Page 52 of Protégé King

“You aren’t taking my calls or text messages,” he says, and why does he have to smell this good? Why does that earthy, manly scent make me want to forgive him when I don’t even know what I’m forgiving him for?

“I’m filming,” I say.

“You’re upset about the press,” he assumes.

“Yes, I’m upset about the press. And everyone who has something to say about it.”

“Your parents.”

“They both came on set and flipped out.”

He steps closer. I step backward. “Alana,” he says softly, compelling me to come closer.

“I understand you’re the king of getting well-timed press that helps close deals,” I blurt, unable to keep the accusation out of my voice.

He holds up a hand. “You think I called the press?” he states. “Really, Alana?”

“I’m asking. Did you?”

“No. I wouldn’t do that to you.”

“They never showed up until you were with me, and you needed to be connected to me to win over Mary.”

His energy shifts, darkens. His jaw tightens, his voice with it. “You agreed to do it.”

“You might not have known that when you called the press.”

“I told you, I didn’t do it.” His voice is low but anger crackles in its depths.

“I know.”

“You don’t believe me,” he says, and it’s not a question. He’s not big on questions right now.

“I don’t know what to believe. I never understand what is going on with us.”

“Apparently, I’m using you to close a hundred-million-dollar deal.” He turns for the door.

My heart jumps in my chest. “Damion,” I say, still angry and confused, but I don’t want him to leave. “Wait.”

He rotates back to me. “I’m going to pay off your debt and get my family out of your family’s life for good this time. And you need to know that I think my father called the press to make it look like I was fucking you and distracted and incapable of doing my job. He’ll probably leak information about your father. You should also tell your own father to go fuck himself.”

“Your father did this? Are you sure?”

“No, but I’d bet my entire bank account on it.”

“I thought—”

“I know what you thought, which pisses off. I came back for you, Alana.”

“You came back to be king,” I say, my real feelings coming out now.

“Really, Alana? That’s what you think?”

“What am I supposed to think? All you said you wanted from me was a business favor that helps you reach that goal and for me to take my clothes off. Never once did you say anything was more than that.”

“Of course, it was more than that. We’re us, Alana. And we both know what that means.”

“I just told you, I don’t know what that means. I have never known what that means. I don’t know if I even know you anymore.”