Serial Novel: Falling in Public, Ch. 23
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Falling in Public
Chapter 23
Holly nibbled at her bottom lip. There wasn't a choice, really - not right now at least. She couldn't just let them blow Eddie up, and there was no way to know if Ellison was bluffing or not.
Considering she'd been shot in the leg by real bullets, she wasn't willing to risk Eddie's life on the gamble. But once her leg healed, and she had some freedom back...
"I won't sleep with him," she said, needing to make that clear up front. "And I want to know exactly what kind of affectionate displays you expect from me right from the start. I don't suppose you'd be willing to draw up a contract?"
Ellison laughed. "So you could sue us later?" He shook his head. "Smart girl, but no. Our deal is strictly under the table, and you will do whatever you need to in order to make your relationship with Sean look convincing. Or else." He got his phone from his pocket and stared at the screen for a moment, then tapped out a message.
"That was our PR girl. She has the press release ready and I don't think we can wait much longer." He shot her a pointed look. "So what's it going to be, Ms. Saunders? The old boyfriend or a shiny new one?"
"What press release?" Holly frowned. "I'll agree to your plan, Ellison, but only because you leave me no choice. What makes you think I won't run off the first chance I get though?"
He smiled. "Well, there's Steve, for one thing. Your bodyguard will be with you night and day, to insure your...continued cooperation. And if you're gone for more than four hours at any one time, we'll detonate the bomb. So it really is in your best interests to play by our rules." He tapped at his phone again, the put it back in his pocket. "The press release will go out to all media outlets immediately to let the police know you are no longer missing, but that you've been injured in a car accident and are currently under the care of your secret lover, Sean Winston. As soon as you're able, we'll need to hold a Q and A session for you and Sean to go public with the romantic story of how he stole you from Pierce."
The man looked almost giddy, and Holly fought the urge to roll her eyes. There was something else going on here, she'd swear to it. No way could a mere rivalry between stars make that big of an impact on sales. She'd get to the bottom of it before she left, no matter what. Sean Winston and all of his cohorts could just go to hell for all she cared. And she'd be happy to send them there.
There was another knock at the door, and Ellison opened it. Three people came in carrying photography equipment, and started setting up around her bed. Pulling the covers up higher, Holly glared at Ellison.
"What the hell is all this?"
Ch.1|Ch. 2|Ch. 3|Ch. 4|Ch. 5|Ch. 6|Ch. 7|Ch. 8|Ch. 9|Ch. 10|Ch. 11|Ch. 12|Ch.13|Ch. 14|Ch. 15|
Ch. 16| Ch. 17|Ch. 18| Ch. 19 | Ch. 20 | Ch. 21 | Ch. 22
Falling in Public
Chapter 23
Holly nibbled at her bottom lip. There wasn't a choice, really - not right now at least. She couldn't just let them blow Eddie up, and there was no way to know if Ellison was bluffing or not.
Considering she'd been shot in the leg by real bullets, she wasn't willing to risk Eddie's life on the gamble. But once her leg healed, and she had some freedom back...
"I won't sleep with him," she said, needing to make that clear up front. "And I want to know exactly what kind of affectionate displays you expect from me right from the start. I don't suppose you'd be willing to draw up a contract?"
Ellison laughed. "So you could sue us later?" He shook his head. "Smart girl, but no. Our deal is strictly under the table, and you will do whatever you need to in order to make your relationship with Sean look convincing. Or else." He got his phone from his pocket and stared at the screen for a moment, then tapped out a message.
"That was our PR girl. She has the press release ready and I don't think we can wait much longer." He shot her a pointed look. "So what's it going to be, Ms. Saunders? The old boyfriend or a shiny new one?"
"What press release?" Holly frowned. "I'll agree to your plan, Ellison, but only because you leave me no choice. What makes you think I won't run off the first chance I get though?"
He smiled. "Well, there's Steve, for one thing. Your bodyguard will be with you night and day, to insure your...continued cooperation. And if you're gone for more than four hours at any one time, we'll detonate the bomb. So it really is in your best interests to play by our rules." He tapped at his phone again, the put it back in his pocket. "The press release will go out to all media outlets immediately to let the police know you are no longer missing, but that you've been injured in a car accident and are currently under the care of your secret lover, Sean Winston. As soon as you're able, we'll need to hold a Q and A session for you and Sean to go public with the romantic story of how he stole you from Pierce."
The man looked almost giddy, and Holly fought the urge to roll her eyes. There was something else going on here, she'd swear to it. No way could a mere rivalry between stars make that big of an impact on sales. She'd get to the bottom of it before she left, no matter what. Sean Winston and all of his cohorts could just go to hell for all she cared. And she'd be happy to send them there.
There was another knock at the door, and Ellison opened it. Three people came in carrying photography equipment, and started setting up around her bed. Pulling the covers up higher, Holly glared at Ellison.
"What the hell is all this?"
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