Page 19 of Nothing to No One

“Why don’t you tell the truth?” she asked Magnus, attempting to catch each man’s wrist to stop them wrestling with her in the middle. “Tell the media Roman wasn’t the one at the event.”

“We can’t tell them they were conned. Roman was invited to the event, Struan went as him. This isn’t the first time they’ve done this. The world can’t know that. We can’t have the family secrets getting out. Everyone will second-guess which Lowe brother they have at their event or on their set… And they’ll ask why Roman didn’t show.”

Which would mean admitting Roman was drunk and Struan was saving his ass.

“And I’m sorry for that, but it’s not my problem.”

“While the media are all over you it is. Whichever Lowe brother they think you’re screwing, they have footage that won’t go away. We can protect you if you stay. We can give you security and corral the media. Here, you’ll have everything you need. Out there on your own, you’re exposed, that could be dangerous. And you’ve got to think about your ass too. What will your employer think of you fraternizing with party guests while on duty? If they find out he’s your fiancé and may be interestedin making a donation to the cause… and perhaps making some appearances…”

She didn’t like the sinister thread in his voice. “Are you blackmailing me?”

“No, he’s not,” Struan said, his voice deep and gravelly. “Because if he was, I’d be the first to make him pay for it.”

“We need her help, Struan,” Magnus said. “You know his past; we can’t go through this again. What’s the alternative?”

The men looked at each other. An air of guilt surrounded Struan. Okay, so she couldn’t claim to know anything intimate about Roman’s past or the family secrets, but there was something going on, something simmering not too deep beneath the surface.

“Okay, you guys figure it out. I wish you all the best.”

This time when she got up, her tension was lower, though her heart was a little heavier. Turned out she might’ve found herself a good man, he just wasn’t the one she’d thought.

In their few frames together, Struan was something special. Maybe she could have opened herself to him. Being so comfortable with a man that fast was novel. Rather than explore it, she had to walk away and would never know how it might’ve played out.

“Fawn!” Being closer to the door than last time made no difference, escape still eluded her. Goddamnit. Why couldn’t she get there without someone interrupting? Licking her lips, she turned around just as he jogged up in front of her. “I’m sorry.”

That threw her. “For?”

“Last night,” he said. “I want to get that out first. I should’ve told you who I was. You thought I was Roman and I didn’t correct you. I was attracted to you and I… there’s no excuse, I’m sorry.”

“Okay, thank you,” she said. “I appreciate that. Have a good life.”

He caught her before she could turn, crowding so close that her back hit the door. “This is on me. Roman’s career is on the line because of that video, our video. And I’m not wild about you being out there alone with the paparazzi dogs hounding you. Stay.”

“What?”

“Stay here for a few weeks until this blows over. I know I put you in this position and Roman too.” Nothing about the years of bad behavior that put the other Lowe brother’s coat on a rickety peg? “We’re the ones who did what we did, he doesn’t deserve to be punished for it.”

It shouldn’t have hurt, or shocked her, that he’d be so loyal to family. Actually putting it together though was difficult. He was suggesting…?

“You want me to play his fiancée?” she asked, concealing her hurt.

“I…” He swallowed. “No, I don’t. But this isn’t about what I want. The media have to think he’s serious about you. Your career could suffer for this too, and I don’t want that. So, please, let’s just ride this out for a couple of weeks, maybe a month. I’ll look after you. Nothing will happen that you’re not comfortable with.”

“I’m not comfortable with this.”

“Okay, then help me out,” he said, raising his arms in a loose shrug. “How do we fix this? Are you going to face the paps alone? They’re vicious.” She remembered. That morning, she might not have made it out alive if it hadn’t been for Magnus and the security guys. “And Brooker will know about this now.”

“You remember who I work for?”

His frown was confused. “Why wouldn’t I remember? You told me last night.” He had been listening. Oh, sigh. Knowing that didn’t make the situation any easier. “Won’t you let me look after you?”

“By telling the world I’ll marry your brother?”

“He won’t touch you, I promise.”

Bobbing her head, she moistened her lips and put a hand on his chest to ease him back. “Okay, but it’s sad.”

“Why sad?”

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