THREE
ROXIE MADE HER excuses when Alice and Carolyn invited her to join them for shopping and lunch. She couldn’t accept their promise to make a day of it because she had a prior engagement.
The Platinum Suite’s butler—who they wouldn’t normally have around when Zairn was in charge—brought her guest inside.
“Ms. Kyst,” the butler said, stepping aside to gesture at the other man. “Reeve Crosby.”
Pasting on a smile, she opened her arms. “We don’t need to be introduced.” The butler was already departing. “We’re old friends, Reeve, right?”
“Always happy to get your call, Roxie.”
Funny, given it had only happened once.
“Shame I can’t say the same.” Her smile stayed in place and her tone amicable. She didn’t give his twitch of confusion time to fully manifest and just sailed on. “Please come sit down.”
This was nice. Polite. Friendly. She could be personable when required.
The press didn’t always get that side of her.
She wasn’t openly hostile… often. Zairn called it a “symbiotic relationship.” Yeah, the media had done them favors, and it was easier now she had a hold of steering.
Being a passenger was much less fun. Her guy wasn’t wrong though.
She should listen to him more often. What was she thinking?
There was no one she trusted more. But that ego of his had to be kept in check, couldn’t let him get any big ideas…
She and Reeve sat at opposite ends of the same couch, and she poured coffee from the pot on the table. Gracious. Placid. Completely non-threatening. No claws needed. Not yet anyway.
“Heard Zachary Kintyre had his kid,” Reeve said. “Got any pictures?”
“Oh, yeah, hang on while I send you a dozen.”
She paused and tipped her chin his way, showing a smile that countered his. They both knew there were pictures, and they both knew she wouldn’t share them.
“Can’t blame a guy for trying.”
Couldn’t she? She finished pouring and handed him a cup.
“His wife had more to do with producing the kid than he did.”
“She’s great. Lilya’s great.”
“Yes, she is.” She settled back. Enough small talk, this was no dilettante’s luncheon. “We have business.”
“Yes, we do.” He produced a tablet from his messenger bag. “I haven’t had a lot of time with this. I didn’t know you were going to call—though I love that you did. You can. Any time. I almost brought Beverley with me but—”
“Beverley Woo?”
The producer. Interesting.
“She’s the best way to get to Karryn Keller.” Super famous top-tier TV interviewer. “You want the best. You deserve the best.”
Oh, did she? Nice of him to notice. Though the opinion may change when he wasn’t buttering her up.
“I think there’s been a misinterpretation.”
“What do you mean?” he asked, unlocking his tablet.
Before he could get as far as opening any app, she slid closer to push the device down. “I didn’t invite you here to ask questions, I invited you here to answer them.”
And his brow lowered. “Answer them?”
“Anjelica.”
“I don’t know her.” He was quick to shake his head though had an air of reveling in the reversal of roles. Her Casanova wasn’t the only one with an ego. “I could try to…”
“I’m not interested in you trying anything.”
“I’m surprised Zairn’s still in New York. Thought he’d get here as fast as he could after the story broke.”
She sipped her coffee. “Why would he do that?”
“Haven’t heard anything about the wedding being canceled.”
“Ah, is that why you rushed over here? You want the scoop? Is this where I confess all?”
“You must’ve thought about calling the wedding off.”
Must’ve? No. In private, months ago, she and Zairn discussed stepping aside for Jane’s special day, giving all the focus to her friend. If their wedding, hers and Zairn’s, was ever to be called off, or they decided not to go ahead with it, that would be a decision made together. Never apart.
Helped that they were already married.
That might be a closely held secret, meaning it wasn’t often addressed, but she couldn’t imagine not having that security cradling her through life. Now it was there, she wouldn’t be able to live without it.
Maintaining her confidence, she faux sighed. “Oh, Mr. Crosby, you should do better research. Didn’t you see my stream last night?”
“From the club?” He put the tablet on the table and settled back. “Looked like you were having a good time.”
“I was.” She set the cup on the table. “I always have a good time in Crimson.”
“With a Breckenridge.”
Reporters wanted information, that was their stock and trade, she got it. They weren’t used to being the providers of information, which may be why he didn’t realize this was going exactly the way she assumed it would. There was no trust, only mutual satisfaction… or dissatisfaction.
“Yes,” she agreed, “a Breckenridge. A whole one all to myself. Greedy? There’s enough to go around.”
“Tripp Breckenridge has a reputation.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“You spend a lot of time with him.”
“And you think maybe Zairn is jealous or wants rid of the young scallywag?”
“He’s a man used to attention. You and Breckenridge are closer in age, kindred spirits. Zairn’s ready to settle down.”
“Tell you that himself, did he?” Tossing her hair, she turned more toward him. “Zairn knows what he wants.”
“What is that?”
Her smile was unashamed. “Me.”
“Thinks he can have you and his sidepiece too?”
“We’re talking about Zairn Lomond here.”
Interest raised his chin. “Meaning?”
“You know what I mean.”
Generalities were okay. And he could make his assumptions and reach his own conclusions.
“That you accept it? Him and other women? That he can handle two of you. More than two? What do you get out of the deal if he keeps on with the lifestyle? Suiting himself?”
The cretin was almost salivating. A private audience. For him, it was probably better than hardcore porn.
“You want me to say words that will justify our lives.”
“Is it the money?” he asked. “The exposure? Is the relationship even real?”
“Why would you ask that?”
“You spend a lot of time apart. Now we find out he has this girl on the side—or is he responding to the obviously intimate relationship you have with Tripp Breckenridge?”
“Obviously?”
“You’re not alone. He keeps his options open. A lot of women fall for it.”
Her half smirk wasn’t easy to subdue. “Fall for… Who are we talking about now?”
“Breckenridge.”
“Any one in particular?”
“This is your story, Ms. Kyst. You came into Zairn’s life… things haven’t been the same since then.”
She filled her lungs. “The same for who?”
“Zairn. His life. The people in it. Public perception. It’s no secret there are those who doubt your sincerity.”
“Do you doubt my sincerity?”
“It’s not my job to judge.”
“You’re just the messenger?”
“Tough job, but someone has to do it.”
She didn’t believe for a second that he was humble or modest.
“Whatever it is you’re trying to say, Reeve, say it.”
“I get it. You want the man for the lifestyle and credibility he can give you. In exchange, you improve his image by overtly displaying a relationship. While in the background he…” She could tell he anticipated her filling in the blank. She didn’t, just folded her arms. “You know… you’re a beard.”
“Oh, is that what I am? Didn’t your momma teach you it’s not nice to call people names?”
“I’m on your side, Roxie. You were plucked out of nowhere.
You didn’t ask for this. The life you lived before is gone.
You can’t fade into obscurity now, people are too invested.
He has you.” Damn right. “Fans, Zairn lovers, even Zairn haters, are intrigued by you. This is where you are, and you have to make the most of it.”
“Is that what I’m doing?”
“You tell me,” he said. “What’s really going on here? Is it really going to happen?”
“The wedding?”
“It’s a big commitment if you’re not invested.”
“What makes you think I’m not?”
“You have pride. This man’s making a fool of you. He’s having an affair.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“I don’t have to be sure,” he said, almost shrugging her off. “I’m not the one walking down the aisle in eleven days.”
“Twelve.”
“I’ve heard he’s got a week of bachelor parties lined up in various states.”
“Heard from who? Did you get an invite?”
He snickered. “My source is robust.”
“That tells me a lot.”
“Zairn’s had a wild life. I’m surprised Anjelica’s the first woman to sell her story since you got together.”
“Yes, that is curious.”
Reeve wanted to probe, to ask, to delve deep. As he almost leaned in, she was surprised he didn’t need the tablet to hide his arousal.
“Have you heard stories? Had women getting in touch? I could help.”
Her head tilted. “Help? How?”
“You want to be sure he’s committed. That he won’t make a fool of you.
” Hmm. Okay. Stay quiet because he’ll keep going in just a few—“There have to be other women. You’ve known each other eighteen months now.
” His smirk was close to ridicule. “Eighteen months! You don’t honestly think he’s been faithful to you all that time. Zairn Lomond? Monogamous?”
She didn’t have to “think” it because she knew it wholly and completely.
“What do you suggest?”
“I’ll do some digging. Ask some questions. I can get you answers.”
“You can…” She better be selling this. “No, I—”
“I’ve never done you wrong, Roxie.” Hadn’t he? “No one has to know, we’ll keep it between us.”
Pretending to ponder, she rolled her lips between her teeth. “Reeve—”
“I’ll get Anjelica. I’ll find out what happened, where she came from, who found her…”
“Who found her is something I’ve wondered myself.”
“Do you think she’s finished? That she’ll disappear now?”
“I don’t know, Mr. Crosby. Why don’t you tell me?”
“I can find out.”
“Who paid her? Who set her up to rear her head at this opportune moment?”
“I can find out.”
“Really,” she said, sliding along the couch. “You can find out?”
“Yeah,” he strutted. “Maybe it’s not about money.
If money was it, she’d have contacted Zairn.
Told him how much she was being offered…
” Blackmail. “And he’d have given her more to keep her quiet.
” Another frown. “Unless he’s playing to it.
Could be he’s goading you. Showing the world he’s got you right where he wants you. ”
Uh huh. Oh, it wasn’t easy to restrain her incredulity. Was he honestly expecting her to buy his innocence and Zairn’s guilt? He might think he was getting in, and she’d keep on letting him believe that.
Exuding uncertainty, innocence faded up. She couldn’t play it too hard or he’d know she was messing with him.
“I don’t know…”
“Don’t be na?ve,” he said, inching nearer.
“Na?ve?”
“What’s the harm? Think about it. If there’s nothing to find, you’ve got peace of mind.”
Raising her thumbnail to her teeth, she worried it just a little. “Hmm, there’s just one little problem.”
“What’s the problem?”
Pushing the tablet along the couch, out of her way, she kept on going until her knee touched his thigh.
“Maybe I’m not so…” Her thumb trailed down her throat, over her breast, descending from her body until her crooked forefinger could touch his leg. “Innocent myself.”
The flash of his surprise betrayed him being caught on the spot. “You’re saying you…?”
“We’ve never had a chance to get to know each other, properly, you and me.” Her finger slid further across his leg to join the others. “Would you like to get to know me, Mr. Crosby?”
“I… I don’t…”
Widening her smile again, she leaned in a little.
“If you think for one second I don’t know you’re behind the Anjelica bullshit, you’re sadly mistaken.
You stir the pot, Reeve. You stir and stir.
Anything for the story. You’ve sucked that innocent woman into the mud and she won’t thank you for it in the end, I guarantee it. ”
“Roxie, I would never—”
“Print whatever the hell you like, but don’t you ever doubt Z to my face again. Don’t do it when I’m in the fucking room. I guarantee you’ll regret it.”
“I—”
Strengthening her legs, she shot to her feet. “Get the hell out of my sight.”
Scrambling up, he was quick to turn on his heels and run the hell out of there. As the suite door closed, Tripp appeared from the internal hallway, still mussed from bed but dressed at least.
“Who was that?” he asked.
Obviously he’d heard the door close.
On an exhale, she sat again and swept up her coffee. “No one important.”
“Rox Out, what are you doing?”
“Nothing,” she said, aware he’d never buy her innocence so ended it with a sly smile. “Just entertaining myself.”
He nodded to the seat beside her. “What’s that?”
Ah, look at that, Reeve had been so desperate to leave, he’d forgotten his tablet.
She swept it up. “This is Dyce tech.”
“And Rourke’s Mosaic software.”
Oh, he read her mind.
“Think I’ll give Roux a call,” she said. “Maybe we’ll take a trip north.”
“They’re not back home until tomorrow.”
She hadn’t even known they were anywhere.
“How do you know that?” she asked.
“Mieux’s holding things together up there.” He dropped onto the couch beside her, taking the tablet at the same time. “Your friend won’t come back for it?”
“He could try, but my guess is we’re safe. I don’t think he’ll be bothering us for a while.”