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She sighed as she clicked through the cool, airy office, bringing me to the small conference room. She shut the door behind her and frowned some more. “I assume you saw the news about Gene Windsor?”
“Of course. It’s everywhere.”
“It’s a disaster.” Elena sat down and motioned for me to join her. “There’s a ton of press heading up there to cover the family.”
“That’s not going to go over well.” I couldn’t picture reporters with their zoom lenses converging on Mount Desert Island, also known as MDI. Located in a remote and pristine area, it was the largest island in Maine. There were also many tiny islands, including the one where Bryce and Gene Windsor had homes. Many locals lived on the smaller islands in the summer and moved to the “mainland” of Bar Harbor and Northeast Harbor during the harsh winters.
Although MDI was a playground for the rich and famous, it was peaceful, secluded, and quiet. People hiked in Acadia National Park, fished in the clear, freezing ocean, and drove their boats to dinner at the island’s sole restaurant. Anyonereporter would stick out like a sore thumb; a large group of them would be like a flock of flamingos, outrageously noticeable and out of place.
“It doesn’t help that Caroline’s wedding is in two weeks,” Elena continued. “She refuses to call it off.”
I blinked at her. “Who’s Caroline?”
Elena arched a carefully groomed brow. “Do youevergo on the internet?”
“Sure.” Usually, I was busy googling things likeHow to Drive Your Man Wild in Bed, and more recently,Is He Still Thinking About You?But whatever. “I just haven’t heard that name before. Who is she? When’s she getting married?”
“Caroline Vale is Bryce’s cousin on his mother’s side. She’s marrying a tech CEO on MDI this summer. It’s a huge to-do, with over four hundred guests. I’m surprised Bryce didn’t mention it.”
I swallowed hard. “I’m pretty sure I didn’t make the guest list, Elena.”
The madam pursed her lips. “The thing is, Bryce needs you to go up there. There’s too much scrutiny on the family right now. If you’re missing from the picture, people will start to ask questions. The Windsors need to present a unified front.”
“I can’t go back there.” I winced, remembering Bryce’s last words to me.You’re fired. I’ll see that you receive something for all the trouble.
“Hefiredme, Elena. And said that he should never have married me in the first place. It’s not exactly an open invitation!”
There was a knock on the door and Anita, the assistant, poked her head in. “Attorney Zhang is here. Are you ready for her?”
“Yes. Please send her in.”
“Why is Akira here?” Akira Zhang was my attorney, and she was awesome. But I hadn’t expected to see her today.
“Bryce has requested that you return to his estate, and he’s sent an updated contract to reflect that.”
“That’s impossible.” I gaped at her as my stomach did a somersault. “He hasn’t called me. I haven’t heard a word from him.”
“He calledmeand sent over the contract last night. He’s offering you more money,” Elena explained, “but there are several restrictions.”
“Oh, I bet.” For some reason, my eyes pricked with tears.He wants to pay me more to come back?What did he want from me—some sort of paid performance?
Akira Zhang opened the door and sailed through, toting her enormous laptop. My attorney wore an electric-blue sheath and pink eyeglasses, her hair pulled up into a high ponytail. “Elena,” she said, by way of a greeting, “you have got to be fucking kidding me with this contract!”
“Good morning to you, too, Akira.” Elena scowled at her. “And no, I’m not kidding. May I remind you that Bryce is offering alotmore money?”
Akira stuck her nose up in the air. “An additional two million dollars for a short termisa lot of money, but it’s not just about that. It’s about these terms. His new legal team’s drunk!”
An additional two million dollars.MaybeIwas the drunk one. “Akira?” I blinked at her. “What exactly is Bryce asking for?”
“Oh—hey, Chloe.” She sat down with us and set up her mammoth laptop. “Sorry I started going off first thing. But this contract is from the Stone Ages! Read this—Section 12-C. You’re theObligee, and Bryce is theObligor.”
Akira turned the laptop around so I could see the screen.
Section 12-C
• (1) Obligee agrees to not speak to any men unless they are in the direct employment of Obligor, and a third party is present during the conversation;
• (2) Obligee shall sleep in Obligor’s bed every night and shall go to bed at the time designated by the Obligor;
