Page 64 of Mr. Perfect

“You’re guilty,” he says. “You were always guilty. More guilty than anyone for what happened to that girl. Guiltier than me, that’s for sure.”

“A court of law disagreed.” I smile and shrug my shoulders. “So no, actually, I’m not. And just because I didn’t do anything back then doesn’t mean I won’t do anything now.”

“Are you threatening me, McAllister?” He steps forward, his dark eyes flashing in anger. “Because I can play that game too.”

“Let’s go,” I say. “I’m ready when you are. But just remember this, Brutus.” I say his new name with disgust. It makes me sick that he’s some famous reclusive rock star. All these years, a whole decade between then and now, and look at him. “I have power in high places. Stay the fuck away from Ellie Hatcher and stay the fuck away from Stonewall Entertainment. Or the whole truth about what happened back in college will come tumbling out faster than you can blink.”

“Ha.” He laughs. “Don’t talk to me about truth, Mr. Perfect. You’re the last man on Earth to lecture anyone on truth.”

I want to punch him in the face so badly, I’m shaking. “Stay away from my company, my employees, and me. Because if you even think about talking, I’ll make sure everyone knows your part in it.”

I walk out and he’s screaming behind me. Threats, insults. Whatever. He can go fuck himself.

Ellie is already in the car when I get there, still holding the front of her dress together and staring down at her lap. “Are you OK?” I ask, sliding into the car next to her. “Airport,” I tell the driver. “Get us the fuck out of here.”

“Will your father be mad?”

“At what?” I ask.

“Not getting the interview.”

“No,” I say. “No, Ellie. He didn’t know.”

“He didn’t know what, Mac? What the hell just happened in there?”

Fuck. “It’s just…” Fuck. “It’s just the past, that’s all. Nothing to worry about.”

“What did Brutus mean by all that? That stuff about me not knowing who you are?”

“Just… never mind. You don’t have to worry about it. But none of that had anything to do with you, Ellie. That was about me and I should’ve known better. I know what kind of asshole he is. He hasn’t changed a bit.”

“So you know each other?” She takes a deep breath, but she’s not looking me in the eyes.

“I did,” I say. “I knew him once, ten years ago. Back in college. But I haven’t seen him since.”

“What were you talking about on the phone during the flight?”

“What? Why?”

“Because it sounded important and it sounded like you were trying really hard not to let me know what was going on.” She finally looks me in the eyes. “Something happened, didn’t it?”

Shit. “Ellie, look it’s not about this.”

“Then what?” She’s angry. And I don’t blame her. “What’s happening today? Why were you on the phone and what was that emergency call about?”

I frown. “Just don’t overreact, OK?”

“Mac—”

“There’s a video of us.” I cringe as I prepare myself to say the next few words. “Of us fucking.”

“From where?” Her eyes are darting around wildly. “Where did they get a video?”

“Your office.”

“No.” She looks like she might cry. “No! Fuck that! How?”

“Cameras.”