“Lack of a professional relationship has never stopped you before,” he reminded her with a wink.
Her cheeks burned brighter. “But now I have the satisfaction of knowing you’re paying me to tell you the way things are going to be.” A Cheshire-cat grin tilted her lips as she enjoyed what she perceived as the upper hand.
She’d soon learn he rarely gave up control. Doing things his way was the only means of assuring himself that nobody would hurt him the same way his real father had.
“So what’s going on in there?” He lightly tapped her head.
She swallowed hard. “I’ve known Spencer practically my whole life and he’s never mentioned having a son. Never mind one who’s the top quarterback in the NFL.”
He folded his arms across his chest. He hated the subject, never mind that he’d opened this Pandora’s box. “So?”
“So considering the news currently circulating, forgive me if I question your story, as well as your motives for wanting to see Spencer.”
He wasn’t surprised she had the guts to stand up to him. After all, she was one of the top publicists in a male-dominated market.
He raised an eyebrow. “The man was just outed. Do you really think I’d pick this particular time to announce my relationship to Atkins unless it was true?”
She paused, then slowly nodded, acknowledging his point.
Although she accepted his argument, he couldn’t ignore how she’d leaped to Spencer’s defense. “So what are you? Atkins’s protector?”
She squared her shoulders. “Don’t underestimate me because I’m a woman, Nash. We’re like family around here. What affects one of us affects us all.”
How nice that Atkins had family here when he’d so deliberately ignored his own. Her words shouldn’t have hurt but they did. They sliced like a knife inside Riley’s chest. Unfortunately they didn’t diminish the need for him to talk to the old man.
Since the Atkins and Hot Zone merger, Riley had done all his agency business over the phone. He hadn’t wanted to risk running into his father. Now that was exactly what he wished to do.
He needed to reach Atkins and ensure the man’s silence, as he’d promised his mother when she’d called in a panic earlier. Which meant he also needed Sophie and whatever connections she had.
He had no choice but to spill his guts. “Whether or not he’s ever acknowledged the fact, I am Spencer Atkins’s son. Actually, I’m just another of his dirty little secrets, but this secret affects more than just him. I need to talk to him as soon as possible.”
Sophie’s expression softened. “I would tell him if I could. Unfortunately, Spencer has been out of touch for three days. And while we’re sharing secrets, I should add if we don’t get in touch with him soon, the agency will lose the first-round pick in the football draft.” She expelled a frustrated breath. “So can you help me?”
Apparently she needed him, too, putting them on more equal ground. The notion eased the vise squeezing his chest. “I haven’t been in contact with Spencer in the past few days, either.” He deliberately left out his lack of a relationship with the older man up until now. “But I can make some calls and see if anyone in my family has any ideas about where he might go.” Starting with his mother, Riley thought. It may have been years since she and Spencer had spoken, but maybe she remembered some relatives or someplace he liked to hide out.
“Feel free.” Sophie gestured to the phone on her desk.
He strode over and sat down. A howl sounded loud and shrill in his ears at the same time he jumped off something warm and soft. He glanced down. A white curly-haired mutt glared at him from Sophie’s desk chair.
Sophie laughed, a light, carefree sound, so opposite from her normally uptight voice he was astounded. It made him want to see her loosen up in every way.
“Something funny?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I just didn’t realize Noodle had switched seats.”
“Better to sit on the dog than on dog—”
She cleared her throat, cutting him off.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to offend your delicate sensibilities.” This time he chuckled. “How do I get an outside line? Need to dial nine?”
She shook her head. “Just pick up the phone and press any free line.”
Resigned, Riley dialed his mother and had mixed feelings when she wasn’t home to take his call. On the one hand he was grateful he wouldn’t have to upset her by discussing Spencer again, and on the other hand he was aggravated he’d have to spend more time on this search.
“Hi, Frannie. Come on in.” Sophie’s voice interrupted his thoughts as an older woman with gray hair walked into the room, a piece of paper in hand.
“Spencer has two sisters and a niece who live in Florida,” the other woman said.