“Morgan will ensure all the media outlets have a copy of the Judge’s order. It will be accompanied with a letter from my lawyer that says that if any news breaks and the information is traced back to Justin, then they will be sued and held in contempt of the order.”
“I’m sure that there will be someone who will listen to Justin.” I said looking down and playing with my fingers.
Rylie nodded. “I wish it would stop it all, but it will give them pause to see if it’s worth the risk.”
“Thank you.” I said and pulled up onto my knees and kissed him. His hand slid down my sides and wrapped around my waist as he kissed me back.
“There is no reason to thank me, Luci.” He said softly. “You are mine. I will protect you with everything I have, because you are my everything.”
His phone rang, and he just reached over and picked it up, “Allen.” A long-relieved breath came from him. “Thank you, Morgan… Let me know.”
When he hung up, he pulled me to my feet, and said, “BMT has agreed to the gag order, and will not be running the story. They have also canceled his payment.”
I chuckled, “Why does the fact they are canceling his check make me feel better?”
“Because part of you is a vindictive woman?” He gave me a look as to dare me to contradict him.
“Yeah. Okay. Fine. Maybe a little.” I said smiling at him and wrapping my arms around his waist again and resting my head on his chest. I listened to his heartbeat a moment before whispering, “Thank you.”
“Anything for you sweetheart.” He kissed the top of my head again, and said, “Are you okay for going to lunch? Or would you rather I have something brought in.”
I studied him carefully, and he sighed, “I don’t want to push you into the limelight if you aren’t ready. I can get us out of the building without being seen, but once we get to a restaurant, there will be a media presence everywhere.”
“Do you still need to finish things up here?”
“Got it done just as you called me from downstairs.” He shook his head. “I forgot about the security protocols Janette has put into place to help prevent unwanted visitors. I should have given you a code. I’ll have to have a talk with the reception department.”
“The girl, Alexandrea?” He nodded and waited for me to continue, “Was really just doing her job, even if she was a little snooty, but I suspect there have been a number of women trying to get some alone time with you.”
He lifted a shoulder like it didn’t matter. “Calling me though, video chatting with me. That was clever.” He kissed me. “Speaking of clever, I got a call from Malk. He was highly impressed with you earlier. He said he looks forward to working with you and apologized profusely for being such an embarrassment to Henderson and Sons. He didn’t handle himself well.”
I shrugged. “He was… a bit … surprised to see the girl his best friend had been photographed with the night before, suddenly standing before him in a completely unrelated situation.” I laughed at the memory of it. “You should have seen it.”
“Maybe next time.”
“Please don’t let there be a next time. I’d like to meet Dustin, and anyone else you consider a close friend, but let’s arrange an official meet and greet. Maybe have them all over for dinner.”
“Well, you had met Malk before.”
“No. I had spoken to him on the phone before with you, not actually met him in person. I had seen a few pictures of you two together, but neither of you were exactly mud free.” I smacked his chest, but a disappointing thought crossed my mind. “How had he never seen a picture of me?”
“He has. Lots of them. I showed him pictures of us with our friends back home.”
“Had you not told him you were even involved?”
He smiled sadly, “Not directly. It’s not that I was hiding you, I just didn’t want you to become a media thing. I guess I didn’t come out and say it with Malk, but I thought I had at least led on that you were special.”
“Why not?”
“I am surprised he didn’t put it together really. I’d shown him plenty of pictures of us with our arms around each other. Pictures of just the two of us. I really don’t know how he hadn’t figured it out.” He helped me to stand and said, “I’m sorry I didn’t come straight out and tell Malk about us.”
I gave him a look that meant that he should have. “I don’t like that I was a secret, Rye, because you never have been. All our friends knew we were together. Sure, I kept my private life quiet, but all our friends knew about us.”
“Exactly. All of our friends knew. I should have trusted Malk to tell him everything about you, I just… I’m sorry sweetheart. I should have done better.”
I studied him for a long moment and said, “I’ll forgive you only because the look on his face this morning was so hilarious.”
“I’m serious.” He lifted my hand and fingered my engagement ring. “I would do it differently. This whole weekend was supposed to be way more spectacular for you.”
