“He’ll really be pissed?”
“Yes. And anyone close to me will be in danger. That’s why I needed to talk to you in private. I want to make sure you understand the risks of being photographed with me.”
“You want to be photographed, though?”
“Yeah. It’s part of my plan. I’m hoping to take his attention off the people I care about by allowing him to focus on me. Up until now, he’s been meticulous in his planning. I want him desperate, so he’ll start making mistakes. Then maybe we can get the proof to have him arrested.”
“Do you want him to find you?”
“For now, I just want him to see photos of me from the night before.”
“So a different club every night?”
“Different club. Different cities. Different guys, even.”
“Basically, my plan, only with higher stakes.”
“Yeah.”
Knox grins at me and cuts a piece of his steak. “Eat up. Our food is getting cold.”
I take a bite of the lemon chicken pasta he ordered me. “This is really good. What are you thinking?”
“I’m letting it all soak in first.”
“Okay.”
We eat in silence for a few minutes. Then he asks, “So, what about Aiden?”
“I don’t want him to find out about Aiden.”
“So you won’t be photographed with him?”
“No.”
“So you need me?”
“Not exactly. You would just up the stakes a little.”
“How so?”
“I’m shooting a music video with Twisted Dreams this week.”
“That’s Matt Moran’s son, right?”
“Yes. Damian is my best friend. The video will premiere on New Year’s Eve. I’ll be Keatyn Douglas again.”
“Do you act slutty in the video?”
“I’m in a bikini for most of it because it’s set at the beach. There are a lot of similarities between the video, my real life, and A Day at the Lake.”
“Nice. I’m in, by the way. We’ll be careful. Make some noise. See what happens.”
“Are you sure?”
“Hell yeah. You’re practically Hollywood royalty, sugar. I’d be stupid not to have a fake affair with you. Besides, the more press we get together, the more people will want to see our movie.”
“Unless you end up dead.”
“I have a bodyguard. You have a bodyguard. Surely, they can keep us safe.”
“The paparazzi know where you live.”
“It will be fine. Finish your food. Drink up. Then we’re gonna party Knox-style.”
I drink the rest of my champagne then laugh. “You have your own style?”
“Yep. Be prepared.”
“You better like to dance.”
“I love to dance. By the way, what does Aiden think of this? Is he going to be pissed at me?”
“He understands what I have to do to get my life back. But he really doesn’t like it.”
“I’m surprised he didn’t want to come with. Even just to watch out for you.”
“Oh, he did.”
“But you’re stubborn, aren’t you?”
“Yeah. He knows if he pushes me, I’ll be gone and he won’t see me until this is over.”
“Do you like the champagne?” he asks, filling up my glass.
“It’s good champagne,” I reply.
“If you had your choice, would you drink it at the club?”
“I don’t usually sip champagne in the VIP section, if that’s what you’re asking.”
He looks at his watch. “Thank god. I’ll only deal with girls like that if I’m gonna get laid.”
While he grabs his wallet, I text Aiden, who I know will relay the information to Cooper.
Me: He’s in. Headed to a club. ifly.
Hottie God: Be careful. ifly2.
“I just realized something,” I tell Knox as we’re being driven to the club.
“You’ve fallen madly in love with me?” he says with a mischievous grin.
“Afraid not. It just hit me that all my life I’ve been taught to avoid the cameras and the places paparazzi hang out. How do you know where to go? What if we go and they aren’t there? This will be a waste of time.”
“You will never again say time spent with Knox Daniels is a waste. You will ruin my well-honed reputation.” He pats my hand. “You have a lot to learn. It’s cute. Tonight you will watch and learn from the master.”
“But how do you know they’ll be there?”
“My assistant tips them off. They all think I’m a horrible boss and she’s on the take.”
“So, she tells them where you’re going to be?”
“When I want them to know, yes. The first club we’re going to allows them inside. Photos will be taken of us when we arrive and when we’re on the dance floor. They usually don’t allow them in the VIP section, but the staff talks to them. So, if you want people to think we’re together, you’ll need to act like it the whole time.”