Page 56 of The Ruin
I clench my jaw, determined to wait out the rest of the conversation.
“Glad we had this talk,” Guy says. “I thought we’d be scrambling to look for a backup from some other agency in the middle of what’s shaping up to be Maxilene’s most profitable marketing campaign.”
“Not at all!” Luka replies. “In the long run, it’s going to be better for your image and ours if we just stay the course. DRM’s got some serious PR hustling to do, stat, but we’ll roll with the punches. This isn’t exactly brand-new territory for us, as you and I have discussed.”
My husband’s words hit me like a ton of bricks. I’ve really, really screwed up. Right when the Zorics’ agency had finally regained its reputation and was starting to make waves in the industry as Danica Rose Management. I have to fix this. And I know exactly what to do.
As I take a deep breath and start to turn away, I hear the men getting off the call.
Guy says, “I won’t take up any more of your time, but give a shout if you need anything.”
“Oh, I will,” Luka says good-naturedly. “In fact, how would you like to be my stand-in at the board meeting this afternoon? I’ve never been a big fan of tar and feathers.”
Guy laughs at Luka’s joke, and I hurry out of there, brushing tears from my cheeks.
So there’s a board meeting this afternoon, and Luka’s expecting it to go poorly. I hadn’t even considered that—they could vote to drop him from the company if they think he’s had a hand in this latest scandal. Hell, he was barely hanging on to his job before I came around.
He’s spent months proving himself worthy of his position, working his ass off to show Stefan and the board that he’s capable. What if they fire him because of me? He married a traitor, after all. They’ll question his judgment, his business sense, his integrity. Fuck.
After I duck into the elevator and punch the G button for the parking garage, I blot my runny mascara with a tissue and put my sunglasses on. I’m sure my eyes are puffy and red by now, and I can’t risk anyone seeing me fleeing the DRM offices looking like this. I check my phone again. There’s a text from Emzee, just saying she hasn’t been able to get ahold of Stefan yet. Great. I know she’s in my corner, but who knows how Stefan is reacting to all of this?
The doors ding and I step out into the parking garage, only to find a swarm of paparazzi hanging around in a cluster, waiting for me like predators. My stomach twists, and I’m beyond grateful my sunglasses are already on. I’ve never been bombarded like this. I’m usually with other people who can shield me, and I’ve never been considered so interesting that a dozen people with cameras are sent to flood my personal space. This is a nightmare. Holding my head high, I’m determined to walk right past them. They can’t touch me.
“Is it true you married into the Zoric family so you could sell the agency’s secrets to their biggest competitor?” someone shouts.
“Can you confirm or deny the details of Monica Shore’s story?”
“Look this way! Brooklyn! Hey, over here!”
I hurry to my SUV. Clicking the fob to unlock it, I try to ignore all the strangers yelling at me as I jump in and slam the door. My ears ring from the shouting and clicking, but I do my best to keep a neutral expression on my face. The car that I hit earlier is gone now, giving me plenty of space to back up, make a sharp turn, and make my tires squeal driving out of there.
My eyes are filling up again, and it’s hard to see. I slow down and bump out of the parking lot, then zigzag my way through the city until I reach a quiet park near the water. My chest heaves, my mind races, and I let out a few sobs before steeling myself for what’s next.
I can’t allow Luka to take the fall for this. I can’t hurt Danica Rose Management, or Tori, or Emzee, or Stefan. The new baby needs a dad with a stable job and income. She deserves to have a good family name with a good reputation. It’s time to make a call.
My phone rings. I almost shout with joy when I see who it is. It’s like he read my mind.
“Mateo!”
“Brookie? Oh, thank God. Are you holding up okay?”
“I’m really not,” I admit, my voice shaking a little. “And I need a favor, a big one.”
“Yes, I will kill Monica. How do you want it done? Messy to make a statement, or pig-farm clean so there’s no trace?”
I laugh through my tears. “Thank you for that, but no. Listen, remember when you were banging that editor fromTMZlast summer? What was her name?”
There’s a beat of silence before Mateo draws out my name. “Brooklyn…”
“I need to do this, Mat. I’ve got a story to tell. Hook me up.”
He huffs but I know he won’t deny me. “Blair Roberts. I’ll send you her number.”
“Thank you.”
We talk for a few minutes more before I end the call. Seconds later, Mateo texts me her contact info.
I stare at it for a moment before taking a deep breath and dialing.
