Page 94 of Nothing to the Wedding

“It was not Tibbs.”She breathed out.“You were eavesdropping or someone was.Hotel staff?”

As far as she knew, her guy hadn’t left the hotel, so it would have to be someone with access to the suite.

“Maybe…”

And that sly expression intrigued.

It hit her.“The butler,” she said.“Damnit.”

Zairn probably hadn’t had the chance to tell the guy to take a hike.She’d been staying in that suite for a couple of weeks, it had almost become a home from home.Usually, their lives were protected, their privacy secure.Her guy’s rules should stand whether he was around or not.Lesson learned.

“I don’t give up my sources.”

“No, of course not.”

“The guy loses his job and I’ll—”

“We don’t go around firing people, or demanding they be fired.”They could demand certain people not be in their vicinity though.Preserving their privacy was important.“It is what it is.”

“Reasoned,” he said.“Will your husband agree with you?”

“I don’t know, ask Anjelica, apparently I make all the decisions and manipulate him, blackmail him.”The tapering of his eyes zeroed in, he tilted his head, suggesting confusion.“What is it?Come on.Just say it.This is a safe space.”

“Ha, if only that was true.”

“It is, for the duration of this conversation,” she said.“I’ve had enough champagne to loosen up the boundaries.”Her head dropped to the side as she whispered.“Just don’t tell Z.”

“You don’t seem like that, like you’d manipulate him.Maybe you do.From my experience you’re less… subtle.”

Blunt was one of Zairn’s favorite words for her.Thanks, Knox.Manipulation did take time and effort she’d rather not waste.And if they couldn’t be honest with each other…

She chose to take that observation as a compliment.“Thank you.”

“When it comes to the press… He’s much more relaxed with us now than he was before you.”

“And…”

“And explain it to me.I don’t—everything Anjelica says, you say it’s a lie.”

“It is.”

“So how do you sit here, smiling, living your life without… Why don’t you speak out?Tell the truth.Tell the people the truth, whatever it is.”

“Defend my relationship?My husband?My honor?”

“Yes!”

On a head shake, she laughed.“To who?I love him and he loves me.We have a life together, communication, respect… My life is incredible and I’ve never been happier.What difference does it make what a stranger says to the press?Saying it doesn’t make it true.”

“But your stream, the clubs, and—”

“Business is fine.And I talk to people through my streams, sometimes I answer questions.I’m always honest.I’ll tell the truth or decline to talk about something if it crosses a line.Anjelica, she… either she’s a plant or she’s sick.Z and I are more likely to help her get help than think about tearing her down.There’s no satisfaction in that.”

“People doubt, when you stay quiet, they think there’s a story.”

“Is that what you think?Okay…” She righted her dress over her knee.“Let’s say it’s true, that everything the faux mistress is saying is true.”No juicy quote in that.“Hypothetically.”

“Yeah…”