Page 206 of Dirty Rival

“Mick and Tabitha aren’t as smart as they think,” Blake says, and I step to Reid’s side and he hands me his coffee.

My eyes meet his and there is this warm intimacy between us in this act that I need right now and always. “What does that mean?” I ask, sipping the coffee before Reid accepts the cup and does the same.

“I listened in on their calls,” Blake says. “They’re doing exactly what Reid and I thought. Trying to get Elijah to go after Reid, so they can get clear. Mick is lying low until he’s certain Tabitha is safe and then he plans to go to Europe to work for a few months.”

“Where does that leave us?” I ask. “I mean, obviously, we can prove all of this to Elijah, but neither of you believes that stops him in his tracks. We need this over.” Kesha jumps on the counter and I hug her. “We need a dog for our cat and a wedding date, not crazy millionaires jumping out at me in the street.”

There’s a knock on the door and Reid glances in my direction. “My father is here. I have no idea why, but security called to tell me.”

I set Kesha down. “This won’t be good. Nothing with him is.”

“He wants us to win this war,” Reid says. “He’s a brutal warrior. That’s the only reason I let him up.” He heads toward the door and Blake’s phone rings.

I turn to watch what’s happening at the door when Blake curses. “Oh, fuck me. Yeah. Got it.”

“Carrie.”

I turn to face him, my heart at my feet, fear in my heart. “Cat’s okay, right? And Gabe?”

“Yes,” he says and slides his phone in front of me to show me a headline that reads, Reid Maxwell, accused of using his now-dead college girlfriend as a shield in a convenience store shooting. Truth or fiction and what does this say about the compass of his company?

I want to throw up.

“Your father did this,” Maxwell Senior growls at me from the door. “He has to be behind this.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Reid demands.

I know my man and this is going to destroy him. This is going to be a hell I climb inside with him and I have to be there for him starting right now. “He didn’t do it,” I say rushing forward with Blake’s phone in my hand.

“Do what?” Reid demands.

“Tell the world about your scandal,” his father says, the veins at his temples bulging. “And paint it in a way to ruin you.” He points at me. “You’re his daughter.”

Reid holds up a hand. “Back off of my woman, father, and either offer a solution or get the fuck out.” Reid doesn’t even ask to see the phone in my hand or for details. I’m sure his mind is conjuring all kinds of possibilities.

“End him,” his father replies, “or maybe you just need your father to do your dirty work. He needs to be gone. I’ll handle it.”

Reid actually grabs his father’s arm and turns him to face him. “Let me be clear with you. You will not do anything. You will leave this alone. I don’t need another one of your bad messes to connect to me and fuck up my life or Carrie’s. Stay out of it.”

“Then handle it,” he says. “And get your damn hands off me.”

Reid doesn’t immediately let him go. He stares him down, tension radiating from him, and only when I touch his arm does he let his hand fall away. His father leaves the apartment and Reid shuts the door. “Let me see it,” he says, and I hand him the phone.

He reads more than the headline, a full minute that feels like a lifetime passing before he rotates to face Blake. “What do I need to know?”

“Gabe knows,” Blake says. “He’s on his way over here. He didn’t want to call you if you didn’t know. And I recommend a press conference. Head this off there.”

“Set-up a press conference for noon. I’m going to shower. I’ll be downstairs in half an hour.” He steps around me and starts walking up the stairs. He doesn’t wait on me, but I start to follow.

“Carrie,” Blake says quietly. I turn to face him and he adds, “If you need to get out of town—”

“No,” I say. “I’m not leaving him.”

I turn and follow Reid up the stairs and he’s already disappearing into the bedroom. I rush ahead and by the time I’m in the bedroom, he’s in the bathroom. I find him stepping into the shower and I don’t even hesitate. I join him. The minute I’m inside, I step to him and wrap my arms around him. He doesn’t touch me, waves of dark energy rushing off of him and onto me.

“Do you want to leave?” he asks. “Because if you do—”

“Never,” I say. “I’m here to fight with you. Always.”