I’d signed with the Barons with the understanding that I would be under the microscope. I’d known I’d have to be closeted, that my every move would be scrutinized and ripped apart, and that I’d painted a big target on my back every time I refused to smile or wave to the cameras. And every time I let my temper get the better of me.
But I’d taken the deal because sixty million dollars would ensure I would never end up poor again. Even if that meant selling my freedom and hiding my sexuality forever. It seemed like that was where Noah was now. Which made him both relatable and dangerous. I didn’t want to feel bad for this guy. I wanted him to do a good job and stay out of my way.
“So, what’s to stop you from selling info and pictures to TMZ?”
Noah’s eyes opened wide. “I wouldn’t do that.”
“Why not? They pay tens of thousands for good enough dirt.”
“But—” Noah hunched forward as his brows crashed down. He not only looked alarmed, he looked offended. Those bright blue eyes were once again flashing behind his glasses, and his jaw was clenched. “Look, we just talked about ethics. I would never sell your information. I thought that was the purpose of the confidentiality agreement.”
“It is, but that doesn’t stop some people. Why the fuck do you think I don’t have any staff in this big-ass house?”
“I thought it was because you hated other people.”
“Heh. That too. But it’s also because the public hates me almost as much as they love Simeon Boudreaux, which means they’re equally hungry for good gossip.”
“Fine. I get it. But . . .” Noah’s tongue flicked over his lower lip, leaving a wet sheen. “Look, that’s not me. I want to work, not sell you out. If you called my references—”
“I did.” I was loath to show my other hand, but watching Noah squirm was more entertaining than it had any right to be. The kid was flushed and sweaty, and he wet his lips often enough for it to be a serious distraction. “I did some looking around.”
Relief briefly crossed Noah’s face. Then it drained away like rainwater going down the gutter. “What does that mean?”
“It means I called the references you provided and then had my people call some of their own.” I smirked. “Why didn’t you put Jamie Gallagher on your list?”
Noah ran a hand through his hair, but it was steady. Despite the sudden fading color in his handsome face, he wasn’t shaking. “Gallagher and I had a conflict of interest.”
“You had a relationship with him. Seems like you were both pretty interested.”
“Wow.” Noah went back to clenching his hands around the arms of the chair. “Who told you that?”
“I have ways of getting information.”
More accurately, Joe had ways of getting information. He’d thought the tidbit about Gallagher would prove something about Noah’s character and cause me to change my mind, but I wasn’t in the habit of judging people based on who they slept with.
“Why does this matter?” Noah asked, sounding weary.
“Because I want to know how someone like you wound up in a situation like that. I’m curious.”
“So I’m supposed to talk about my personal life just to satisfy your curiosity?”
“Yeah, pretty much. Also, Joe doesn’t think I should hire someone who sleeps with their bosses. It’s apparently not a good look.”
“Jamie wasn’t—” Noah took a deep breath. “Mr. Gallagher wasn’t the one who hired me. He was the director of SafeZone, but I was never assigned to work with him while interning. He had an office at the Manhattan location, but he mostly worked in Brooklyn. He started checking in on our location a while after I got hired full-time, and then things happened.”
“Happened poorly, apparently. Did he fire you after he had his fill? Or did you quit because he wouldn’t give you perks?”
“No,” Noah snapped. The fire was in his gaze again. I had a hard time thinking this ball of resentment and anger would willingly spread for anyone just because they had a fancy title. Noah was too aware of where he’d come from, and the fat pockets of everyone around him. “We connected after meeting at a company gala. Long conversations about our pasts and our reasons for wanting to do social work resulted in us making plans to have dinner again. I didn’t realize he was interested in me right away and when he told me, I was flattered. But I never thought it would lead to him giving me perks. Eventually, I found out he wasn’t the man I’d thought he was. And I quit.”
“That it?”
Noah swung his gaze away. “That’s it.”
It was clear the kid wasn’t giving me the whole story, but I had to give him credit for saying as much as he had. And I liked that he didn’t apologize or go on at length about what a mistake it’d been. He was owning his actions.