“And they found nothing. It explains why CGTV refused to hand over a copy of the document that would support their claims—the marriage license doesn’t exist. This is the proof I needed to sink CGTV good and proper. Case closed.”
He beamed at Jada, who beamed back at him. She knew what would happen from here on out. He’d force CGTV to retract their story and hopefully some of the dirt they flung at her, too. And she wouldn’t have to worry about her reputation anymore. And, of course, she and Ian could explore where their mutual attraction might take them.
It all made sense, and it was so reassuring, knowing that the clean-up was in Ian’s capable hands.
Marina looked nothing short of astounded. “Why didn’t I think of that? CGTV was behind it. It makes perfect sense, doesn’t it?”
“That’s what I thought, too,” Jada said. “Everything makes sense.”
“Damned ballsy of them,” Trey said. “Someone must be nuts at that network.”
“It’s probably that Piper Sandy. She was seriously bitchy,” Sasha said.
“I don’t know. I kind of liked her,” Agatha said, her thumbs flying over her phone even faster than usual. Jada wondered who she was spreading the breaking news to.
Marina, too, was glued to her phone, and Jada suspected she was sending emails to the agents she’d been harassing for the past twenty-four hours, telling them she didn’t need to speak to their clients after all.
“Sullivan has already instructed the Buckley Holdings legal team to begin action against CGTV,” Ian said. “It won’t be long before CGTV will be begging for their lives. Keep an eye on the television. I expect something within the hour.”
The hubbub increased, but Jada hardly heard it. She only had ears and eyes for the man of the hour, and she wasn’t too modest to admit that he only had ears and eyes for her, too.
He came over and sat in a chair beside her. “So, what do you think?”
“I think you’re pretty wonderful.”
“I wasn’t begging for compliments, but I don’t mind getting them.”
She grinned. “You deserve it. You figured it out. I’d love to be a fly on the wall at CGTV when they get the call from your lawyers.”
“Should be any time now. I’m hoping for much pulling of hair and rending of clothes.”
Jada laughed. “Imagine Piper doing that. Ha!”
They chatted merrily, the conversation growing increasingly silly as their minds wandered to what was going to happen next. Jada wondered if it was too early to drag Ian upstairs. She wondered if he was thinking the same thing, except about her, of course.
Someone plucked at her sleeve. She brushed it off. It plucked again.
“Jada. Hey, Jada.”
“Uh-huh,” Jada answered, realizing it was Marina and wishing she’d quit bothering her while Jada was making eyes at Ian.
“Oh my gawd, Jada. Seriously. We need to find a television,” Marina said.
“Okay. Go ahead,” Jada said.
Marina raised her voice and called, “Is there a tv hidden in this room somewhere? Where is it?”
Jada snapped to, finally noticing the strained desperation in Marina’s voice.
Sullivan stood up. “Above the fireplace. Behind the painting. Hold on and I’ll find the remote.”
“What’s going on?” Jada asked Marina.
“Just turn on the TV. Damn. I don’t know. I just don’t know. It’s on Twitter. It has to be on TV too.”
“What’s on TV?” Ian asked.
“I’m not sure. Turn it to CGTV,” Marina said.
Jada knew her sister well enough to know that whatever was happening, it wasn’t good. Was that dread she saw on Marina’s face?
Sullivan found the remote and the painting over the fireplace slid aside to reveal a large, flat screen television. He turned it on and Marina gave him the correct channel number. CGTV appeared on the screen and Sullivan raised the volume.
Everyone waited in silent anticipation as a commercial for lipstick ended and regular CGTV programming resumed.
Piper Sandy smirked out at them, her blonde hair perfectly coiffed, her clothing immaculately fitted and at the height of fashion as always. She sat behind a desk as if she were a proper news anchor, an overly-groomed male co-host sitting beside her, who also seemed to be a professional smirker.
“Welcome back everyone,” Piper said. “If you’re just joining us, we have exclusive breaking news here at CGTV. You simply won’t believe the latest in the Buckley-Howarth wedding saga.”
Jada glanced at Ian who watched the blonde announcer with his upper lip curled in disgust.
Breaking news. Were they going to retract their story already? What was happening?
“If you haven’t heard the news, here it is all you lovelies,” Piper said, her voice slick with glee. “Today, we got our hands on a new marriage license involving the Buckley/Howarth/Sasha triangle. That’s right, a triangle of the most risqué sort.”
She reached down, picked up a piece of paper on the table and waved it in the air. “This is it, what everyone’s talking about.”
“Quit teasing!” her co-host squealed. “I’m sure they already know.”
“I can’t help it, Dirk. You know how I am.”
Dirk mugged for the camera. “Do I ever, Piper-girl.”
Jada didn’t think they could get more revolting. She was wrong.
“Okay, so here it is,” Piper said, still holding up the piece of paper. “This is a marriage license and it proves, without a doubt, that Jada Howarth isn’t only married to Ian Buckley.”
Dirk gasped and goggled at the camera.
“That’s right,” Piper said. “Jada Howarth is a bigamist! Married to two people at the same time. And you’ll never guess who husband number two is!”
“It’s so unbelievable!” Dirk gushed. “Tell them! OMG!”
“Jada Howarth is also married to none other than the formerly-jilted fiancée herself—supermodel Sasha!”
Jada’s mouth dropped open. She heard a gasp from someone else in the room. She couldn’t look away from the screen, though, and the two gloating hosts.
“That’s right, America.” Piper oozed with false outrage. “While the rest of us are normal, law-abiding citizens, the rich play by their own depraved rules. Both Ian Buckley and Sasha have married a bigamist nobo
dy.”
“Tell them the rest,” Dirk urged.
“I am,” Piper said. “And when I say depraved, I mean it. Prepare yourselves for this next one. Right here on the marriage license that proves Jada and Sasha are legally married, there’s a line for witnesses. And you’ll never guess who witnessed the wedding.”
“Who?” Dirk’s voice was a piercing treble.
“Jada’s husband, Ian Buckley, and Sasha’s brother and billionaire hottie, Trey Russell. They both signed the marriage license as witnesses! They were there! Hashtag freaky-deekies, huh?”
Pandemonium broke out in the sitting room. Jada hardly heard the roar, hardly felt Marina taking her arm and asking her something. Hardly noticed Trey and Ian jumping out of their seats. Hardly understood Agatha’s howl of outrage or Sasha’s string of curses.
It washed over her like it was happening to someone else. It must not be true. How could CGTV do this if they didn’t have proof? What the hell?
Everyone in the country now believed Jada was a bigamist. No, wait. She read the words popping up on the text box inset behind Piper’s talking head. It said:
“Who’s the victim? Jada Howarth, bisexual bigamist and plaything for the rich and famous? Or is she using her sexuality to suck her two wealthy spouses dry?”
Bisexual bigamist and plaything? Her phone vibrated and she pulled it out without thinking. It was an email from work, the accounting firm of Talleyrand, Dilling, Stifferton and Associates. She’d sent them a message earlier telling them she needed to use a few days vacation in order to straighten out her personal situation. She hadn’t heard back until now.
The email was short, and came from Mr. Talleyrand’s account. Not good. The message was short and simple: “Take all the time you need. With the latest news, we’re going to have much to discuss before we can consider your return. Please keep in mind that this is a conservative firm.”
He might as well have come straight out and fired her. That’s what was going to happen anyway.
Ian told Sullivan to turn off the television. Jada finally looked at Ian. She’d never seen anyone look more ferocious. And it wasn’t because he was ranting or raving; it was because he was unearthly calm and quiet, the only sign of his fury being the fire raging behind his eyes. The juxtaposition was unsettling.