Page 34 of Salvaged Hearts

“I’ll find a different way to swallow the press. I’m not doing this,” he muttered, finally releasing my hair, although his absence was immediately resented. At least when he was touching me, I didn’t feel alone in this pool of panic. “You’re free and clear; just do me a favor and don’t go digging. This is all on me, Ms. Rhodes.” Without another word, he vanished from the space, and I sat on his cool tile floor, staring unseeingly at the white plaster across from me. He hadn’t been angry that Leighton was in the loop—hadn’t lashed out that I didn’t contain my sister/roommate. He’d just…dealt with the aftermath. Like he’d no doubt deal with the fallout of the impending allegations. But he?—

He was standing on the threshold, observing me. Gingerly, he offered me a glass of water and a washcloth, and I accepted them both, studying the man I swore for two years that I hated.

Free and clear. I was free to bow out of this. Clear from the press. At least for now.

But he wouldn’t be.

Which would implicate Ollie.

Which would threaten Mattie and Beau.

The press had to havesomething, or they wouldn’t have approached me so brazenly, which meant that every tool was needed for this fight. And for our red herring to work, our newshad to break before theirs did. Otherwise, they would dismiss it as a cover-up, and conspiracy theories would spread.

Could I do this?

“Come on, I’ll take you home,” he offered, extending a steady hand.

“I suppose, if this is to work, this just became my home.”

“Alessandra, I mean it. Forget the plan. I’ll deal with it a different way.”

“The press is about to have a field day with your company one way or another. Let’s give them something to talk about.”

8

You Did Vow to Disembowel Him

ALICE

Wedding Bells for Billionaire CEO?

Love in the Limelight: Greyson Hart’s Assistant Sporting Mystery Ring

PDA-filled Stroll Fuels Engagement Rumors: Is America’s Most Eligible Bachelor Off The Market?

From Boss To Bride: Everything You Need To Know About Alessandra Rhodes

Max

Looking good, beautiful. You gonna fill me in?

Rhyett

If you don’t answer soon, I’m booking tickets. Pick up the phone, Alice.

Elora

So help me, god, if you don’t answer someone, I’m going to have a stroke, sissy.

Hadlee

So. Uh. Congrats? Care to bring us up to speed?

Maverick

This certainly gives a new meaning to slaying the dragon.

We leaked the first photo twenty-four hours after Leighton barged into Greyson’s basement with me on her heels, and my phone had been buzzing ever since.

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