Playboy's Secret Wife novel · Chapter 8 of 24

Chapter 8: Headlines

"I'll have the PR team issue a statement by nine," Lucas said.

He was already half dressed, with his phone in one hand and a shirt in the other.

"No," I said.

He stopped.

"You don't want a statement?"

"I want a different statement."

"Callie, they'll be outside the building in an hour."

"Then I'll go out and meet them."

"Not like this."

I sat up in his bed with the sheet around me.

I was calmer than I had any right to be.

"Three days ago a stranger filmed me getting dumped, and the whole internet had its say," I said.

"Today a stranger took a photo of me drunk, and they're having it again."

"I'm not going to hide in your penthouse while a press office writes my words."

"I'm going to say them myself."

"To whom?"

"To the person who sold that photo."

Lucas looked at me for a moment.

"Chad."

"It's a photo from a casino camera angle, sent to the same tabloid that filed a story before I'd even checked out of the hotel."

"Who benefits?"

"I'm a claims adjuster."

"Finding out who benefits is the only thing I know how to do."

He put the shirt down.

"I'll come with you."

"No."

"Callie."

"If you walk in beside me, it's your wife and your rescue."

"If I walk in alone, it's my face and my voice."

"I need this one."

He was silent for a second.

Then something in his eyes warmed, slow and proud, and he stepped back.

"Forty-first floor," he said.

"Chad's office is at the end of the hall."

"Take the private elevator."

"I'll take the public one," I said.

Hargrove Capital's lobby was all marble and white orchids.

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