“What are you doing?” My voice comes out too loud as I move towards him.
“You can’t use this phone. Your number’s been leaked,” he answers calmly while placing the pieces neatly on the counter.
Leaked.
“You’re joking.” I laugh, but it’s brittle.
He shakes his head. “I’ll get you a new one.” Then he takes the second laptop from Luc and carries on where he left off.
My chest tightens, and I step back. “You’re all kind of freaking me out.”
“When I call back in five, I want it done.” Luc’s voice is so detached from the man I know.
I stare at him as he shuts his laptop with a sharp snap, tossing it onto the sofa. Then he looks at me. And whatever he sees makes his expression shift, the hardness slipping away.
I’ve never heard him like that. That voice doesn’t belong to the man who smirks at me over breakfast.
And suddenly, I’m very aware of the situation again.
The footage is everywhere.
There’s a crowd outside my salon.
My phone number’s beenleaked.
“Hey, Ve. Did Syl tell you about the video?” Luc asks gently, his voice sliding back into that smooth lilt.
I hesitate, then nod. “Is that what this is all about?”
He shuts one eye and clicks his tongue against his teeth. “Yeah... and what comes with it when something or someone gets this big. Good thing this is kinda our job.”
He flashes a blinding smile that might work in another situation, but not right now.
My heart is pounding too hard, static filling my ears.
“What comes with it?” I ask, not understanding.
I flinch when Kaiden’s voice raises a few octaves, then abruptly leaves the room without even glancing my way.
“Hey, look at me. Everything’s fine. We’ve got this under control.” Luc steps closer, but I step back. His brows furrow. “Baby, in a few hours, we’ll be done with this stage—”
“Whatstage?”
He wets his lips, gaze studying me. “Our firm provides support for some pretty famous people. Including peoplewho have recently been pushed into the limelight. People who don’t have the networks in place to keep them safe… like you.”
I shake my head. “But I’m not famous.”
“Baby, that footage is everywhere. You’re everywhere.”
I’m cold. Ice cold.
Luc takes my hand in both of his. “I know this is a lot, I know. But we’re just making sure you and your family are safe.”
“My family?” The word catches. “Are my brothers okay?”
“Yes,” Val answers, appearing at my side and pressing a mug of something warm into my free hand. “Some people found their address, but your brother is the chief of police. They didn’t stay long.”
“They?” My fingers tighten around the mug. “Who’sthey?”
