Page 82 of Playboy Billionaire

“I’ve discussed everything with Emily, a very painful but revelatory conversation. It wasn’t her. She doesn’t know anything about the photographs. I believe her. Ben is completely off the hook. As a matter of fact, he had flown home on the weekend in question. He’s completely in the clear. He doesn’t even know about our past.”

“If Emily can keep the fact that she’s always known about us a secret from you, what makes you think she isn’t lying about this?”

“I just know. She worked too hard to bury it. She’s a bitter and unhappy woman, but not for the reasons you may think. All she’s ever cared about was keeping the family intact. Emotionally, she didn’t even care about the affair, she just didn’t want to be publicly humiliated.”

“What about her objections to you running for president?”

“I told you before, for her it’s always been about things, lifestyle, status, prestige…that means everything to her. Though she says she doesn’t want to live in the fishbowl as First lady, part of her relishes the idea. It will give her another thing to blame me for, but the status will be intoxicating to her. Her false accusations that she’s squandered her life for me, my career, ring false.”

“So, you’re ruling her out because of her ambitions?”

“That and the fact that she didn’t even know where the original photographs came from. She didn’t take them herself, nor did she hire anyone to spy on me. She received them anonymously. Up until that point, she had suspicions that I was having an affair, but was clueless about us until she received the photographs. She never cared as long as I was discreet. The pictures changed that. I suspect that the same person that sent them to her all those years ago, may now have sent them to us. Any ideas of who that might be?”

“None. It happened before I had any name recognition. So not a crazed fan.”

“How about any of the men you worked for back then…um…dated.”

“No. I quit right after I met you…months before your wife confronted me. The guy, Jack, who got fired from this film, has an alibi for the weekend the magazine showed up and was back in LA when the photographs were delivered. Plus, how would he have gotten ahold of them in the first place? He seemed a likely suspect for the tabloid, but not this.” She blew out a breath. “I just don’t know.”

“All I can tell you is that we’re working on it. My people will be in touch to get the names of your clients from that time. The more you cooperate the better chance we have. I’m not saying it has anything to do with you. We haven’t ruled out that it’s a political hit job, but we have to look into every possibility.”

Penelope’s voice was thick with unshed tears, “I understand, but I don’t want anyone else hurt by my past.”

“They will be discreet. I promise.”

“I’ll get the list together…as much as I can recall.”

“That’s all I can ask. I see the tabloids have you linked with your new co-star.”

“Don’t believe everything you read,” she said, her tone acerbic.

“I just want you to be happy. You deserve that Penelope.”

“Do I? I’m not so sure about that. Besides, I have a successful career, freedom from financial fears, I have more than most people.”

“But you’ve always lived from your heart. I hope you find your happily ever after, Penny.”

“Thanks, but right now I’m not looking. Let’s just concentrate on finding out who is threatening us.”

“I intend to. Nothing is going to stand in the way of me getting what I’ve put my entire life into accomplishing. And nobody threatens you and gets away with it. Not if I have anything to say about it.”

Penelope’s lips twisted at the irony of her first love, who’d smashed her heart, now gallantly proclaiming he’d protect her unfailingly.

“Should I call you with the list?”

“Yes, get back with me as soon as possible.”

“Will do. Goodbye Graham.”

“Goodbye Penny.”

38

Griffin looked around the ballroom of the Butler, where the wrap party was currently in full swing. The filming had ended ahead of schedule. Pretty impressive. It was possible that they’d have to reshoot or add some scenes later, but it was early November and for all practical purposes his part was done until the time came to promote the film. Now the project would go into post-production for a projected late spring release. He smiled looking around at the people celebrating. He couldn’t believe it was over. Time had flown by. He’d met some great people and picked up a few friends along the way. He was sad to see it coming to an end.

Where was Penelope? Since she’d dropped the bomb, she’d completely ghosted him. He couldn’t penetrate her armor. Confusion didn’t even come close to describing how he felt right now. He was angry that Penelope could so easily toss out their relationship and frustrated that she refused to talk to him outside of work. In fact, it was as if it was all his fault.

Talk about feeling powerless. Had he reacted? Hell yeah, he had. It had taken him a minute. So what? It had been a lot to take in. But contrary to what she assumed, he didn’t feel the least bit turned off or judgmental. He just felt ill-equipped. He’d been happily skimming along the surface his whole life. This was like jumping into the deep end without swim lessons or a life jacket.

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