“I was a little rushed for time,” he weakly answered, staring me in the eyes. “It was the best point to break the news.”
“Yeah, well, why’s that, exactly?”
“It needed to get broken to the tabloids,” he answered coolly. “Disseminated from within my company. That’s partly why I explicitly called for an event photographer, to capture the moment. It would back up any claims made by my staff, of which there have already been some.”
“Oh yeah?”
“You…haven’t been following the tabloids,” he asked, tilting his head. “It was front page all week. We’d better get inside.” He was suddenly looking over his shoulder, staring down the street at the throng of people passing by.
“I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
“Well,” he answered aloofly, “Considering all of these people, I’ve undoubtedly been spotted here by now. The paparazzi know what you look like, and they are going to be here any minute now…and then they’ll know where you live.”
Oh, goddammit.
Chapter 12
Kiona
I pulled Cole inside the apartment and hastily locked the door behind him. Right afterwards, I pointed him to the modest two-seater table in my dining room.
“Look, I’m going to get changed, and then you’re going to tell me what’s going on and why you’re here,” I demanded.
“Take your time,” he replied casually, “but you might as well pack anything you’ll need for a while – and don’t forget your birth certificate, and any other identification you have. At least a couple of weeks, I’d recommend. Do you happen to have a suitcase, or should I make a few arrangements for you?”
“Yes, I’ve got suitcases…but why am I packing?” I paused, crossing my arms and glaring at him.
“Well, you’re coming with me,” he told me. “To my penthouse. The driver is waiting outside.” It acted as if everything was fine and that he hadn’t ruined me on stage.
Wait a second. “You’re kidding.”
“I’m not. Especially since they’ll be here soon.”
“You said you’d never let me live there. That you’d never trust me.”
“I changed my mind.”
“Explain.”
Cole sighed, glancing at his watch. “I owe you some an apology for the way I handled things. And if I leave you to the