Guarded King (Empty Kingdom #3)

Chapter 52

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

ROMAN

“ C are to explain?” Tate shoves the tabloid in front of my face.

I snatch it out of his hand, taking a second to register what I’m seeing.

The headline, splashed across the front page, screams: Like Father, Like Son? King Group CEO’s Secret Relationship Raises Eyebrows.

Below is a blurry photo of Chloe and me just after we’ve climbed out of my car, probably on our way to a meeting. My hand is on her back—a habit I’ve tried and failed to break—and it’s been snapped in a way that makes the situation look far more intimate than it was.

She looks as beautiful as always, her pale hair pulled back in a ponytail, her fitted black dress perfectly professional. But it doesn’t matter. The media will spin this however they want. To them, she’s young, attractive, and my assistant. And I’m her boss, hovering too close, too protectively, with my hands on her.

I shove the magazine back at my youngest brother. “There’s nothing to explain.”

Tate drops into the chair opposite me, one brow arching high. “You’re right. You don’t need to explain, because it’s pretty damn obvious. You’re banging your assistant.”

He laughs, but when I just glare at him, he sobers and holds up his hands.

“Hey, I’m the last person who’d judge you. It’s just funny considering how adamant you were that you wouldn’t hire her.” He cocks his head, eyes narrowing. “Or is that why? Did you have a thing for her even then?”

I grind my teeth. “You really think this is funny? We’re under even more scrutiny since Dad’s death. With any luck, the EcoTech acquisition will be finalized in a matter of weeks. The last thing they want is bad publicity.” I pinch the bridge of my nose and force myself to breathe in, then out. “Then there’s Haverscombe. He’s moved up the timing of his bid to get in front of us. In fact, I wouldn’t put it past him to have orchestrated this whole situation. Regardless, the media throwing out comparisons between Dad and me is the last thing we need right now. Not to mention the hit to Chloe’s reputation.”

“Do you think she cares more about her reputation than she does about you?”

Anger ignites, hot and painful in my chest. How can he not get it? “ I care about it.”

He eyes me carefully. “So it’s not just a fling?”

“It’s not a fling.” We agreed to keep this from everyone, including my brothers, but I won’t cheapen what Chloe and I have.

Tate throws up his hands and scoffs. “Then there’s no problem. Just ignore the damn media and go public. We’ll deal with the fallout.”

“When the fallout could be losing EcoTech, share prices falling, Chloe’s reputation?”

He straightens in his seat, his tone turning serious. “If Ellis is concerned about working with a man who’s fallen in love”—hearing him say the words hits me harder than I expect—“ whoever it is he’s fallen in love with, then I’m not sure we even want to work with him. And even if our share prices fall temporarily, I have no doubt they’ll climb back up again. As for Chloe’s reputation, yes, that’s an issue. It shouldn’t be, but it is. But if you’re serious about her, then soon enough everyone will know she’s not a gold digger…” His eyes flash to mine with what looks like sympathy.

“Like Katherine,” I growl.

He nods slowly. “Like Katherine. But man, why didn’t you talk to us? You don’t think Cole and I will back you? Especially when it comes to finding a woman you care about?”

Guilt knots in my stomach. “Maybe I don’t deserve to be backed.”

Tate leans forward, concern creasing his forehead. “Why the hell would you say that?”

“Where was I when you were growing up? Where was I when Cole wanted to be with Delilah? Oh, that’s right, I was screwing him over. Did I back you when I told you to fake date Violet, or was I backing the company?”

All the mistakes I’ve made twist inside me until my chest feels too tight. I clench my jaw, resisting the urge to rub my sternum.

He huffs out a breath. “First of all, fake dating Violet was the best damn thing that ever happened to me, so don’t include that in your list of failures. And yeah, maybe the Cole and Delilah thing wasn’t your finest moment, but when you realized how serious he was about her, you helped fix it rather than turning your back on him. As for where you were when we were kids, you were in survival mode—all of us were. All three of us struggled. But now we’re here, together. So stop beating yourself up. You deserve to be happy, just like the rest of us.” He throws his hands in the air. “Hell, even Mom is smiling more these days. If you’ve found someone who can do that for you, then for god’s sake, make it work.”

I will myself to absorb his words. But my focus keeps snagging on that damn tabloid photo of Chloe and me. It’s not even remotely scandalous, the way we’re interacting there, but the headline looms large in my mind. No matter what my baby brother says, all I can envision is everything I’ve been working toward crumbling around me.

And Chloe. I promised her I’d keep her safe, but instead, I’ve led the wolves straight to her door. She doesn’t deserve that.

My mind works overtime, sorting through solutions. There has to be a way to fix this—to keep the acquisition on track and protect Chloe at the same time.

Tate is watching me, brows drawn together. “You’re overthinking this. Just talk to her.”

I nod at him. “Thanks for the advice.”

His frown deepens. “Are you going to take it?”

“I’m going to work it out.” I nod sharply, pressing my intercom. “Chloe, can you get Sean Prescott from Wright Construction on the phone?”

Tate leans forward, eyes narrowing. “What the hell are you calling him for?”

Before I can answer, Chloe transfers the call. “Hi, Sean. I have a favor to ask. I need you to take on one of my staff members, just temporarily. She’s familiar with our project, so she can act as a liaison.”

With Chloe working outside King Plaza, the media scrutiny will shift away from her—from us —long enough to let things settle down. At least, that’s what I’m counting on.

My brother curses under his breath and shakes his head, but I ignore him.

Sean agrees within minutes, and I hang up.

“How is moving Chloe out of King Plaza going to fix things?” Tate asks, a rarely observed scowl on his face.

“It’s temporary,” I snap. “Once the EcoTech acquisition is done and the tabloids stop running their mouths, we can go public in a managed way. One that won’t get either of us labeled as something we’re not.”

He scrubs his hand over his face before shoving back his chair. “This won’t go well. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you can’t manage love. But I guess you’re just going to have to find that out for yourself.”

With that, he stands and strides from the room.

I sit there, Tate’s words ringing in my ears. You can’t manage love .

I give in and rub my sternum, trying to ease the tightness. I love Chloe. I’m doing this for her as much as the company.

She’ll understand.

She has to.