Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 112917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
While Micki stammered out an apology and tried explaining, I turned forward in my seat to hide my grin but caught Claudia’s eye. She lifted her eyebrow at me as if asking what the hell was going on. I didn’t dare tell her.
“Drop me in Santa Monica?” I asked softly instead. She nodded.
We’d done this many times before, back before Zane had needed round-the-clock close personal protection and we would part ways at the end of a workday, letting our team’s driver deposit him safely behind the monitored gates of his home.
Now, of course, he’d have Paul and Miguel with him for the next forty-eight hours, regardless of whether he was home alone or not.
As long as the threats continued and the Stamper was still at large, Zane’s life was no longer his own.
Or mine.
I let out a frustrated breath.
“Is that what Violet was talking to you about this morning at the airport?” Zane asked. I didn’t need to turn back around to know he was angry at me. “And you didn’t bother to give me a heads-up?”
“She didn’t say what it was, only that I needed to come into the office to sign some papers. She assumed I’d go with her immediately and knock it out before heading home.” I didn’t mention that Violet had also said she needed to talk to me about a temporary new assignment.
There was no point in mentioning that to Zane until I knew what the assignment was.
“This is ridiculous. Do they really think that piece of paper would have prevented what happened with… those other people?” He stopped himself from naming names in front of Claudia. “And what’s next, huh? Does my pool guy have to sign one? My hairstylist? My attorney? Does my housekeeper have to sign one? That stupid agreement isn’t going to stop someone from suing me, nor is it going to stop someone from being a dick boss. Come on! This is fucking ridiculous.”
Kenji remained calm, as usual. “It’s not going to go away just because you’re upset about it.”
Zane was on a roll. “Well, guess what? I won’t sign it. And why should I? What are they going to do, fire me? Good. I’d like to see them try!”
Micki cut in carefully. “What’s the problem exactly? It’s not like this affects your current situation. Lou’s a lesbian, and Ryan is straight. Why can’t you just sign it?”
I closed my eyes and inhaled through my nose. This wasn’t the time to come out to Zane’s manager, but I also knew Zane would be uncomfortable letting the misunderstanding lie.
“It’s the principle of the matter,” Zane said stubbornly. I wanted to laugh. This wasn’t the first time I’d heard him use the expression, or even the hundredth time. “Besides, why should I sign anything at all? What’s the payoff for me?”
Micki sighed. “The payoff is that they sign it, too, and your personal security team doesn’t target you the way Addison Canto’s obviously did. No offense, Ryan.”
I clenched my jaw against the desire to snap at her that saying “no offense” usually indicated big offense. The assumption that the close protection officer was a gold digger was annoying as fuck. But maybe it was a good reminder of the attitudes I’d be confronted with when our relationship went public.
Micki turned to Zane. “Violet’s company is embracing the same policies. If they don’t, the label will drop them. If the label’s clients don’t sign, then Violet’s company will have to drop the label. Zee, everyone in town is doing this right now.”
“It’s reactionary,” Zane snapped.
“Yes,” Micki agreed patiently. “That’s how this town works, and we all know it. No other label is going to accept you if you don’t sign a no-frat policy after this.”
They hadn’t been paying attention to the drive because when Claudia finally pulled over at the end of my street, Zane made a squawking sound. “Why are we stopping?”
He’d obviously not recognized my neighborhood despite stopping here several times before to let me out. I chose to think it was because he was upset and distracted rather than take it as a disappointing reminder he knew very little about my life outside of the job.
I opened the door and nodded to Paul in the next vehicle to come up to this one. “I told you earlier, I have to get ready for a meeting. Claudia, thanks for the ride. Micki, thanks for going along with the lie. Kenji, if anyone crowdsources acting classes, you can count on me for a donation.” I locked eyes with Zane and felt my heart tumble.
Warm brown eyes were wide with concern and a hint of betrayal. But they were still so fucking sweet.
Honey.
“Z. Text me later.”
He didn’t open his mouth. Didn’t nod. Didn’t react at all. Only stared at me while I grabbed my bag out of the back and began walking up the street to my place.