Page 178 of Pure Recklessness

So even though I knew talking about this would be painful, it was time that I did the same.

66

ELLIE

Why did I have to open my big mouth and ask Blake about his ex?

Clearly, he didn’t want to talk about it.

I knew it was something bad and when Dana first mentioned it, I’d meant to look it up online, but every time I thought about doing it, something held me back.

Trawling the internet for gossip on his relationship breakup felt intrusive.

But now I’d just put my foot in it.

Blake’s face hardened.

He ground his jaw and I was sure he was going to shut the conversation down. Instead, he paused.

‘She betrayed me,’ he spat out angrily before walking out of the kitchen then over to the sofa.

My eyes instantly widened, but I didn’t say anything. I went and sat beside Blake, then gave him the time and space to decide whether he wanted to elaborate.

‘Pandora was working at Sated as an editor. She was very competent. And ambitious. I admired her,’ Blake said and my stomach tensed as my insecurities flooded to the surface. I always knew he’d be attracted to accomplished women.

I quickly pushed my thoughts away. This wasn’t about me.

‘She was very persuasive,’ he said. ‘In more ways than one. Excellent at building relationships with authors and agents and getting them to sign with Sated. And as time went on, she made it very clear that she also wanted me. In those days, we didn’t have any formal restrictions on staff dating. As long as it was consensual and didn’t interfere with work, it was acceptable.’

I nodded to let him know I was listening intently.

‘I resisted at first. But she was an attractive and talented woman. My kryptonite. So we started dating. And I really believed it could become something long term. My brothers and parents warned me to be careful. But I told them that they were overreacting and that our relationship wouldn’t affect my work. But I was wrong.’ He blew out a breath.

‘It’s okay.’ I rubbed his shoulder. ‘If it’s too much or too painful⁠—’

‘We’d been sent a manuscript by an un-agented author. I knew from the moment I read the first chapter it’d be a huge hit. Pandora wasn’t convinced, but I just knew. I met with the author. Said we wanted to sign her and would have an offer for her the next day. I even gave her some names of trusted agents to contact and said she was welcome to get the offer looked over by a lawyer. She was excited. Ready to sign. I started talking to Calista and other senior management about her. Told my parents. I knew this author had the potential to become as big as E.L. James and the Fifty Shades series. That’s how special this book was.’

A shiver ran down my spine.

I already knew where this story was going.

And I already knew who the author in question was.

But I continued listening.

‘When everyone else read the manuscript, they also got excited and it was then that Pandora began to take more of an interest. I was happy that she was so enthusiastic. I loved that when she came to my place, she’d ask if there were any updates and if the author had signed yet. I told her that I was giving her time to get the contract checked and was due to meet her the following week to seal the deal. But the day before the meeting, there was an announcement that the author had been signed by our biggest competitor’s new Editorial Director. My girlfriend.’

‘Shit.’ I gasped. From my research, I knew the author, Enigma Aura, was published by Sated’s competitor, but I hadn’t realised that was how they’d acquired her. ‘I can’t believe she stole the author from you! Especially when she worked for you and you were in a relationship. That’s horrendous!’

‘They say that all’s fair in love and war. Bidding wars for big authors and books are common. Publishers lose out on books all the time. That’s nothing new. But it’s the way that she did it. She used me. I trusted her with information and she took it to get ahead. That wasn’t even the worst part.’

‘What could be worse than her betrayal?’

‘She tricked me into unlocking my laptop. In my own home. She emailed me something, told me it was urgent, then once I’d put in my password, she pretended to be ill. Said she had period pains and asked if I had any paracetamol. I always kept it in the bathroom cabinet. She knew that. But she’d hidden it. Which meant I spent ages searching because I wanted to help her. Which gave her time to look through my emails for the deal offer and get the author’s contact details. After that she arranged to meet her, then beat the advance Sated had proposed.’

‘That’s despicable!’ I shook my head.

‘Oh, it gets worse. I found out later that one of the reasons the author decided not to sign with Sated was because my ex told her the only way Enigma would be able to make her book a success with us was if she performed sexual favours. For me. Pandora insinuated that I’d coerced her into a relationship. Promising her a promotion if she complied. She spun a whole story about needing to get away from me and that if Enigma signed with our competitor, Pandora would be able to escape too and work for them. And when she did, she’d ensure that Enigma was managed by a female team who would champion her book and keep her safe. Whereas if she signed with Sated, it’d put her career and her wellbeing at risk. She made me out to be some kind of sexual predator.’