Page 68 of Fallen Angel

In an attempt to cheer himself up, he’s behind closed doors in his office, looking through photos from the Emma Holland cover shoot. He already knows the one he likes best: Emma and Tyler draped all over each other like they’re five seconds away from fucking. It will be the cover of the next issue.

Looking at it now is painful. Aside from the unwanted erection the photo is giving him, it’s also a reminder of his last afternoon with Tyler, who no longer returns his messages. Billy thought that little tryst at the Maritime was a pre-celebration: He was sure he’d figured out a way to shut Violet down. Instead, he made things worse. And he has to accept that Tyler won’t forgive him for the mess.

But losing Tyler is the cost, as they say, of doing business. As infuriated as he is by the blackmail, in an odd way, Violet has done him a favor. A few of his key advertisers have cut their budgets in half. Word from his friends on Wall Street and in tech are that magazines are dead. Not dying off but already dead. So he needs a plan B. Taking over the Blue Angel isn’t the worst fallback plan. It’s nightlife, it’s glamour, it’s celebrity. It’s showbiz. It’s timeless.

He’s startled by a knock on the door.

“I’m busy,” he barks.

The door opens. It’s Alec Martin.

“Hey, now’s not a good time,” Billy says. “But your Emma Holland piece is good to go. Nice work.”

Alec closes the door behind him and walks closer to Billy’s desk.

“Why are you doing this?” Alec says.

“Doing what?”

“Going into business with Violet. If you wanted to get into the burlesque game, why not come to Mallory and me? I thought we were friends.”

How does he know? The sale of the Blue Angel isn’t public knowledge yet. In the end, the Post didn’t run the article. Luckily for him.

“We are friends,” Billy says carefully. “And I don’t know what this has to do with you. Mallory quit the Blue Angel. But if she wants to come back, I have good news.” Billy stands up and walks around to the front of his desk. “Violet seems to be a big fan of Mallory’s. She plans on inviting her back—and I know this because she insisted on a big budget for Mallory’s pay to make it worth her while.” It was a strange clause in the deal, one he didn’t think would come into play. But he was wrong. He wonders when he’ll finally stop feeling like Violet is always one step ahead of him. It’s something he’s just going to have to figure out.

For some reason, this only seems to make Alec more agitated.

“Well, Mallory is not a fan of Violet’s, and neither am I. Do you really know who you’re getting into business with?”

“Alec, you’re a rising star. You have a big future. Why distract yourself with this?”

“I could ask you the same,” Alec says.

“I’m diversifying.”

Alec nods. “Fair enough. But that still doesn’t answer the question: Why Violet?”

“It’s complicated,” Billy says, avoiding eye contact.

“Well, here’s something uncomplicated: I quit.”

Alec drops his Gruff magazine ID card and passkey on the desk. Billy knows he’s been neglecting the magazine a little with everything that’s going on, but he had no idea Alec Martin was dissatisfied. This can’t just be about not liking Violet.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Billy says, scooping up the passkey and following him to the door of his office. “I just gave you the cover!”

Alec turns around.

“Billy, you don’t get it: You’re going into business with a dangerous person. The fact that you either don’t know that or don’t care makes it impossible for me to continue working for you.”

“Oh, spare me. Because you’re so principled and perfect?”

“No,” Alec says. “Because I’m going to devote my time and energy to making sure Violet Offender fails.”

“How? You going to write a hit piece on the club? The power of the pen?” Billy says.

And then his best writer walks out the door. Another nail in the coffin for Gruff. Billy Barton just hopes he isn’t buried along with it.

Chapter Thirty-Three