Page 95 of Only Ever You

I pull up Jacob’s contact on my phone and dial. He answers almost immediately.

“Hey, Jacob. It’s Deacon Miller.”

“Deacon? Holy shit.” He lets out a nervous laugh. “I’m surprised to hear from you. Is everything okay?”

I open my mouth before closing it again. Of course he doesn’t know the story behind me leaving, but he will know I left Pippa behind.

“Not really, but I plan on making everything right. And I need your help.”

“Anything. Just name it.”

I suck in a sharp breath. “Have you offered Adeline Walsh a contract?”

He pauses. “Not yet. We’re still talking. Do you have an objection to me working with her?”

“She hurt Pippa.” I close my eyes. “I mean, I know I hurt Pippa, but I’m doing what I can to make amends and get her back. But Adeline purposefully sent Pippa a photo that she knew would hurt her while Pippa was already down over what I did … Hell, I’m not explaining this well.”

“I get the gist. What was this photo?”

“Nothing terrible. I was messed up, ran off to Europe, and ended up in a nightclub. Adeline found me. She sat next to me. She took a selfie of us together before I even realised it was her. I told her to fuck off, and what would happen if she used that photo to hurt Pippa …”

He sighs. “Nasty. I’ve been told she’s a bit of a diva, but I thought that wouldn’t matter. She’s been a part of some really successful campaigns for you. But I won’t sign her if she’s okay with hurting Pippa.”

I let out a sigh of relief.

“I’m not doing this as a favour to you, Deacon. I like Pippa. She deserves better than what you did to her too.”

Scrubbing my face with my free hand, I nod to myself. “I know. I’ll be doing everything I can to make it up to her.”

“That’s a pretty big ask.”

“I’ll tell you the whole story some time.”

He snorts. “You do that. In the meantime, give Pippa my regards. Garrett told me she quit. But if she ever wants a job, there’s one for her with me.”

“Over my dead body,” I growl.

Jacob chuckles. “That’s more like the Deacon I know and love.”

“Thanks, Jacob.”

“No problem. Now, go get your girl.”

When I end the call, I smile to myself. Adeline won’t know what hit her. I don’t care what it takes.

And this is just the start.

There’s one more call to make—one to the lady herself. I want her to know I’m behind this. I want her to know I’m happy to inflict pain on her for hurting my girl.

My phone buzzes with an incoming text. Garrett. A smile crosses my lips when Adeline’s contact pops up.

She’s going to wish she never crossed me.

After dialling her number, I tap my finger on my thigh as I wait for her to answer.

“Adeline Walsh.” She answers the phone so bright and breezy, and I smirk thinking about the message I’m about to deliver.

“Adeline, it’s Deacon Miller.”

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