Page 52 of Lovers' Dance

Matt rubbed a hand over his face, thinking quickly. “Fine. Instruct our press office to give a brief statement that my personal life is not for the public domain. This has nothing to do with our companies, and I am not having Madi subjected to media scrutiny.”

“She already is. They’ve found out about her parents’ death, where she works—”

“What about Kincaid? Is there anything about her relationship with him?” Matt felt sick to the stomach. He needed to go find her.

“No, and I haven’t found out much more about him since we last spoke,” Nathan groused. “I was under the mistaken impression there would be no need to. And the age difference, I told you that would be—”

“Look, Nathan, I don’t have time for your recriminations. I need to get Madi.”

“She isn’t with you?”

“No, she’s at her studio, and I hope to God the press isn’t there. Her bloody phone is here so I can’t call her with a heads up. I’m going over there as soon as I get off the phone.”

“Wait a minute. What if the press is there?”

“I’ll deal with them,” he said coldly.

“The hell you will,” Nathan said. “I’ll prepare a brief statement myself and meet you there. Wait, meet me at the station, it’s faster if I catch the tube. I’ll deal with the media if they’re lying in wait like the jackals they are. It’s in my blood.”

“Good. I’m leaving now. Bye.”

“Meet me at the bloody station,” Nathan managed to yell before Matt hung up.

Matt stared at nothing for a second, then uttered a foul curse to vent his frustrations.How had they found out?It didn’t matter how. When Matt found out who the person was behind this intrusion into his private life, he would destroy them. He grabbed his mobile and keys, dashing out Madi’s house. The only thing on his mind was getting to her. Everything else: his family, his friends, the bloody paps, none of that mattered. He needed to get to her so he could reassure her that this would blow over. Matt would make sure of it. As he got into his car, he felt uneasy guilt. He had wanted their relationship to be made public, but not like this. He wasn’t in control of how it had been presented by the media, and it was too late to put the genie back into the bottle. Matt put his foot down and the car responded immediately. If he had green lights all the way, he could be at the station in twenty minutes. He would wait for exactly fifteen minutes and, if Nathan hadn’t arrived by then, Matt would leave without him.

When I drove into my parking spot at my building I was a bit flustered. There were a few vans parked outside the open gates and people hanging about. As soon as I drove past, there was a flurry of activity that I saw in the rear view mirror. Was that a camera? I laughed at the ridiculous thought, thinking about ways Dante and I could improve our choreography. With a smile on my lips, I reached into the back and grabbed my stuff. A bright light flashed and I spun around, then screamed in fright at the faces jostling outside my car.

What the fuck?I sat frozen, gripping my bag to my chest as the strangers started shouting questions at me. The flashes of light became brighter.

“Ms DuMont.”

“How long have you been in a relationship with Matthew Bradley?”

“What’s the nature of your relationship with Matthew Bradley?”

“Did you enjoy your time in Venice?”

“How did you meet?”

“What’s the nature of your relationship?”

“Ms DuMont, how did you deal with your parents’ deaths?”

“Do you prefer the UK over the States?”

“Have you encountered any issues being in an interracial relationship, Ms DuMont?”

“What about the age difference? Ms DuMont? Ms DuMont?”

They were shouting so loudly I could hear every single question even though the windows were up. Oh God. What the hell was going on? I started to hyperventilate, could feel the sweat starting to trickle down my back. This was not good. My throat closed up as I sat, terrified and trapped in my Beetle.

Panic attack. Shit.This was going to be bad.It had been years since I had last experienced an attack, but I knew the signs. Shaking hands, dry mouth, unable to freaking breathe. I slammed my hand over the horn as the dizziness started. I kept my hand on the horn, eyes squeezed shut. Oh God, please let Dante be there. From my lips to God’s ear. I heard Dante’s strident voice, yelling he was going to call the cops if they didn’t get off his property. My palm was stuck on the horn, the noise blaring continuously. The door was abruptly yanked open.

“Come on, Madi.” Dante grabbed my arm, helping me out of the car. I stumbled, eyes closed and gripping my bag tightly as he muscled us past the crush of people. I couldn’t breathe, the only sound coming from my lips was a raspy wheeze as I huddled against Dante. He practically carried me into our building.

“Breathe, sweet cheeks. Come on, Madi, breathe. I’m here with you.”

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