Perplexed by his otherwise cool attitude, I repeated my claim of innocence. “I know you saw the article, and I’m telling you, it’s not true.”
Reeve sat back in his chair and looked from me to Joe then back to me again. Finally, he said, “I know.”
“You know?” I was happy that he believed me but more than a little surprised that I hadn’t had to convince him. “How do you know?”
“Because, first of all, you’re with me.” Maybe Reeve had learned a thing or two about me as well. Like, when I’m committed to a guy, I’m committed.
“Secondly,” he continued, “that picture in the article is one of mine. The embrace it’s depicting has already been explained as innocent.” He eyed me as he spoke the last part, his expression saying, I trust you, even if you don’t trust me.
Warmth shot through me even as I recalled the spiteful manner in which he’d treated me when obtaining that explanation.
“What do you mean it’s yours?” Joe asked, but I had a feeling I already knew the answer.
“It was a picture that one of my men had taken.”
I’d thought I’d been followed that day. Then, when Reeve had shown up at my house in a rage over my afternoon with Chris, I’d known I’d been followed. He’d been jealous and mean, but, as embarrassing as it was to admit even to myself, I’d liked it.
I was pretty sure, though, that it wasn’t something Joe would understand.
“A bodyguard took the photo,” I said, covering for Reeve’s behavior.
Reeve, however, didn’t seem to think he needed me to protect him. “An investigator,” he corrected. “I’d had Emily followed. These were the pictures he’d taken and e-mailed me.”
Joe’s gaze narrowed. “Is that something you normally do – have your girlfriends followed?” His terse, accusing tone made my spine prickle.
Reeve was quick to respond. “When I know they’ve hired someone to investigate me first? Yes. I do.”
Just like that, Reeve had both defended his questionable actions and divulged that he’d known Joe had been hired to research him. Impressive. I lowered my head, hiding my grin.
“Emily is already aware of that, though,” Reeve went on, “so there’s no need to make it an issue now.”
Feeling Joe’s eyes on me, I looked up and gave him a reassuring smile.
Joe seemed hesitant, but he conceded. “No issue made. What I’m more concerned about is if this article is going to mean trouble for her.”
Reeve’s expression said he knew what sort of trouble Joe was referring to. “I’m handling it.”
“Thank you.” My gratitude was blotted with unease. Reeve’s version of handling it would likely lead to him discovering that I had slept with Chris. It had been long before Reeve, but after his numerous jealous outbursts, I wasn’t sure the timing of our fling would soothe him at all.
Which meant I needed to tell him myself, before he uncovered it. He might react poorly, but it would be better than waiting and worrying.
“‘Handling it,’” Joe repeated. “Just out of curiosity, is that a euphemism?”
Reeve let a few seconds pass, which I guessed was to temper his response. “It means I’m looking into the source of the article as well as reasons it might have been released, besides for the purpose of mere fodder for the masses. I’m also feeling out my sources to see if anyone is up in arms over Blakely’s other recent revelations in the media.”
He glanced at me but then directed his next words solely to Joe. “But, as long as she’s with me, she’s safe, no matter what’s discovered from my research.”
Reeve’s possessive words hit all my hot buttons like a mallet glissando on a xylophone.
Joe raised a skeptical brow. “Are you sure? If this was one of your guy’s photos, how did someone else get ahold of it?”
“And why is this coming out now?” I added. The pictures were several weeks old, which was a lifetime in Hollywood.
“Those are exactly my questions. Either someone hacked my e-mail or my investigator’s. My guess is that the photo was an accidental find by someone searching for access to my bank accounts. The hacker likely saw it and recognized an opportunity to make a little money by selling the image to the paparazzi.”
Reeve’s supposition was very probable. Secure databases containing private e-mails were breached every day. I supposed even a control freak billionaire wasn’t immune to cybercriminal activity.
Joe was less willing to buy the theory. “Are you positive this man of yours is someone you can trust?”
“Anatolios has worked for me for over ten years and is the most faithful employee I have.” Reeve’s right-hand man was nothing if not loyal. “But, of course, I’m researching every possibility.”
Joe’s body remained tight and his expression uncertain. “I’m sure you’ll understand if I want to do some research of my own.”
“Of course I’ll understand.” Reeve’s smile was smug. “I appreciate that, actually, as well as your immediate response to something you recognized as a possible threat. It means a lot to me.”
Understandably, Joe didn’t seem to know how to take Reeve’s acknowledgment. “Yeah. No problem.”
Great. Now there were two people digging into my relationship with Chris.
Joe shifted as though he were getting ready to leave, but he stopped when Reeve asked, “Emily, what’s wrong?”