Ema met Claire at her office later that evening, after working things out with VH1 and ABC. She was relieved
that Knox’s agent and friend had at least taken her call and then listened to the recording of her and Mike.
“I’ve got lawsuits started against Mike and we’ve issued a press release combating the bad media,” Claire
informed her. “What’s your plan?”
Ema loved that Claire didn’t waste time. “VH1 is airing the real show tomorrow night at seven and several
more times throughout the weekend.
Luckily Mike was too stupid to think of changing the passwords on our You Tube and social media accounts. I
was able to change them and lock him out, pull all the videos he posted, and put up teasers about a real look into
Knox Sherman’s life and all the times the new show would be aired.”
Claire nodded. “It’s the best we can do.”
Ema sank into the vinyl chair across from Claire’s desk. “Will he ever forgive me, Claire?”
Claire’s blue eyes softened. “I don’t know. Paris showing up was pretty awful, and ...” Her mouth twisted and
she finally said, “There was a kidnapping attempt when Shelby was a baby. It haunts him.”
Ema wrapped her fingers around her neck. “That’s awful. No wonder he’s so overprotective.”
“Yeah. Paris is such a psycho, she thought Knox would want her.” She pulled a disgusted face. “I guess Brig
put her in her place and took out her bodyguard with ease.”
“Who’s Brig?”
“The really hot gray-haired guy. He’s head of Knox’s security. What is it about guys looking so smoking
appetizing with gray hair?” she muttered under her breath.
Ema was in a spot of misery, but she couldn’t help but notice the way Claire’s face and voice changed. Brig
was the guy who’d driven Ema to the hotel this morning. He seemed like a nice guy, and he’d been kind to her.
“Really hot, huh? You dating him?”
“No!” Claire shuffled some papers and then clicked on something on her computer. “He’s not my type.”
“Hmm. Really hot and buff isn’t your type?”
“Nope. He’s a good guy, but I don’t date anybody who protects and serves.”
“Why?”
“None of your business.” Claire glared at her. “So what’s our plan?
How are we getting you back together with Knox?”
Ema drew in a breath. “He’s not going to forgive me.”
“Why don’t you let him decide?”
“This morning he thumped Mike because he heard me scream and saw Mike standing over me. I said some
things I shouldn’t have. Told him he was too intense and out of control.”
“Knox isn’t out of control. He’s overprotective, but that’s kind of endearing in my book.”
“Mine too, but don’t you see? Things already weren’t good between us, and then this nightmare with Mike’s
video and Paris showing up ... It’s just too much. It’s not like we even had a solid relationship to start with, you
know?”
Claire pursed her lips and studied her. “All your excuses are pretty lame. Do you love him?”
“Love him?” Ema’s heart started beating faster. She clutched her sweating palms together. “I hardly know
him.”
“Doesn’t matter. You fell hard for him and you’re scared.”
“Wouldn’t you be scared? I enraged the Beast and endangered his daughter.”
“You didn’t endanger his daughter. Mike did. And the Beast doesn’t get enraged at the Beauty. He protects
her.”
Ema rolled her eyes.
“Come on,” Claire challenged. “Did you take off your big girl panties?
You obviously love him, and you’ve got this. You’re a tough, brave lady.”
“You are such a manipulator.” Ema said it with a laugh. She loved that Claire was on her team.
Claire grinned. “I’m just glad I wasn’t wrong about you. You ready to make a plan?”
“Will it get me Knox back?”
“I’m not making any promises, but I have some ideas.”
“Okay. I’ll put my big girl panties back on.”