Headlines (Prime Time #3) - Ella Frank Page 0,13
and how to deal with criminals in a way that is both legal and controlled. It’s where you earn your stripes and experience.”
“That makes sense. It’s similar in the broadcast world. We start local and work our way up. Grunt work to research to minor assignments, then, if you’re lucky, you get your big break.”
Sean settled back in his seat and grinned. “Oh, so it’s got nothing to do with the fact that you’re really fucking easy on the eyes?”
I smiled at him over the rim of my glass. “Not that I’m aware of. I believe they were more interested in my journalism skills than what I look like in a suit.”
Sean’s eyes roved over me as though the suit under discussion was nowhere in sight.
“Stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
My cock jerked and I shifted in my seat. “Sean…”
“Right here, anchorman.”
Didn’t I know it. With the wine swirling through my veins and the heated look Sean was aiming my way, it was a miracle I hadn’t climbed across the table and attacked him.
“Are you going to tell me about your meeting with Henri or just tease me all night?” I asked.
“Is that what I’m doing?”
“You know it is.”
Sean took a piece of bread from the basket on the table and spread a liberal amount of butter on it. “He basically grilled me about how serious we were and then threatened my life.”
I coughed around the sip of wine I’d just taken. “Threatened your life?”
Sean finished his mouthful and nodded. “Yeah. Basically said if we were breaking Bailey’s heart for a quick fuck, he’d kill me.”
Wow, Henri didn’t mess around, did he? I picked up my napkin and dabbed at my lips, trying to think of something to say to that.
“I told him it was none of his business, but he was pretty adamant.”
I licked at my lips, suddenly nervous to ask this next question even though I was almost positive of the answer. “What did you say?”
Sean sat forward in his seat and reached for my hand. He wrapped his fingers around mine and grazed his thumb across the back of my knuckles.
“I told him that what we had was important to me, that you’re something special. Neither of us planned this, Xander, but I can’t help but feel like it was meant to be.”
My panic receded at the soft expression in Sean’s eyes. “And what did he say to all of that?”
Sean took in a deep breath and then let it out, sitting back in his seat. “He said he’d talk to Bailey. Try to help us out. He also said he knew this was coming even before we did.”
“He did?”
“Yeah, apparently you were acting a little strange at one of the Saturday dinners.”
I remembered. Henri had been grilling me about Sean and asking how things were going. Then he’d flat-out asked me if the two of us were sleeping together. Back then, the idea had seemed so absurd that I’d almost spat out my drink. It was amazing how much could change in a handful of weeks.
“Anyway, he said to leave it with him and he’d work on Bailey. I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but it looks like we need to put our trust in Boudreaux.”
My lips twitched at his resigned tone. “You know, you’re going to have to tell me about that one day.”
“What?”
“How you two ended up working together.”
“Eh, you don’t want to hear about that.”
“Yes, I do.” I grinned at him. “Chalk it up to my journalist curiosity, but I find your relationship with him very interesting.”
“I don’t have a relationship with him. It was business. He brought me information and I paid him for it. End of story.”
“Except it’s not. Here he is helping you out with your brother.”
“Helping us out.”
“Okay, helping us out.” Sean’s eyes narrowed, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. “What? It’s true. He even lives in your childhood house.”
“Are you trying to put me in a bad mood?”
“No, I’m just trying to make you realize that, despite all your bluster, I think Henri might’ve grown on you a bit.”
Sean screwed his nose up. “Can we change the subject, please?”
I nodded and thought about my conversation with my mother this weekend. She’d texted me earlier this morning to say they still wanted to come to town for my birthday, and now that it was set in stone, I needed to tell Sean about it.
“I actually have something I need to discuss with you.”
Sean sat up a