Silence.
Good.
“Who leaked the hotel?” I ask. “Because there were cameras waiting before I even turned onto the street.”
He launches straight into excuses:
“The press always guesses!”
“Public records?”
“Fan forums?”
“It happens.”
I lethim talk for maybe a minute, then I snap.
“No. Don’t play dumb. This isn’t some kid outside with an iPhone. That was organized. Somebody told someone. I don’t give a fuck if they were on our side or not. Find them and get the fuck rid of them. Get me?”
He tries to reassure me.
“It could be a PR spin.”
“We’ll manage.”
“Good exposure.”
The same rubbishthey always say when they’re not the ones being followed everywhere they breathe.
“I don’t want exposure,” I say. “I want privacy. That’s your job. If I see reporters outside again, we’re gonna have a real problem.”
He sighs. “I’ll look into it.”
“Yeah,” I say. “Do that.”
I hang up without waiting for a goodbye.
The lift hums quietly.
Frankie’s watching me now, head tilted.
Then she bites her lip and shakes her head.
“I almost wish that didn’t turn me on.”
She’s still got that loosened edge from the club. I wish I knew what changed in the last twenty-four hours to make her warm up to me so much.
“Yeah?” I tilt my head in return. “What are you gonna do about it?”
When the lift dings, she steps out first.
The hallway’s empty.Thank God.
I unlock my suite door and push it open.
“After you.”
She walks in like she’s not sure she’s allowed to be here.
