Page 142 of Late Harvest

“I have a lot of contacts.” Benny picked up the explanation. “I put a tail on Melody. Turns out, your publicist is deep in medical debt. For her sister, who is recently disabled from a bad car wreck she caused.”

“I didn’t—” Bash scrubbed a hand through his hair. “I didn’t even know Melody had a sister. Christ.”

“About ten years younger. Out of work actor. She fell asleep at the wheel after a late shift at a bar. Hit one car, seriously injuring the passenger. Then ricocheted off, wrapped her car around a tree, and ended up in the hospital. No insurance.”

“Melody sold the story to pay for her sister’s care,” Slash supplied. “I’m sorry,” he added quietly.

Bash closed his eyes. “I don’t know whether to be pissed off or sad or what the hell to feel right now.”

“It’s a fucked up betrayal,” Slash agreed. “We have a signed confession. And her letter of resignation.”

“How the hell did she think she’d get away with this? Not a lot of people knew what was going on. There’s no way she could’ve hidden being the leak for long.” Bash dropped his head back, stunned and trying to process.

“Melody admitted she wasn’t thinking straight. She was worried about her sister—who’s still in the ICU—then freaked out by the growing mountain of bills. She acted before she even thought. Desperation is the culprit behind many bad decisions.” Benny’s voice was cool and collected as usual, but Bash was pretty sure he heard a tinge of sympathy in it. And maybe even remorse.

Arabella frowned, catching Bash’s eye. For all his wife was tough stuff, she also had a bleeding heart that could rival his. She tilted her head, nodding as he successfully read her thought bubble.

Bash released a deep sigh. “Tell Melody…tell her I accept her resignation. But she’s a strong publicist. I’ll be a reference for another job.”

“Wait, Bash—” Slash inserted.

“No. You’re right, Slash. It was a betrayal. Melody hurt me and put my role at risk. She was disloyal and—worst of all—she hurt my queen. But I can forgive her, if Arabella does.”

Tears shone in his wife’s eyes. “I do. She was just trying to help her sister.”

“Then why didn’t she come to either of us for help? We could’ve lent her the money, for fuck’s sake,” Slash snarled, but the heat seemed to evaporate from his words.

“Sometimes people do desperate things, Guinn. She made a terrible mistake in judgment. She’s going to own it.” Benny’s voice was calm and sure on the other end.

Once again, as often, he wished Benny would be his agent. He loved Slash like a brother, but maybe it was time to evolve their relationship. Only if it didn’t hurt Slash professionally. Or personally.

Fucking complicated.

Bash sighed again. “One more thing… I’ll cover the rest of her sister’s bills.”

“How did I know he was going to say that?” Slash muttered, not unkindly.

“You’re a class act, Bash. I’ll let her know.” Now he could absolutely hear a smile in Benny’s voice, before she crisply continued, “Melody’s doing an interview with a reporter I handpicked. She’ll tell the truth, underscoring how much you and Remy love each other and how real your relationship is.” Benny paused. “How does that sound?”

“Life a fucking relief.” Bash ran his fingers through the tangled strands of Arabella’s silky hair, which had become one of his favorite soothing methods.

“Uh, there’s one more thing, Bash.” Now Slash sounded weary.

“Please, no more bad news,” Bash muttered so only Arabella could hear.

She pressed a kiss to his chest. Right next to the scratch marks from her nails. And just below the area she’d bitten him…leaving faint teeth marks.

“Melody’s isn’t the only resignation letter in your inbox, Bash,” Slash continued quietly.

Now Bash leapt off the bed, hauling Arabella up with him. He hadn’t not touched her since her arrival the day before. And he wasn’t letting go now. He was tempted to affix her to him, like an adult baby-carrier strapped to his chest. But, you know…perhaps that would be taking it too far…

Bash blinked himself back into focus. “What do you mean?” He was confused, tired, exhausted from the emotional merry-go-round.

Slash sighed audibly and cleared his throat. “I’m through with being an agent, Bash. It’s been a damn good ride—a fun ride. But while you were off finding true love, I was having my own midlife crisis-driven epiphany. I—I don’t even recognize myself anymore. I hate practicing law. I loathe Hollywood. I’m sick of the ass-kissing, candy-coated evil. I want to find myself again. I want something…real in my life. Like you’ve found with Remy. Something I know I won’t find here in LA, doing what I do.”

“Fuck, brother.” Bash shook his head to clear it. He was still recovering from the whiplash of worrying about losing his role and then having his queen advocate successfully for him. Then the knowledge that his trusted publicist had betrayed him and Arabella. And now his oldest friend and agent was doing a one-eighty in his life. Christ—when this movie was finished filming, he was taking his wife on the longest trip she’d allow. “What are your plans?”

“Moving north. I’m going to teach political science and history at a small community college outside of Placerville.”