“That’s my cue to leave,” he said, kissing the top of Danny’s head. “I’m off to the gym. It was great to meet you both. We should do this again soon.”
Luke gave Tally a hug and shook Cash’s hand before heading out. Danny waited until he heard the front door slam and then switched on his iPad.
“Okay, beautiful people. Let’s get to work.”
23
Tally held her breath as Cash set the article down on the coffee table. She waited for him to say something. Anything. Instead, he strode across their hotel suite and grabbed a bottle of water from the minibar. With his eyes on hers, he took a long drink.
“Well?” she prompted.
He held the bottle by the neck, casually swinging it from his hand as he walked back to the sofa, then picked up the article once more and thumbed through the pages.
“It’s good. Very good. A sympathetic feature for an unsympathetic man.”
Tally expelled a frustrated breath. “You have got to get over this.” She tapped her finger against the papers he held in his hands. “Every word in there is true, and the underlying meaning is exactly what I was aiming for. That’s why I took over a week to draft it. It’s time to leave the past behind, Cash. Don’t you think you’ve suffered enough?”
He gave a weak shrug. “Maybe. It’s difficult, seeing it written down, knowing the world will be reading those words and judging. I couldn’t give a shit what they say about me, but I’m worried about Mum. She isn’t ready to cope with any negativity.”
Tally placed her hand over his. “Your mother is stronger than you think. We’ll deal with it. Whatever happens, we’ll deal with it together.”
“Yeah, I guess.” He took another long drink of water.
“Is there anything you want to change before I send it to Pete?”
“No. Like I said, it’s good.” He grinned. “Looks like I’ve got myself hooked up with a rather talented woman.”
Tally laughed even as a slight blush heated her cheeks. “Be careful, ace. There’s only room for one ego in this relationship.”
Cash chuckled and tugged her to sit astride his lap. He fed a lock of her hair through his fingers before reaching up to give her a quick kiss.
“I’ll grab my stuff. We need to leave in fifteen minutes.”
She encrypted the file before sending it to Pete. He responded in minutes with a note saying he’d get any changes back to her before nightfall. Then she could make the final tweaks before agreeing with Pete which edition of the paper it should be scheduled for.
Cash was pensive on the way to the tournament, his mouth creased in thought, and tired lines around his eyes made his face look drawn. Tally left him alone with his thoughts. This wasn’t easy for him, though he was coping remarkably well, especially with the knowledge that, in a few days, the article would hit newspaper stands, the Internet, everywhere. What happened afterwards—well, it was anyone’s guess.
When they reached the stadium, Cash headed for the locker room. Tally wandered off in the direction of the players’ lounge. The article kept reverberating in her mind. Cash was right—it was some of her best work—but that didn’t matter in the long run. What did matter was the reaction it would spark.
She grabbed a coffee and spotted Kinga poring over a sheaf of papers.
“Hey,” Tally said, dropping wearily into the seat next to her.
“Morning.” Kinga tucked the papers away in a blue folder. “How’s he doing?”
“A little more tense than I’d like.”
Kinga shrugged. “That’s Cash. He’s always tense before a game.” She twisted the ruby ring on her finger. “Have you thought any more about when you might tell him about the photographs?”
Tally shook her head as her insides clenched. He had enough stress at the moment. Spilling her secret would only add to that. “It’s not the right time.” She rested her hand on Kinga’s arm. “I know you’re worried, but try to relax.”
“I don’t deserve your compassion, Tally, but I’ll take it.”
Tally smiled. “Ready to go?”
Kinga glanced at her watch. “You go ahead. William is on his way. I’ll wait for him and join you shortly.”
Tally picked up her empty coffee cup and dropped it into the rubbish bin before heading onto court. She took her seat, ready for the quarter-final, and sent up a silent prayer that Cash would have his mind firmly on the match and not on the article. If he didn’t, he’d lose.
She should have known better. Cash came on court, utterly focused, and hammered his opponent. After the formalities were over, he glanced up into the players’ box and flashed a cocky grin. Tally laughed with relief at the return of his supreme confidence.
“Are you joining us for dinner tonight?” Kinga asked as they headed inside.
“I can’t,” Tally said. “I’ve got some work to do this evening.”
“Not to worry. I’m sure William will keep me suitably entertained. Won’t you, darling?”
“I’ll do my best,” William said with a smile in Tally’s direction.
Tally watched as the couple walked away, William’s tall, broad stature and dark, wild curls a direct contrast to Kinga’s petite frame and blond, perfectly styled hairdo. Tally had got to know William quite well over the last couple of weeks and would definitely put him on the “keep” list. Kinga had changed so much, and Tally guessed at least fifty per cent was due to William’s influence.
As soon as Cash had completed the obligatory press conference, Isaac drove them back to the hotel. The atmosphere in the car was completely different from earlier in the day. Cash was in a great mood, making constant jokes, and Tally began to hope he’d started to come to terms with what was about to happen.
After they arrived at the hotel, Cash disappeared into the bedroom to make a few phone calls while she ordered room service. She usually preferred to go out for dinner, but she needed to talk to Cash regarding the best time to tell the team about the article, and the last thing they needed was anyone overhearing their conversation.
When he sauntered into the living room of their suite, top button of his jeans undone, and wearing a white T-shirt that clung to his firm, muscled chest, Tally swallowed hard. He walked unhurriedly towards her, so she averted her gaze. She couldn’t allow him to distract her.
“The article’s being published this Saturday,” she said, deciding on the direct approach. “I know that only gives you two full days to prepare, but it’s for the best.”
Cash sighed and sank into a chair. “I thought you only sent it to Pete today.”
“I did. He’ll have spent the day editing it. I’m expecting it to land in my inbox by the time we’ve finished dinner, and that puts us on track for the weekend edition.”
Cash’s fingertips played with his beard, and not for the first time, she sensed his fear. She knelt in front of him, her hands resting on his thighs. “I get it, ace. You feel like you’ve climbed onto a rollercoaster, and now you can’t get off, but trust me, when this is out, things are going to get a whole lot simpler.”
Cash laughed bitterly. “You think?”
“I know,” she said firmly. “I think we should tell the team as late as possible on Friday night.”
Surprise flashed across his face. “I thought you’d push for me to tell them sooner than that.”
“We can’t afford for this to leak. I’m not saying anyone on the team would, but the more who know…” She shrugged. “It doesn’t leave Kinga much time to talk to the sponsors, but I’m sure she’ll manage.”
His chest heaved as he sucked in a lungful of air. “Okay,” he said quietly. “I’ll ask them to come here on Friday night.”
24
Cash was quiet and distracted over dinner. Tally knew why, of course. He was trying to come to terms with the timing of the article and what he would tell the team. In the early part of their relationship, she used to worry whenever Cash became morose, assuming he was quietly figuring out a way to dump her. But
she was a lot more secure these days. It was better to let him work stuff out in his own time. The more she pressed, the testier he would become. He’d come around. After all, it wasn’t as if he had a choice.
Tally piled their dinner things onto the room-service tray and left it in the hallway. She was about to make an attempt at conversation when her phone rang. She spotted Pete on the caller ID and frowned.
“Hi, Pete. Have you managed to finish the edit?”
Cash’s head snapped up, and he tugged on the neck of his T-shirt as though it had somehow tightened around his throat.
“Pretty much. Need to talk to you about a few things, though.”
“Oh?” Tally said.
“Yeah. Any chance you can get a flight over tomorrow morning? It would be easier to discuss face-to-face.”
Tally’s skin prickled, and the hairs on her arm stood up. Something was off. “Is everything okay?”
“Sure,” Pete said far too brightly. “I’ll only need you for a couple of hours max. You can be back in Madrid by early evening.”
Tally glanced over at Cash. “Hang on a sec, Pete.” She put the phone on mute. “Pete needs me to go to London. There and back in a day.”
Cash raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
She shrugged. “A couple of things about the article. He wants to talk to Danny and me together,” she said, making it up as she went along. The last thing she needed was for Cash to grow suspicious. She was suspicious enough for both of them.
“The hotel can set up a video conference for you.”
“Yes, I’m sure they could,” she said, playing for time. “But nothing quite beats face-to-face. It’s important we get this right.”
His eyes narrowed. “You’ll be back in time for the match?”
“Of course.”
“Okay.”
His shoulders fell, evidence of his unhappiness. She wasn’t delighted either, but she painted on a bright smile regardless. “All sorted, Pete. Can you get Nancy to book the flights? I have to be back here tomorrow evening.”
“No problem. I’ll text you the flight details. See you tomorrow.”
On arrival in London, the traffic was awful, made worse by the torrential rain. It took her twenty minutes longer than usual to get from the airport to the paper, but as she jumped into the lift, she couldn’t help a moment of excitement churning through her insides. It was good to be back. She waved at a couple of her former colleagues but headed straight for Pete’s office. No time for niceties that day, especially as she was already late.
She knocked once on the glass before pushing the door open. Pete wasn’t alone. Danny was sitting in the chair directly opposite Pete’s desk, and standing off to the side was a grey-haired guy in his fifties.
“Sorry I’m late,” she said, giving Pete a peck on the cheek before doing the same to Danny. “Bloody London traffic.”
She laughed but stopped when no one joined in. She shot a glance at Danny, puzzled when he wouldn’t look her in the eye.
“What’s going on? And who are you?” she said pointedly to the stranger in the room.
“Tally, this is Doug Chavant. Doug owns several national and local newspapers here in the UK and a couple in the US too.”
“Right. And that’s important because…?” She glanced at Doug. “No offence.”
“None taken,” he said with a slight curve of his lips.
Pete sighed as he rested his forearms on his desk. “There’s been a leak.”
Tally stared open-mouthed at Pete before glancing at Danny, who still wouldn’t meet her gaze. “That’s impossible. I’ve encrypted every message, and you’ve both done the same.”
Danny paled, and he covered his face with his hands. “I’m sorry, Tally. It’s all my fault.”
“Danny…?” Tally flashed a puzzled glance Pete’s way.
“Allow me to explain,” Doug said. “One of my editors was approached with a story about Cash Gallagher. A rather explosive story. Guaranteed paper seller. But the person in question wanted a considerable amount of money in return for the exclusive. Any payments over a certain amount need my approval, so my editor brought the story to me, requesting I sign off on the payment. I didn’t.”
Tally frowned. “Why not?”
“Because your uncle and I are old friends, and I have a lot of respect for him. I’m aware you’re in a relationship with Mr Gallagher, so naturally, Pete was the first person I called to see if he knew what was going on.”
“And you told him we were planning to release the same story,” Tally said to Pete.
Pete nodded. “Exactly.”
“How did this source find out?”
Danny faced her then. His eyes were glossy with unshed tears, and she could have sworn his chin trembled. “Because of me.”
She frowned. “I don’t get it.”
“Pillow talk,” Pete said with a hard stare in Danny’s direction.
“It was Luke.” Danny’s voice broke under the strain. “I barely told him anything, Tally, I promise. But then he repeated it to his personal trainer.”
“Who came to your editor?” Tally asked Doug.
“No,” he replied.
Tally shook her head. “Okay, you’re losing me.”
“Luke’s personal trainer also trains Victoria Kaminsky,” Pete said.
“Kaminsky?” Tally threw her hands in the air. “Well, that’s it, then. We’re screwed. She hates me.”
“No, we’re not,” Pete said. “Not yet. Between Doug and me, we have enough contacts to bury this story for a day or two. But we have to move quickly. I’ve already done the edit. Unfortunately, this situation means there’s no time for you and Cash to review. I want to publish tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? But it’s his semifinal tomorrow.” She wiped clammy hands on her jeans. “I need to talk to Cash.”
Pete nodded. “I thought you’d say that, but if he baulks at the timeline, make sure he understands this is coming out regardless. And better if it’s our version than Kaminsky’s.”
Pete, Doug, and Danny gave her some privacy. Alone, she tried to order her thoughts, but they wouldn’t get in line. Shit, shit, shit. All their plans. She dialled Cash’s number without a clue how to begin.
“Hi, sweetness,” he said. “How’s London?”
“Wet,” she said.
“It’s twenty-five degrees here today.”
“All right, don’t rub it in.”
Cash chuckled. “Don’t worry. You’ll be back here in a few hours. Tell me, what was so important you had to go all the way to London?”
Tally closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “There’s been a leak,” she blurted.
“Leak?” Cash sounded confused. Then he inhaled sharply. “Fuck. It’s out?”
“No. Not yet. Pete has managed to put a lid on it, but that won’t last long. He wants to publish tomorrow.”
Tally expected a vociferous argument, but Cash was silent. She thought they’d lost the connection, but then she heard him sigh.
“Whatever he thinks is best.” His tone was quiet and considered with a tinge of defeat.
Tally’s heart squeezed. “There’s no time for me to review following Pete’s edit. Are you okay with that?”
A bitter laugh sounded down the phone. “No, I’m not fucking okay with that. But what other choice do we have?”
“None,” she said quietly.
“Do you know how it got out?”
A twinge of anxiety chewed at her insides. “Let’s talk when I get back tonight.”
He must have sensed her stalling because he paused. “What time’s your flight?” he eventually said.
“I’m heading back to Heathrow right now. I should be with you by eight.”
He sighed again. “I guess I’d better brief everyone here and get Kinga onto the sponsors. Isaac will pick you up. Call me when you land.”
Tally hung up and opened Pete’s door, ushering everyone back in. “We’re on. I hope you’re going to do
something about Kaminsky.”
Pete made a slashing movement across his throat. “She’s done.”
“Good.” Tally shook Doug’s hand. “Thank you, Mr Chavant. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.” She kissed Pete on the cheek but couldn’t quite bring herself to do the same to Danny.
“I’ll call you,” Tally said to Pete.
She closed the door and was halfway across the office when Danny shouted, “Tally, please, can we talk?”
As a few interested parties raised their heads, she signalled for him to follow her outside.
“I’m so sorry.”
She pressed the button for the lift. “I can’t believe you did that.”
His shoulders dropped. “I can’t believe it either. Please just give me five minutes. Let’s get a coffee.”
The lift doors opened, and she stepped inside. “Five minutes,” she said as Danny followed her.
He sat opposite Tally in the coffee shop across the road from the paper, the skin bunched around his eyes as though he were in pain, and although she didn’t like seeing him so upset, she was more concerned with how to tell Cash, especially as he’d voiced his concerns about extending his story beyond the two of them.
“So what happened?”
Danny lifted his eyes to hers. “I don’t know where to begin.”
“What exactly did you tell Luke?”
Danny shook his head. “Not much.”
“But enough?”
“So it seems.” He gave a long, low sigh, his mouth downturned in sadness. His eyes were brim-full of unshed tears, and he furiously blinked them away before they had a chance to fall. “Pete’s furious and he’s got every right to be. I’m just thankful he hasn’t sacked me as well as Kaminsky. I’m so sorry, Tal.”
She curved her hands around her mug of coffee. “I know you are, but jeez, Danny, I wish you’d kept your trap shut for a few more days.”
Danny lowered his chin to his chest. “Can you ever forgive me?”
She blew a breath through her nose. “Danny, we’ve been friends for a long time. You screwing up doesn’t change that, but I could honestly strangle you right now.”
Losing Game: A Winning Ace Novel (Book 2) Page 14