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The television mounted on the wall across from the table, powered on. He grabbed the remote off a nearby table and turned to my favorite news station. Crossing my arms, I leaned back on the cabinets, waiting for him to further explain.
He glanced over his shoulder. “No, thank you Isab—” I shot him a warning glance.
“Miss Ayala.” He sheepishly grinned. “And Noah is napping.” He turned back to the television.
My eyes widened as I narrowed my gaze on the screen. “Merda.” I deeply exhaled, lifting a hand to my chin and stroking my jaw.
“What’s wrong?” Isabelle carried our plates over to the table and set them on the placemats. She glanced up at the wall and her mouth fell agape. “That’s the woman from the restaurant!”
Joseph placed his hands on his hips. “That’s why I’m here.”
Noah appeared in the doorway, running his fingers through his hair. “What’s going on?”
“Shh, shh!” I held my hand out.
All our attention was on the woman.
…and she just punched me, but a strange secret service looking guy dragged her off that…
The lady on television continued frantically as cell phone footage showed Isabelle being led by Noah toward the restaurant kitchen.
“That’s not what happened!” Isabelle shrieked, whipping her head around to face me.
“Miss Ayala punched no one.” Noah sped over with haste to defend her.
Silently, I meandered the kitchen, circling the island. My attention turned back toward the screen when the journalist began to interview people outside in front of the restaurant. I gritted my teeth as one girl claimed to see Isabelle swear and kick a random person on the way out. Isabelle’s eyes were welling up with tears as Noah stood nearby frozen in disbelief.
She’s probably having an affair with that guy, and we caught them for—
“TURN IT OFF!”I demanded.
“Alexa, turn off the kitchen display.” Joseph yanked his earpiece from his ear and let it hang over his shoulder.
Isabelle swiped her finger under her eyes. Noah, unable to speak, quietly stared at the floor. The lies spewing from the mouths of people on the television angered me immensely. I could protect Isabelle physically, but I could not silence everyone on the planet just to shield her feelings. It was the part of being me I hated. I felt powerless, though I would never verbally admit it.
Joseph cleared his throat and slid his phone out of his pocket. He arched a brow as he peeked at the screen, then returned it to his pocket. “This brings me to my suggestion, sir.”
We turned to turn our attention to him.
With his head held high, it was clear Joseph was ready to make a decision without my permission. Normally, I allowed Joseph to make executive decisions since he had more than earned that right. He would make choices regarding security, then brief me on the changes later. “I know you’re not going to like this.” He took a few steps closer to where I was standing. “The suggestion isn’t about security, I know.” He rolled his eyes. “But it also is. It will make my job so much easier.”
“I don’t follow.” I tilted my head, gnawing the inside of my bottom lip.
“Youreallyneed to hire a publicist.”
“I don’t think so, Joseph.”
“Valentino, we should consider it.” Isabelle sniffled.
I hated seeing her cry. It broke my heart, but this was something I would not bend on. There was no way I would allow someone else into my home after London. “Absolutely not.” I crossed my arms over my chest, standing taller than Joseph’s stature, challenging him. “I do not trust anyone to properly represent us.”
“Well, are you going to speak up or allow me to?” Isabelle squeaked as Noah grabbed a napkin off the table and handed it to her. “Thank you.” She nodded toward him as she took it from his grasp. She turned back to me. “Valentino, you won’t let me drop kick people in the face, so let me speak up, or we need help!”
Noah averted his gaze briefly, trying to hide his amusement.
Knowing he was perhaps just as amused as I was about Isabelle’s statement, it was no time for joking around. I slid my hands in my pockets, shrugging. “I don’t feel the need to defend our personal lives to the public, Isabelle.”
Joseph sighed, then lifted his hands. “If you’re not going to address the public about it and you’re not going to allow her to either, then I suggest you let me do my job and hire someone to keep you both protected.”
