Page 35 of Key Change

He gave a bitter laugh. “The lynch pin of my entire career. It’s all built on a lie, and I have no idea how he found out.”

“I heard you play… That’s not a lie.”

Cillian snorted and ate his ice cream until it was level with the cone and less likely to drip over his hand.

“The ice cream might work if you licked it and took your time instead of chomping through it like you hate it.”

“That’s your concern?” He snapped. “Everything I worked for is in jeopardy?—”

“What did you do? What is so bad that Hayden could destroy you?” He couldn’t imagine Cillian doing anything worse than returning a library book late. “Have you ever had a speeding ticket?”

“Yes, driving home one time. That big empty road, and one bored cop with a speed gun.”

Anthony laughed. “Only the one?”

“Yeah.” Cillian stared at his ice cream and gave it a lick. “I was just out of uni and working with a mentor. He was so enthusiastic about my work… When he wanted to suck my dick,I didn’t say no. Things went further between us, and I met the right people.”

“You didn’t want to say no or couldn’t?” His words hung in the night air.

Cillian shook his head. “Don’t go there. Please.”

“Right.” That was all Anthony needed to know, that it wasn’t as simple as two guys hooking up. “I still don’t see how that connects to Hayden.”

“Six months later, I entered a prestigious competition and won. My mentor, ex-mentor by that time, was a judge.”

“Oh.” That was a conflict of interest, but it was worse for the mentor.

“That win got me my agent. Without my agent, I wouldn’t be where I am.”

This time Anthony was silent as he saw the way everything stacked on that one performance. Cillian sighed and rubbed his face. “So, there you have it. I’m a fraud, your brother knows and will tell everyone if I don’t obey.”

“I want to make a joke about knowing a man who can make problems go away.”

Cillian sniffed and laughed. “But it’s not a joke?”

Anthony grimaced. “I know more than one.” He put his arm around Cillian and moved closer. So it turned out Cillian did want something from him… He wanted his help. Not connections or money or any of the things Margot feared.

Memories of the party rolled through his mind, followed by every interaction they’d shared. He wanted to believe that Cillian hadn’t slept with him to bring him closer, but why tell him now, after what had been a lovely evening?

Cillian leaned against him. “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to be sorry. It will look far worse for your mentor than you.” Especially given the power imbalance in theaffair and Cillian’s refusal to examine whether he’d been willing or coerced.

“But everyone will think I fucked my way to the top.”

Some people might paint it that way. Hayden would. “You were young, and he had the power. He used you.”

“Can you not?”

Anthony pressed his lips together. “Okay. You had an affair with a well-connected man who helped further your career. I’m sure there are plenty who are very jealous you got that chance.”

Cillian’s voice was little more than a whisper. “It was all very secretive. He didn’t want people to find out.”

“I can imagine,” Anthony said dryly. He’d always hated people who abused the power they had over others. “Have you considered telling your mentor that you’re being threatened with exposure? He might take steps?—”

“He’s dead. Two years ago. I hoped people might speak up. What if it was just me?”

“Then he was enamored with you and your talent and wanted you to succeed.”

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