Page 72 of Undeniable Temptation

“I did, two seconds before I connected the call. And if this blogger is to be trusted, the information would’ve been shared minutes ago, after the last news update.”

Leah closed her eyes. Judging by the phone calls taking over the bus, the manipulator hadn’t lied.

“After all these years in my employment, I hate having to ask you this, but…” He paused and she knew exactly what would come next, the disappointment, the questioning. “Have you crossed a line? Is there something I should be worried about?”

Images from last night flooded her. Ryan’s cock in her mouth, his tongue on her breast, his fingers in her pussy. “I don’t know why Julie would involve me, but she’s been stalling with the divorce. It could be some sort of power play.”

“Band drama is inevitable, Leah. We both know that. I do, however, get antsy when my managers hit headlines. It’s not the look I want for my company.”

“Give me half an hour to see what we’re up against—”

“I will. But if this is trouble, you need to shut it down. You’re supposed to blend into the shadows. And if you can’t do that, maybe it’s time to take a vacation. Recharge and let someone else take over for a bit.”

“You don’t even know what she’s said.”

“No, I only know you took your first emergency leave a few months back because of something Ryan did.”

A kiss.That kiss.

“Bruce, I disclosed all the information about that situation with you. You know I wasn’t to blame. You trusted my judgment and the promise it would never happen again.” Only it had, and now her argument was killing any chance she had to renegotiate her contract. “I took a break when I needed it back then. You need to continue to trust that I know what I’m doing.” Even when she didn’t trust herself.

“I trust you. I just don’t like hearing about more drama from your camp. It’s not like you to drop one ball, let alone two.”

“I haven’t dropped anything,” she grated. “Let see what the mess is and I’ll call you back.”

She waited for his muttered agreement before she disconnected the call and rushed to her bag to retrieve her earphones. Ryan was still talking. Mason, too. Both conversations heated and angry.

As she returned to the booth, she navigated to her emails, found the link, and turned up the volume.

“Welcome listeners. Tonight we have Julie Bennett joining us from the comfort of her Manhattan apartment. Good evening, Julie.”

Leah scanned forward, bypassing the introductions as she slumped in her seat.

“—been married to Ryan for how long now?”the announcer asked.

“We started dating in school and married a few years after graduation. I was with him before Reckless was born and stayed with him throughout the trials and scandals.”

“But Ryan’s the charmer of the group, right? How many trials and scandals could there have been?”

Leah held her breath. Held it tight until her chest hammered with impending collapse.

“None that were publicized. But there were many behind the scenes. I was constantly fighting with him over his relationship with his band manager. That woman has been trying to sink her claws into Ryan for years.”

The hostaged breath escaped, all of it, every last ounce to leave her completely hollow.

“You’re talking about Leah Gorman?”

“Yes. She was a plague on our marriage and I suspect she’ll continue to do the same for Ryan moving forward.”

Leah cradled her head in her hand as the diatribe filtered into her ears. So much for begging Bruce for a change in her contract. So much for tying loose ends in an effort to gain peace with Ryan. So much for turning daydreams into reality. His ex had just placed months, if not years between Leah and a happy resolution with the man she loved.

“Leah is a narcissistic, power-hungry viper who will stop at nothing to get what she wants... I’m sure she tried to seduce my husband… She’s a manipulator… She’s the reason for our divorce…”

The words became garbled, each syllable intertwining with the next to increase the static in her head. She paused the podcast, removed the earphones and slid the cell away to wade through the mental carnage.

“You heard?” Ryan’s voice carried from her side.

She nodded.

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