“You make it sound so easy.”
“Maybe it will be, or maybe it won’t be. It doesn’t change the fact that we won’t stop until it’s done. Just don’t fuck up with Ella again in the meantime. And do what you need to do to get back in her good graces.”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ve already got a plan underway.”
A plan I don’t intend to lose.
4
ELLA
The number of paparazzi loitering outside the Langford Holdings building is insane. The sea of them barely parts enough for the driver to pull up to the curb and park, all the while the flashes from their cameras light up the inside of the car even through the morning light. I startle as they bang on the windows, climb on the hood of the car, and swarm us from every angle until it feels like the car is buried under a pile of bodies.
“No one get out yet,” Jenkins says. “Robert is bringing additional officers. We need backup to get through this shit.”
A minute later, four more security officers arrive. As soon as Waters opens the door, the camera flashes flicker in such quick succession, it’s like standing under a strobe light. The security team makes a sort of tunnel, but we’re still pushed and jostled by the ravenous paps practically climbing over each other to get a shot. But worse than that is the barrage of questions hurled my way.
“Did you cheat on your boyfriend for a chance at a billionaire?”
“How does it feel to have an ex-lover pull a gun on you?”
“Do you think Asher will stay with you now that you’re America’s Scarlett Woman?”
And it’s not just the paparazzi here, yelling at me. There’s a whole crowd of people gathered as well. Three women stand in a huddle alongside the paparazzi, holding up photos of me with red Xs covering my face, chanting,“Whore! Whore! Whore!”
It’s pandemonium, and I’m beyond relieved when I make it through the glass doors to the building and into the massive lobby. The security officers push out several paps who try to wriggle their way through, and then they are forced to lock the doors to keep everyone out.
My hands shake as I try to calm the adrenaline racing through my body, but I can’t quite manage it with the whispers and stares that greet me as soon as I enter the lobby. Today is even worse than it was when my relationship with Asher went public. But this is not the bright attention of a new relationship; this is a scandal bringing chaotic attention to the Langfords, and everyone in this building is all too aware of it.
I keep my head low and do my best to block it out and ignore it. But it’s hard. I feel like an animal in a zoo the entire way to the office, and I know I won’t even get a reprieve once I’m working. My coworkers knew there was some bad blood in my breakup with Kyle, but only Emily knew how bad things had been. And now I not only have to face that part of the story, but I have to face the fact that Kyle threatened me with a gun to extort money from Asher as part of my job.
I’m just finally calming down when I pass by Asher’s office on my way to the conference room, but that changes when he calls out my name. I stop and turn toward him, letting out a frustrated breath as I do. Of course I couldn’t sneak by without him noticing.
“I need to see you in my office, Ella,” he says, and his voice holds no room for argument.
I internally groan. I don’t want to do this right now. The only way I’m going to survive this dating charade is if we go back to what it was supposed to be in the beginning: outward affection for the sake of cameras, a united front in the office, and everything else in our lives stays professional and separate. It’s a bit complicated living together, but I moved my things back up into the guest room, so at least there is some distance back in place. But that won’t help me here. I may be able to push back against Asher at home, but in the office, that won’t work. Reluctantly, I make my way into his office.
He practically lunges at me the second I’m through the door and wraps me in a hug.
“Are you okay? Were you hurt at all? I saw it all from my window.”
He’s asking about the paparazzi downstairs. Things like that give him major anxiety, and I know it probably stressed him out watching it from the windows and not being able to do anything about it.
“I’m fine. The security team got me through.”
I start to pull away, but Asher holds firm. He lowers his head and runs his lips along my jawline. Shivers race up my spine at his touch.
“What are you doing?” I whisper, pushing against him.
“I need to see for myself that you’re alright.”
“And now you have. I’ve got to get to work.”
He presses his lips to my temple.
“I asked for space, Asher.”
“That only counts at home. At work, we’re still a couple, remember? And this is how I would react to you nearly being stampeded by paps.”
