Page 192 of Off Limits Mogul

“You want to know who killed Chelle?” Keira’s question breaks the tense standoff.

“Finally, you’re willing to talk,” Jedd says, moving his attention away from me.

What I’d give to punch the smirk off his face.

“Piranhas like you,” she says, lifting her chin, her voice coated with anger. “You pretend to be a reporter, but in reality, you’re nothing more than an ambulance chaser who gets his kicks from fishing for lies, ready to twist anything in your favor for more website views or to sell more magazines filled with half-truths. It’s all about the money. Never about the people you hurt…” She shoots him a contemptuous glare. “Or worse, the people you kill. You want to believe Chelle’s mom’s story, knock yourself out.”

With that, Keira heads for the door, the two officers in tow.

What the hell just happened?

Chapter 37

Keira

Rhys’s strong hand holds mine as he eats up the floor beneath him. He’s walking so fast, I struggle to keep up in my five-inch heels. Officer Dalton and Officer Kaminski’s long strides match his. People stare at us, but I’m still too shocked by that idiot reporter’s questions to care. He doesn’t stop until we find a quiet spot inside Building 22.

Rhys’s gaze bounces between the two officers. “I’m going to have a word with my girlfriend.”

“We’ll give you a little privacy, but we can’t go too far,” Officer Kaminski says.

Rhys nods. “I understand.”

He flips me around so my back hits a wall. “What the fuck was that about?”

I’m about to answer, but he fires off another question.

“Is that why every time I asked if you were going to visit Chelle’s mom, you were always evasive?”

“Yes. Chelle’s mom has this crazy idea in her head.”

“Why?”

“Because of all the lies Chelle fed her.”

“Mrs. Camden has known you since you were a kid. You’d never be capable of something so abominable,” he says.

“Chelle’s insecurities not only broke our friendship, but they also served as the springboard for all the lies she kept telling herself. Since she’s so close to her mom, it’s no surprise Mrs. Camden would come to the wrong conclusions.”

“Explain.”

“Without Superstardom, Lucky Break would cease to exist––”

“You’re not telling me anything new, Keira.” I’m testing his patience.

“We were walking on sunshine on the night of the launch party for the announcement of our first album. The ballroom at the venue the record company secured was packed with celebrities, musicians, and legends. Paxton Foley was also present.”

“According to Jedd, Paxton is a trust fund baby. What was he doing at your party?”

“If you can’t be Paxton Foley, you can live vicariously through him via social media.”

“Oh, he’s one of those.” He rolls his eyes.

He lets go of my shoulders and takes a step back.

“Yes, he is,” I say, “and he’s a master at it. Paxton turned his mommy-and-daddy-funded-multi-million-dollar-lifestyle into a lucrative brand. He has a ridiculous number of followers and he gets invited to the best parties in London. An acknowledgment from Paxton, and your brand is sitting pretty. Even after leaving the UK as a child, Chelle’s mom was still connected to all things British. That’s why Chelle knew who Paxton was. I didn’t.”

“Back to the launch party,” he says.