Read Scandal (Tainted #1) for Free Online

Tony asked.
    Sebastian gave Tony a run-down of Alicia’s plan to help save his career, and though his manager’s face paled to a healthier shade of pink, he shifted in his seat like hot coals lined the chair’s padding. Her heart raced with hope, but the terror Collins would screw this up dampened her forehead.
    Tony frowned. ‘So the girl has good ideas. Doesn’t explain why you felt her up on the street.’
    Oh, so now it was his fault? She was tempted to ask why he’d put her first in line to be shot at.
    ‘Alicia doesn’t only have good ideas, but she’s from a well-respected English family.’
    Both Mr Maine’s and his manager’s expressions were blank, expectant. Alicia wondered where he’d dug up that information. He threw her a look that said ‘go with the flow’. Her expression froze and so did her spine. She had a bad feeling about this.
    ‘Dating an earl’s daughter is one way of showing I’m getting my act together, and the press don’t know she works here. They assumed we were on a date when really it was a meeting.’
    She gasped and all eyes were on her. Collins’ foot connected with hers beneath the table and she swallowed back the insta-refusal. Under the scrutiny of her boss and the huge, rosy-faced man next to Collins, she ran the idea over in her head.
    Denial was pointless. The papers had what they considered ‘proof’ along with several spins. All she could do now was give them a positive angle to work with. That was her job.
    But at this cost? Alicia didn’t know. Using her family’s reputation meant her father would … Acid bubbled in her stomach and she rubbed a hand over her waist, trying to soothe the discomfort there. She couldn’t think about what her father would do. It was clear Tony had come for blood and wasn’t leaving until she was out on her backside or he was satisfied with their new plan. Her job was the priority, wasn’t it?
    When it all came down to it, she didn’t really have a choice.
    ‘He’s right. My family’s reputation is untarnished.’ Or it would be, until she started officially dating the Playboy of tennis. ‘I could be his undercover publicist while showing the world he’s turned over a new leaf.’
    Why was she even agreeing to this madness? A glance at the huge, angry manager who was all but puffing out his chest sent a shot of icy fear down her spine.
    ‘By dating the honourable Miss Simpson.’ Sebastian grinned and blood rushed to her cheeks.
    She wasn’t honourable, far from it, but nobody other than her family knew that and she planned to keep it that way.
    Mr Maine frowned at her. ‘Why didn’t you tell me about this idea of yours?’
    Collins jumped in, diverting that cold stare from her. ‘My idea. It’s the perfect way to start her plan, and it means we can hide the fact I hired Maine. The press will think I’m making the changes by myself and will hopefully get off my back.’
    Tony clapped him on the shoulder. ‘Good thinking. It wouldn’t have killed you to tell me, though.’
    ‘Mr Collins, I’d like to point out that this is not standard practice.’ Mr Maine’s expression turned serious. ‘We have strict rules about our staff getting involved with clients. However, I will make an exception this once since the relationship is a ruse.’
    Alicia heard the warning in Mr Maine’s cool tone and didn’t doubt Sebastian had, either. She was still reeling, not allowing herself to think of what would happen in the days and weeks to come.
    ‘I hear what you’re saying and appreciate your concessions,’ Sebastian said.
    He pulled the contract from his pocket and smoothed it out on the table. In black scrawl across the bottom was his signature. It was the most amazing thing she’d ever seen. She sagged back into her chair and released the breath she’d been holding.
    Tony rose with Sebastian and they headed for the exit. For once, she used the distraction of his body to take her mind off what she feared the most. It