Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Umma’s face filled the left side of the video frame. “Oliver Fox? From Fox Hunt?”
“I know,” Bea said, tucking one leg beneath her in the oversized armchair. Her library bookshelves rose behind her, particularly fetching in the early morning light. “Please don’t tell Papa yet. I’m serious. Not until we’ve decided how to handle it.”
“That manipulative bastard,” Claire muttered, prying open her lunch container. She was definitely hiding in a meeting room. “I can’t believe I ever liked his YouTube videos.”
“I used to be impressed that he could get the guests no one else could.” Bea picked up a slice of apple, more for something to do with her hands than hunger.
“And the photos?” Claire asked, digging into her rice. “No one else got them?”
“I don’t really know.” Bea nibbled her fruit. “I’m hoping he wanted to be the only one holding the knife.”
Umma shook her head in disgust, holding her chopsticks aloft. “The lengths men go for money and fame. Very sad.”
In the room next door, Bea could hear the whir of a vacuum. “He probably expected me to freak out and try to handle it myself. Like, hesitate to show Rafael.”
“And you didn’t?” Claire asked.
Bea shook her head. “I didn’t even rehearse it. I walked in and put them in his hands.”
Claire wiped her mouth with a napkin. “He couldn’t have taken it well.”
“I’ve never seen him like that,” Bea whispered. Her forearms prickled at the memory—paper tearing, fast and violent. “It wasn’t just anger.”
“But he believed you,” Umma said softly, putting her chopsticks over her rice bowl.
“He didn’t doubt me. It’s just…that’s the power of a picture. You can know it’s not real, but your body responds like it is.”
“So what are you going to do?” Claire probed.
Bea looked down at the apple in her hand. “I’m still figuring that out.”
Claire popped another bite of rice into her mouth. “Okay but quick reminder.” Bea glanced up. Claire lifted a brow. “You’re married to the CEO of Mount Doom now. Pretty sure he outranks Oliver Fox.”
Umma made a small approving noise. “Rafael will not let anyone harm you.”
“No.” Bea exhaled slowly. “He definitely won’t.”