Love Hard

by Nalini Singh

  Juliet’s eyes burned. And she’d been feeling so lonely and alone before Jake called her last night. Here was her tribe. Here was her family.

  The next message in her queue was from a surprising source: Molly. While she and the other woman had gotten along great, they hadn’t known each other long enough to become friends. Then she remembered that Molly had been through a horrific media onslaught herself. She was probably messaging to commiserate.

  But when she read the text, it said: Jake let us know what was happening. You’ll be getting a call from this number. What followed was an American number and the words: Pick up.

  She checked, saw that she didn’t have a missed call from that number, but even as she was about to message Molly to ask what she’d meant, her phone lit up with the American number.

  “Hello,” she said, unsure what was going on.

  “Juliet,” said a confident female voice. “This is Thea Arsana. Molly’s sister.”

  “Um, hi?”

  “I’m a publicist. And sweetheart, you need a publicist.”

  Juliet’s eyes widened as she finally clued in to the woman’s name. Thea repped Fox’s megamillion-dollar rock band. “I can’t afford—”

  “As if I’d charge you,” Thea said in a tone that brooked no argument. “You’re one of Molly’s friends. Also, your ex is a dickhead. I have a hard-on for exes who are dickheads.”

  Head spinning, Juliet rubbed her forehead. “I don’t need a publicist. It’ll blow over.”

  A small pause before Thea said, “Have you seen the video his girlfriend gifted the media last night?”

  When Juliet said no, Thea said, “I’m going to send you a link. Watch, then call me back.”

  Juliet did exactly as directed—she had a feeling not many people told Thea no. What she saw on the screen had her stomach roiling and anger knotting her gut. Lisa Swan, the woman who’d slept with Juliet’s then-husband, had called Juliet a home-wrecker and a gold digger who wouldn’t “remove her claws” from Reid.

  But Lisa hadn’t stopped with shredding Juliet’s character, she’d intimated that Juliet had only gotten the job with Everett because of sexual favors. Worst of all, she’d sniped about how Juliet had managed to “worm” her way into the “wealthy and connected” Bishop-Esera family through her friendship with Charlotte.

  “She’s probably planning to hook one of the men.” Lisa had curled her lip. “Since she’s not too particular about if they’re married or not, the Bishop-Esera wives better watch their men.”

  20

  Do Not Mess with Juliet Nelisi

  Calling Thea back on a wave of pure, blinding rage, Juliet fought to keep her voice even. “She is a lying disgrace to women everywhere!”

  “I know that, sweetie. Did you notice how careful Ms. I’m So Overwrought was not to use any words the station would have to bleep out?”

  “I didn’t even notice that, I was so focused on not smashing my phone screen,” Juliet admitted. “Reid slept with Lisa while we were still married. I never made it public.” Though she’d been glad to be out of that toxic marriage, she’d felt humiliated nonetheless. Hard to feel any other way when she’d walked in on the two in her and Reid’s marital bed.

  Dickish move number two zillion.

  Thea whistled. “Talk about pot and kettle—but we’re not going to go down the road of exposing her. It’ll just add fuel to the fire, and you know she’ll lie her face off.”

  Juliet nodded, though Thea couldn’t see her. “I’ve got no desire to rake up that muck either. It’s in the past—where I wish Reid and Lisa would stay.”

  “I’ve put out some feelers,” Thea said. “There’s a reason they’ve orchestrated this media storm, and we’re going to find out why.”

  Juliet squeezed, then flexed her free hand. “I’ve been trying to stay out of the spotlight. I want to have a normal life.”

  “Here’s the thing,” Thea responded in her crisp LA accent. “Right now they’re writing the script. You can’t win unless you take control. I can tell you how to douse the flames, but it’ll mean a public appearance and statement.”

  Shoving off her blanket, Juliet strode to the windows that overlooked the water. “There’s no other option?”

  “There are always other options—but the easiest way to stop this is to be blunt and up-front and brutal in a way they won’t expect. Don’t play their games and don’t hide—it’ll make you look guilty when you have nothing to be guilty about.” A short pause. “Right, I just looked up your boss. He’s a dish. He also has a very muted online presence for someone with his level of success. Are you sleeping with him or have you ever slept with him?”

  Juliet blinked, the insult burning her cheeks… until she realized this had nothing to do with insults. Thea just wanted to know what she was working with. “He’s gay,” she said. “He’s also in a long-term relationship.” Her stomach twisted again. “God, I hope his partner doesn’t take Lisa’s allegations seriously.”

  “Is he out?”

  “Yes.”

  Everett was a private man, but he was open about his sexuality if the question came up—which it mostly did when women who didn’t know hit on him. As Thea had pointed out, he was a dish. Kalia had been one of those enamored women, but the photographer had taken his gentle rebuff with cheerful grace and was now friends with both Everett and Rufus.

  Clearly, the lazy-ass gossip columnist who’d done the initial upload had simply assumed Lisa’s sexual allegation was a viable possibility.

  “Why do you ask?” she said to Thea.

  “Not our place to out someone who isn’t.” Thea sounded like she was tapping a pen on her desk. “What are the chances he’d let you use his name in a statement or make a statement of his own?”

  Confused and overwhelmed, Juliet said, “Can I have a few minutes to brush my teeth and grab a cup of coffee?”

  “Take the time you need, but remember, the faster we handle this, the faster it ends.”

  “I won’t be long,” Juliet said before hanging up and heading into the bathroom.

  It wasn’t until she had the coffee going that she called Jake. “Why did you sic Thea on me?” It had to have been Jake who’d contacted Molly and set things in motion.

  “Because you need a barracuda, and Thea’s a friendly barracuda.” His voice was a little sleep-rough.

  “How do you know?” she said, exasperated. “You just met Fox and Molly before the wedding.”

  “I’m a fan of the band.”

  “Oh.” That wasn’t so much of a surprise—he’d messed with her about the heavy metal, but he’d always blasted hard rock in his car.

  “I’ve seen her on camera dealing with things over the years. I could tell no one messes with her.”

  Juliet bad-temperedly poured a mug of coffee. “So you took it upon yourself to organize my life?”

  “I saw that recording late last night and I knew you’d be drowning by morning,” he said, unrepentant. “I threw you a life raft. Whether you take it or not is up to you.”

  It was annoying because he was right. He’d found her the help she needed, but he wasn’t forcing her to do anything about it. “I suppose you expect thanks.”

  “What I expect are a few moments of peace before my daughter wakes up. Go away and let me drink my goddamn coffee.”

  He sounded so grumpy that she grinned. Looked like Jake wasn’t a morning person. She grinned even harder when he hung up on her. Only he called back almost at once.

  Answering, she said, “Yes, sunshine?”

  “I forgot to tell you,” he grumbled, “but I did a bit of ringing around last night. A few media contacts I trust. Not the gossip people, but serious journalists like Rachel—she was my wedding date and she’s a good friend.”

  “What did you find out?”

  “Reid and Lisa have been pitching a reality show to the networks. No one was interested because he’s not even a D-list celebrity at this point. He’s a drunk who’s one failed se
lection away from total obscurity. Not much drama in that.”

  Rage was a scorching wind through Juliet. “I’m going to crush that little pinhead,” she said with open fury. “After that, I’m going to come over and kiss you.”

  A grumpy “Don’t come in the morning” before he hung up again.

  Juliet immediately called Thea and passed on what Jake had dug up.

  “Let me confirm that,” Thea said. “Since one of the Bishop-Eseras is calling you, we don’t have to put out a fire there, right?”

  Charlotte’s message had come late last night, after the recording had hit the gossip sites, and Jake had just told her he’d seen it. His response had been to connect her with Thea.

  “Yes,” she said, her throat rough. “They’re backing me.” A strange, beautiful thing.

  “Good,” said Thea. “While I check on the reality-show situation, your job is to talk to Everett, find out if he’s okay with you using his name and referring to his sexuality. If not, we’ll figure out another way.”

  Not only was her boss more than fine with her using his name and mentioning his long-term relationship, he was in a real temper. “Good thing Rufus knows I’ve never been attracted to women—and that I’m devoted to him. He rolled his eyes when we saw the video, kissed me, and told me not to waste my anger on that woman.”

  Everett clearly hadn’t taken the advice, because he continued with, “But what if I were bi? Or our relationship newer? That bit of orchestrated drama could’ve hurt him.” His voice was colder than she’d ever heard it. “If you need us to release a statement, we’d be happy to do so.”

  “I’ll take care of Lisa and Reid,” Juliet said, even more furious now—Everett was a kind and private man, and Lisa had hauled him into this with no regard to the damage she might do. “In fact, I will more than take care of them.”

  “I wouldn’t bet against you, Jules. Go crush them. Oh, and Rufus says you should use his name too—I’m proud he’s mine and he’s equally proud that I’m his. I don’t want anyone else pulling this shit.”

  Hanging up, she got herself dressed for the day, though she wasn’t looking forward to driving into the knot of reporters who were no doubt clustered outside Everett’s design studio and linked offices.

  It was a stroke of luck that she always laundered, then put her favorite sleeveless dark green dress back in the overnight bag after wearing it. Tailored to shape around her body, it was made up of triangular panels. The first panel came over her breasts with the point on her hip. The second panel went in the opposite direction to end just above the knee. The third panel filled in the remaining space.

  It sounded so simple, but thanks to design magic melded with a gorgeous fabric that didn’t wrinkle, it made her look spectacular in a way that said she took no prisoners. Especially after she paired the dress with a pair of black stilettos boasting four-inch heels. Her hair she brushed into a sleek fall. She kept her makeup simple except for a pop of deep red on her lips.

  She was a fucking vice president.

  She was not the love-hungry young girl Reid had charmed into marriage.

  She was also a woman who had a hell of a lot of friends. Real, would-back-her-against-all comers and bury-bodies-for-her friends. Friends who now considered Reid an enemy because he was her enemy.

  As for Jake…

  Her heart squeezed so hard that she had to drop that line of thought. It was too powerful, too scary. Because a man who’d fight for and beside her? It was the embodiment of every dream she’d ever had.

  * * *

  She was on the road and stuck in early-morning traffic by the time Thea called back. Putting the other woman through to her hands-free system, she said, “Thea, I’m here.”

  “I confirmed your information.” A very barracuda-like glee in Thea’s coolly dangerous voice. “Now, here’s what you’re going to do.”

  Juliet listened and smiled. Maybe she didn’t want the spotlight, but if Reid and Lisa were determined to push her into it, she was going to use it to burn the two of them to a crisp.

  Thea signed off as Juliet pulled into the parking lot outside the E. E. Designs building. As she’d expected, the media hounds were waiting, no doubt slavering at the prospect of a bloodbath. She’d give them blood all right—but it wasn’t going to be hers.

  Getting out after she’d parked, her sleek work satchel in hand, she smiled at the hovering horde. The questions came thick and fast.

  “Is it true that you and your boss have an intimate relationship?” was the loudest one. “That he promoted you because of it?”

  Juliet allowed her smile to deepen. “Firstly, my job performance review and promotions come under the purview of Chief Operations Officer, Iris Truett. Secondly, the news that we have an intimate relationship has come as somewhat of a surprise to Everett and his partner, Rufus. Ms. Swan might believe I’m hot enough to circumvent sexual orientation, but alas, my wiles have failed miserably.”

  A reporter’s mouth actually fell open in front of her.

  “So,” another one pushed on, “No basis in fact?”

  “Everett and Rufus hosted both their families for a big dinner this weekend. It’s not like they need me for a beard.”

  More than one reporter laughed. A couple, however, including the one who’d taped the interview with Lisa, were determined to take her down. “The allegations of cheating are more serious,” she said sanctimoniously. “Especially as Lisa is pregnant.”

  Yeah, right. “It’s come to my attention that Mr. Mescall and Ms. Swan have been pushing for a reality show titled Superstar Love.” It was Thea who’d unearthed that choice nugget; Juliet would’ve thrown up at hearing it if she hadn’t been laughing so hard. “Unfortunately for them, no one has been biting.”

  A sudden quiet. She took the opportunity to forge on. “I have no need or desire to be on camera. I am the vice president of operations and supply of a company that is now trading in the high multimillions.” A fact that terrified her on a regular basis but that Iris was teaching her to manage step by step.

  The firm had older team members, but no one as integrated into the nitty-gritty of the business as Juliet. For the first time in her life, she’d found something at which she excelled, and she was lucky enough to have bosses who saw her skill and not her age or lack of a tertiary degree.

  “Furthermore,” she continued, “my tastes have improved vastly in the time since I divorced Mr. Mescall. These days I go for men, not spoiled little boys who throw tantrums to the media when they don’t get their way.”

  She glanced at her watch. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a conference call with a large department store in New York that is itching to carry Everett’s new collection.” Everett deserved the plug after dealing with this bullshit.

  More questions, this time about the deal.

  “Patience,” she said with a laughing smile. “All will be revealed in due time. But let’s just say I’ve already booked a billboard in Times Square for our newest models.”

  21

  International Mostly Naked Jake

  Hair damp and a towel wrapped around his hips after the morning maintenance session at the gym with his Harriers teammates, Jake was about to reach for his phone when banter broke out among the team. This was a private location, the locker room empty of outsiders—which left the boys free to talk, no holds barred.

  Soon everyone was shooting the shit and hassling one another.

  A butt-ass-naked Ambrose yelled at Leo about the “pussy” weights he’d been lifting.

  Leo’s response was a raised middle finger and: “Yeah? Your girlfriend doesn’t think I have pussy arms.”

  Everyone laughed. The joke was only funny because Ambrose’s girlfriend was eight months pregnant with their first baby and so wildly in love with the flanker that they were a favorite with the entire country. No doubt the couple would be inundated with handmade gifts—apparently, the tiny black socks and tiny black hats and tiny black team T-shirts had alre
ady begun arriving.

  Ambrose, good-natured and content in his relationship, grinned. “You only wish, Lion-Man.”

  “Yeah, yeah, you smug shit.” Leo threw a towel in Ambrose’s direction. “Cover up. We don’t need to see your baby-making stick.”

  That had everyone cracking up again. Jake was still grinning when he dug out his phone to check how things were going with Juliet. He’d be very surprised if she hadn’t taken total control of the situation by now.

  He had a text from her as well as a missed call from his agent, Darren. He read the text first. It was ominous: I promise I tried to talk them out of it. But it’s you they want. The words were followed by a smiley with its teeth stretched in a wide “oops” smile.

  Eyes narrowing, he called Darren.

  His agent didn’t beat around the bush. “Everett Echert is calling in that bit in your contract that obliges you to give him ten days of your time for publicity and promotion. They want to use up five of those ten.”

  Jake leaned back against the wall, his muscles easing; trust Jules to mess with him by making it seem some big thing. At least now he could relax—she was obviously doing a whole lot better. “We’ll have to clear it with team management.”

  “I already sorted that. You’ll be back in time for the training camp—with a couple of days breathing room to get over any jet lag.” Darren talked like the trial lawyer he’d once been, fast and confident. “I also asked if you could bring Esme with you. I know you like to take her on trips when you can.”

  That was because he had to leave her in his family’s care so much during the season. “What? They want me to go around the country doing photo ops?”