Page 115 of Bae

I looked at Romeo, then pointedly at her.

He sighed, dropping an arm around her shoulders. “C’mon, princess, tell me what’s going on.”

“I’m so sorry,” she told him, her voice calming as he led her farther into the room.

“Don’t be sorry. It’s not the first time someone’s knocked urgently on our hotel room door.”

She shook her head. “Not for that, for what I have to tell you.”

Drew and Trent came in the room, shutting the door behind them.

“Ivy, what’s wrong?” Drew asked, his eyes going right to her.

Nova was fussing around in Braeden’s arms, wanting down. There were a few toys still in here from the day before. Braeden sat her down with them, and we all turned to look at Ivy.

She gave me a regretful look, then turned her eyes to her phone. “After Nova ate this morning, she was playing and watching cartoons, so I was going through my email—you know, checking to see what I missed while I was here and what needed my attention when we got home.”

Romeo shifted, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Blondie, the point.” Braeden tried to hurry her along.

She nodded and looked at me. “Remember how I said I wished there was something I could to do help with the press stalking you?”

I nodded.

“When I went to New York and had those meetings atPeopleheadquarters, I nosed around, talked to some of the staff… put out some feelers to see if anyone knew who it was that was offering such an insane amount of money for any big story on you.”

I didn’t like the way this was sounding.

“And?” Romeo asked.

“No one knew anything. Of course they heard about the pay, and they always had their contacts looking for stories, too.”

“Ivy,” Romeo growled.

“I’m getting to it!” she snapped. “Well, apparently, some of the people there kept digging around. And they found something. It’s all right here in this email.”

“What does it say?” I asked, my stomach twisting.

“It’s not good, Rimmel.” She actually looked like she might cry, which made me incredibly nervous. “They finally found someone who was willing to give up a story on you.”

“Who?” I frowned.Please don’t let it be my father.

“There’s an exclusive story that’s going to be a huge headline. It’s actually being shopped around right now… The bidding is insane.”

The room was silent; everyone was holding their breath for this latest bombshell.

“It’s Jonathan Kane,” she whispered.

I gasped. All the blood drained from my head. A slight buzzing sound was all I heard. I stared at her without really seeing… memories coming at me full force… terrible, shameful memories I’d worked really hard to put away.

Strong arms came around me. I gave them all my weight as I fought against the feelings and emotions swirling inside me.

“Who the fuck is Jonathan Kane?” Romeo roared.

I forced my eyes up. It took a moment to focus on his face. “It’s him,” I whispered. “The guy who took my virginity.”When I was only thirteen years old.

Oh my God, everyone will know.

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