m all over it.’
‘Another thing, I need you to see if there’s another way…’
‘For….?’
‘Lula’s visa.’
‘Oh.’ He clears his throat. ‘I’ll look into it.’ He hangs up without saying goodbye.
Chloe’s huge oceanic eyes pensively meet mine behind her giant oversized sunglasses. Her plump inviting lips flatten into a subdued line, but it does nothing to diminish her beauty. Is it any wonder I’m struggling to uphold the promises I made to Lula?
Beneath Chloe’s hard but stunning exterior is a heart so full and so fragile I want to hang onto her forever. Fix her. Love her back to life. Because whatever she’s been doing out here the last few years post Ethan, definitely isn’t that.
