Always With You (The Connor Family 6)

Will and Jace winced. “Oh, shit. She’s starting with the emotional blackmail,” the latter said.

Landon’s smile just became more pronounced, as if he’d been expecting this. Well, he probably had. As the oldest, he’s been on the receiving end of my tactics for the longest. I practically cut my teeth on him.

But I also knew I could count on him to hold down the fort next week.

It was late when I left Val’s house, and I took my phone out when I climbed into my car, about to check on Reid, when a notification caught my eye. I’d put an alert on his name, so I’d know when he popped up in online media outlets.

Currently, the alert app showed “one new mention.” I had strictly forbidden myself to check articles in the evening, because then I couldn’t switch off my brain, which led to restless sleep. But this was Reid.

I tapped the app, and of course that was when my phone’s battery died. Crap, crap, crap.

I reached into the back seat, grabbing my laptop. Even from this distance, I still got a weak Wi-Fi signal from Val’s house.

My heart squeezed when I read the newest alert at the top of the page.

Marion had given a counterstatement, addressing Reid’s article in LA Lifestyle.

I clicked the link, reading through the article as fast as possible. I couldn’t believe Marion. My blood boiled as I forced myself to read the article to the end. She accused Reid of being a man-whore, of cheating on her during their entire relationship. I ran a hand through my hair, leaning back in the seat, closing my eyes for a few moments to calm myself down.

Had Reid seen this already? Unlikely. If I could, I’d keep him away from this. Not very professional of me, but then again, when it came to Reid, I didn’t feel very professional. Right now, I felt protective of him, and I knew just how deep these accusations would hurt.

I headed straight to the hotel. I wanted to be the one to tell Reid. Usually, I first mapped out the next steps. I knew he’d appreciate that because he was a practical man. But I needed a few hours for that, and I really didn’t want him to find out about the article from anyone else.

Reid was still in the meeting when I arrived. Even his assistant had left, but I could hear muffled voices coming from one of the meeting rooms. I’d brought my laptop with me, but I was too worked up to do anything more than pace through the waiting area.

I didn’t know how much time passed before the voices grew closer, and then Reid and his appointment walked out.

Reid tilted his head playfully to one side when he saw me.

After a brief introduction, his business partner left.

“This is a pleasant surprise,” Reid said. “Missed me so much?”

I cleared my throat, smoothing my skirt. Oh, no. He was smiling broadly at me, and I came bearing bad news. His smile faded as he looked down at my hands, taking them into his.

“What’s wrong?”

“Marion made a statement in answer to your article.”

His grip on my hands tightened. “Show me.”

We sat side by side, and I opened my laptop. I hadn’t closed the article. Reading it for the third time wasn’t any less unpleasant.

“This is bullshit,” he exclaimed. Rising to his feet, he paced the waiting area, hands in his pockets, head down. He reminded me of a tiger studying his prey before lunging.

“We expected a retaliation,” I said gently.

He laughed without humor. “Yes, but I was not expecting even more lies. I’ll end her, I swear to God.”

“Reid, as your PR counsel, I urge you not to do anything rash. The easiest way to snuff this out would be to publicly declare that she had an affair with your manager. They’re not together anymore, maybe he’ll even back you up.”

“Walk up to a man who looked me in the face every day and lied to me, laughed behind my back?”

“Okay, don’t ask for his backup. Just let me write a PR statement on your behalf where I declare this.”

His features tightened. “Can’t do that. Sorry. Anything but that.”

“You’re exasperating. You’re making this unnecessarily difficult.”