Page 102 of The Write Track
“How does that prove Preston is setting me up?” Nathan challenged, snuggling me close. He was a big protective bear and clearly had no intention of letting me go.
“Because she’s done it before.” Bree leveled her gaze on him. “Do you remember hearing about that conference in Florida, the one where the organizer was fired?”
Nathan looked momentarily perplexed. They knew a lot more about the publishing world than I did, so it was a story I’d never heard. Ultimately, he’d nodded. “Yeah, Tom Garfield. I remember thinking that story didn’t make sense, but I don’t want to ever question the victim.”
“Well, apparently news has spread that she’s not a victim. She set him up for a payout.”
“Well, great.” Nathan made a hissing sound under his breath. “I hate it when stories like this ruin it for everybody.”
“I bet I hate it more. Heather got a six-figure payout and she agreed to make a public statement. Of course, since none of us know her very well, we didn’t hear about that part. The apology was swept under the rug.”
“You think Preston is paying her,” I guessed.
“Don’t you?” Bree raised an eyebrow as she regarded me.
I didn’t like blaming the victim either, but seeing how she was with Preston, the way they acted together, it was the only assumption I could come up with. “How do we prove it?”
Bree’s eyes went to Nathan. “Your father has contacts, right? He can talk to Preston’s father.”
Nathan didn’t look happy about that possibility. “I’m going to have to talk to him to get him to help.”
Bree made a “so what” circular motion with her hand. “Do it.”
“But… we don’t have the best relationship.” Nathan looked pained. “I just blew him off before we came here when he said he wanted to visit.”
“Nathan, he was reaching out to you,” Brody interjected. “Let him reach out. Let him help you. If we’re not careful, Preston is going to do something even more diabolical to you than what was done to Tom.”
Nathan glanced down at me, completely torn.
“This is my fault,” I said, straightening on his lap. “You don’t have to call your father. I’ll go to Preston and tell him we know what he’s planning.”
“Absolutely not.” Nathan vehemently shook his head. “He’ll deny it and all it will do is make him go even more diabolical. Bree is right. We need to go in under the radar. If that involves calling my father…”
“You need to talk to your father and get him to reach out to the second Preston,” Bree insisted. “It’s important we get him on our side.”
“The second Preston isn’t any more likable than his son,” I warned.
“No, but I bet he’s a better businessman,” Bree countered. “He’s going to understand the importance of not burning bridges over petty stuff.”
“She’s right,” Nathan said to me, his gaze seeking. “We need my father, loath as I am to admit it.”
“I don’t want to force you to do something that you don’t want to do.” My stomach was a squirming mass of snakes. “Maybe you would be better off without me.”
“Don’t say that.” Fury flashed in his eyes. “I want you. I’m not letting him take you from me. I’m also not letting you fall on your invisible sword. None of this is your fault.”
I thought of my mother, of what she would say, and stiffened my spine. “You’re right. I deserve some happiness.”
Nathan’s smile was warm and genuine. “Damn right you do.”
“Language,” Hayley barked, although there was zero heat behind it.
“We need to get the other authors who are here onboard,” Bree said, looking at Hayley. “We need to be careful and avoid anybody who might be on Heather’s side.”
“What about Daisy?” Hayley asked.
“Weirdly enough, I think she might be an asset,” Bree replied. “She thought she was making headway with Preston. She cared about the money. Then he brought in a ringer, and he’s been paying very little attention to her since then. Her nose must be out of joint.”
“Ooh, that’s a good point.” Hayley bobbed her head. “I approve.”
