No Strings Attached

Chapter Ten

"Scarlett—"

"It won't work," I snap, pointing at him furiously. "Your words won't work. I am not the same woman you married. I will not put up with your bullshit anymore. I won't!"

My phone blares. I growl in frustration, grabbing it. "Yes?"

"Sasha has been trying to get ahold of you non-stop. You haven't picked up your cell?"

I look up at the television in confusion, all color draining from my face when I see a headline with Giovanni's name beneath it in bold letters.

DESIGNER'S BROTHER STEALS EX – PUTS A RING ON IT

Fuck.

"How the hell did this get out already!?" I shout, slamming the phone down. I immediately dial tech support.

"Gary."

"Gary, the engagement is out. Wipe out anything with Giovanni Martinelli's name in it right now. Shut this down."

"On it."

I ring Rebecca again.

"What should I do?"

"Remind the office about what we planned in the meeting. Have them begin calling the papers and stations we have standing with immediately. Try to get the story stalled. This is our number one priority."

"Of course. You have Tom from the news on the phone wanting to confirm whether Martinelli knew about this or not."

I look down, seeing Sasha's name on my cell screen.

I pick up that as well, aware of Dixon's eyes watching me closely while I repair.

"Hold on one moment, Sasha," I utter, setting my cell down.

"Send them over and get Giovanni's brother on the phone," I tell Rebecca. I point to my ex-husband, gaining his attention, and then to the door, trying to tell him now is a good time to leave. She patches the call through.

"Tom, how are you?" I say sweetly, redirecting my attention to my phone.

"Been waiting a while. Has the place blown up there?"

"No more than usual," I lie, moving to my computer, opening up Giovanni's quick search. Only two stories are still up.

"I assume you know what I'm going to ask," he says with amusement.

"Whether my client knew?"

"Mhm."

"Of course he knew, Tom. Giovanni wishes them nothing but the best. That is all I will say for now."

"Will you make a public statement?"

"I will. And if your station decides to hold this story until then, I will give you first dibs to it."

"Deal."

"You are a good man," I utter, smirking to myself. "I will be in touch today."

"All right."

I hang up, picking up my cell, pointing to the door again for Dixon. He doesn't even budge. "Sasha," I breathe.

"Not Sasha." I'm surprised to hear Giovanni's deep reply.

"Giovanni," I utter, forcing myself to ignore how just the sound of his voice makes my skin flush. "Last time we spoke, you wanted this to go away. Is that still what you want, or do you want me to spin this?"

"I want it gone."

"I will decrease as much publicity on this as I can, Giovanni, but it is out, and it's a whopper-size scandal. The best possible way I see out of this is by saying there was no affair. That they fell in love, and you let her go."