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I’m still staring at Evan, who doesn’t say a word.

“Do you have a partner?” What am I doing? Am I fishing for information about Evan’s life? I am beyond any help. I take a closer look at the photos that are currently circulating. Shit. Joaquin. “Are you dating Joaquin DePrue?”

That finally elicits a reaction from him.

“You know Joaquin?”

The question is, who doesn’t know him? “He’s a relatively well-known model.” Not so well-known that he could be as reckless with his money as he is, but …

“Oh, I see.” Evan is now staring at the tablet. Finally, he shakes his head. “We’re casual acquaintances.”

Good. What the hell am I thinking? It doesn’t matter a single bit. “That makes it easier and harder at the same time.”

Evan lifts his head and meets my gaze. “What do you mean?”

“Joaquin keeps getting linked to closeted celebrities,” I explain, but Derek cuts me off again.

“No one’s in the closet. Evan’s a good guy who’s being treated badly.”

Before I can say anything in response, Carly beats me to it. “Um, just as I feared. That’s why I’ve been running my alerts on Evan all day. The magazine that posted the photos has announced an exclusive interview. With a source who’s still unknown, but who will confirm what the photos suggest.”

My gaze darts from her to Evan, who turns as pale as a ghost.

Derek starts cursing. Worse than he usually does. “I knew it. Those scumbags.”

Evan pushes his chair back. He looks as if he wants to jump up and run away.

I raise my hands reassuringly. “As you can see, we’ve already anticipated this. Derek, have your lawyers been notified yet?”

“You bet your ass they have. What a damn mess.”

“What happens next?” Evan asks.

“Well”—He finally looks me straight in the eye—“nothing right away. In my opinion, Joaquin doesn’t have a firm deal with the magazine yet. Based on experience, Michael, the photographer, will reach out to you to ask for a counteroffer.”

“Blackmail.” Derek growls the word, and he’s not wrong. But Joaquin never crosses the line to criminal actions as far as I know.

“Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time. However, he’ll surely be persuaded not to talk to the press if offered the right amount of money. He’s not after fame. He doesn’t need that. He needs money,” I explain as calmly as possible.

“That can’t be true.” Evan sounds completely incredulous.

I understand him. Joaquin is attractive—gorgeous. A model with hobbies that are way too expensive obviously. I have no other explanation as to why this exact scenario happens over and over again. He’s charming, and Evan isn’t my first client to fall for his tricks. But as long as no one speaks up, nothing will change, and Joaquin and this photographer he is working with will have free rein.

“Of course!” Derek yells, staring at his smartphone. “Here it is. The message from that jerk.”

“Don’t text him.” I snap at Derek. This guy has absolutely no self-control. “Forward the email to the lawyers. Let them handle it.”

“But . . . ” Evan’s hesitant voice cuts in between us. “How much is he demanding?”

Derek snorts contemptuously. “Is that relevant, Evan? Is there an amount at which you’d say, ‘That’s my limit’? Do you want some model to go to the press and say you’re gay and spill the beans about your escapades?” He scolds Evan as if he were a kid. I hate Derek so much, but at that moment I want to throw him out of the agency. Which, of course, I can’t do. He’s our best client.

Evan lowers his gaze to the tabletop in front of him. He shakes his head. “No.”

“Exactly. Let me handle this with legal team. You’ll find out soon enough where to transfer the money.”

“Derek, if necessary, we should discuss other options. You know as well as I do that Joaquin and this photographer keep pulling the same stunt over and over. It would help you and your people in the long run if someone put a stop to Joaquin’s blackmail and exposed him.”

“Listen, Parker. You’re good at your job. But you have no idea what you’re asking for. I’m not going to sacrifice any of my guys for some idea that might benefit someone down the line. Evan isn’t gay and never will be. What you’re trying to do is out him. And that’s not going to happen with me. Never.”