Page 63 of Dirty Big Sins

“I’ll be right by your side the entire time. We’re in this together now and I’m not going to let some vulture pick you apart on my watch.”

She smiled up at me. “You’re going to be my big, bad protector.”

I gave her a look. “I’m definitely going to be your big bad something, but I don’t think protector is the right word you’re looking for.”

Her laughter rang strong and I soaked it in like the greedy man I was. She could make light of it now, but we’d see how she felt later when I showed her exactly what I meant.

A moment later she sobered and I was sorry to see that fleeting happiness disappear from her face only to be replaced with worry and fear once again.

“We should probably go.” She didn’t look like she wanted to go anywhere, but if Sybil thought this was for the best, then I’d go along with it. Over the years she’d successfully turned around every potential negative into a narrative we could work with. As hard as it might be, I needed to trust her in this situation as well. We all wanted the same outcome and Zia deserved everything in my power to right her ship.

I nodded, sweeping my hand toward the door so she could precede me. Which by the way gave me the sweetest view of her ass as she walked out of the suite and into the elevator. It took every ounce of willpower I possessed to keep my hands to myself when I wanted nothing more than to touch her. I’d explained to Sybil that there would be limited time for them to get what they needed before I whisked her away to somewhere private.

If they thought we’d be on public display all night, they were sadly mistaken.

The elevator doors whooshed open on the first floor and we joined hands to enter the casino floor. And got about ten feet before the press descended on us. Fortunately security swooped in as well and made a mini barricade around us as we moved through the throng toward the large conference room that my publicist had arranged to be set up for this press conference.

“Zia! Was your divorce final before those pictures were taken?”

My head whipped around to see which reporter had started in with that fucking question. He was asking for trouble. However, there were so many shouting it was hard to tell which one I’d have to take down.

Fucker.

“Vincent! When did you and Zia meet?” That one was a little better, but still going to be tricky.

“Zia! Did you know that pictures were being taken of you during sex? Was it consensual?”

Her fingers tightened around mine at that one. My blood was beginning to boil and while I’d known this was going to be rough, I had expected a certain amount of decorum.

We were getting close to the conference room where Sybil would be waiting to take charge. It was her job to be the bad guy in this melee, but if someone didn’t do something soon, I feared I would explode.

At the press room door, we were ushered into a small waiting area where not only Sybil waited, but Gabe as well. Along with more security.

“Don’t you dare answer those bullshit questions,” Sybil seethed through her tight lips. She looked as pissed as I felt. “Those idiots were out there for a reason. Because of their inability to play fair, they were not invited in.”

I nodded, in no mood to chit chat.

“I will go out first and read a statement we’ve prepared, then you will come in for pictures and a handful of questions that I preapproved with a few friendly news affiliates. Got it?”

“Yes,” Zia said.

“Yeah.”

Gabe followed Sybil onto the stage along with the security team, leaving only one man behind with us in this secluded room.

“It’s going to be okay. We knew they were going to attack. Just keep the script in mind as well as the fact that you have thousands of people expressing love and support online. Those are your true fans and the only ones that really count right now.”

“Did you see what Nova did?”

I shook my head, momentarily confused until I placed the name. “The designer, right? She was at Club Berserker with you?”

“Yes. She reposted our photo and thanks to that and her fans, more support for us has spread like wildfire. I could hardly believe it. I owe her big time.”

“I’m not surprised. Anyone with half a brain is going to figure out that just because we had sex, doesn’t mean you deserve to burn in hell fire for your sins.”

“If only it were that simple.”

“It is. Seriously. We’re consenting single adults. We didn’t do anything illegal or immoral.”

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