Page 45 of Collin: Episodes 7-9
She glanced at him, surprise in her eyebrows, but he was already moving, pushing into the crowd of reporters. Two cameramen had to step back. Just on the other side, Ellisandre waited behind the wheel of the idling car. Collin reached for the back door and heard the lock disengage as his hand touched it.
Ellisandre was gold.
He pulled open the door and then moved to block Linda from the cameras as she took her seat and settled into the car.
She looked up as he was about to shut the door. “You’re good, Collin.”
He gave her a sharp, professional nod, the same as if he had still been working at the hotel, and stepped back, shutting the door and waving clear to Ellisandre. Like he had a thousand times before. Strange to have this particular skill set being utilized again so soon.
He turned, pushing his way back through the crowd to his master and his sir. They were ignoring the cameras. As soon as Collin approached them, Mr. Reevesworth turned toward home. Mr. Moreau fell into step right beside him, shoulder to shoulder. Collin took a position behind them.
The crowd moved with them. One reporter after another stuck microphones in Mr. Reevesworth’s face. A few tried Mr. Moreau. Mr. Reevesworth’s expression was professional, distant, and blank. He merely put up his hand and shook his head to attempt after attempt. The questions were all the same.
“Do you know Dana Reevesworth?”
“Are you concerned with this challenge?”
“How do you feel about today’s events?”
“What’s your plan?”
Those were the nice questions. A few were less pleasant.
A short rotund man threw himself between Collin and Mr. Reevesworth and shoved a microphone in front of Collin. Collin turned to move around him. A woman with a camera physically boxed him in. Collin breathed through his nose and sidestepped the other way.
“What do you say to the reports that you’re Richard’s fuckboy?” the rotund man squealed. Seriously, his voice was pitched like a cartoon. Maybe that was his gimmick. It wasn’t Collin’s cup of tea. He turned again, determined to step around the man. Someone else crowded him from the other side.
“Yes, what are you, exactly, to Richard Reevesworth?”
Don’t say anything. Collin locked his teeth together. They were pushing him back. He looked over their heads toward Mr. Reevesworth and Mr. Moreau, still steadily pushing down the sidewalk.
“How old are you?”
“How did you meet?”
Have you been a sugar baby before, or is this your first time?”
Collin stood still and closed his eyes. One yell and Mr. Reevesworth and Mr. Moreau would turn and move every one of these people away. They were strong enough and determined enough. He mattered that much to them. But he could just see the headlines.
Maybe Ellisandre had the right idea. Being proper and normal wasn’t exactly protection.
He reached into his pocket and palmed his phone. “You all have exactly point five seconds to move, or I call the police.”
“We’re reporters…”
“Then make an appointment.” Collin smiled, showing teeth. “Now move before I report being unlawfully detained against my will in the course of performing my work.”
He stepped forward. Someone else pushed against him. Collin didn’t stop walking, body checking them with his shoulder.
“You just assaulted me!”
Collin didn’t look back. He lengthened his stride. Cameras flashed from all sides.
Ahead, Mr. Reevesworth looked back at the commotion. He motioned Collin forward. Collin caught up with him.
“Walk in front, and get the door when we arrive,” he murmured.
“Yes, sir.” Collin inclined his head.
