Reese Ryan - Secrets Of The A-List

Money can’t buy happiness—but it might buy silence

Yet another bombshell is dropped on the Marshalls, one that threatens to change everything. But there’s no time to dwell on it with Elana and Thom’s engagement party in full swing. So why is Mariella more focused on handsome family friend Joe than on the happy couple?

As if the Fixer doesn’t have enough to worry about, especially with Thom threatening to reveal all. Time to seal those loose lips. After all, what’s a party without blackmail?

Super Rich. Super Sexy. Super Addictive.

Secrets of the A-List—read all 12 episodes!

Secrets of the A-List (Episode 4 of 12)

Reese Ryan

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Praise for Reese Ryan Contents Cover Back Cover Text Title Page Praise About the Author Episode Four Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Copyright

“Both characters are strong, and their relationship develops naturally, without any force or pretense. Readers will enjoy sharing their bumpy ride to their happy ending.”

—Publishers Weekly on Playing with Desire

About the Author Contents Cover Back Cover Text Title Page Praise About the Author Episode Four Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Copyright

REESE RYAN usually writes sexy, contemporary romance featuring colorful characters and sinfully sweet romances. She challenges her heroines with family and career drama, reformed bad boys, revealed secrets and the occasional identity crisis, but always rewards them with a well-earned happy ending.

A native of The Land (Cleveland, Ohio), Reese resides in North Carolina, where she carefully treads the line between being a Southerner and a Yankee, despite her insistence on calling soda “pop.” She gauges her progress by the number of “bless your lil’ hearts” she receives each week. She is currently down to two.

Reese is an avid reader with a to-be-read stack that resembles a small skyscraper, and a music lover with a serious thing for brilliant singer/songwriters and an incurable addiction to Broadway soundtracks and film scores. Connect with Reese via Instagram, Facebook or reeseryan.com.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Money can’t buy happiness—but it might buy silence Yet another bombshell is dropped on the Marshalls, one that threatens to change everything. But there’s no time to dwell on it with Elana and Thom’s engagement party in full swing. So why is Mariella more focused on handsome family friend Joe than on the happy couple? As if the Fixer doesn’t have enough to worry about, especially with Thom threatening to reveal all. Time to seal those loose lips. After all, what’s a party without blackmail? Super Rich. Super Sexy. Super Addictive. Secrets of the A-List—read all 12 episodes!

Title Page Secrets of the A-List (Episode 4 of 12) Reese Ryan www.millsandboon.co.uk

Praise Praise for Reese Ryan Contents Cover Back Cover Text Title Page Praise About the Author Episode Four Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Copyright “Both characters are strong, and their relationship develops naturally, without any force or pretense. Readers will enjoy sharing their bumpy ride to their happy ending.” —Publishers Weekly on Playing with Desire

About the Author About the Author Contents Cover Back Cover Text Title Page Praise About the Author Episode Four Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Copyright REESE RYAN usually writes sexy, contemporary romance featuring colorful characters and sinfully sweet romances. She challenges her heroines with family and career drama, reformed bad boys, revealed secrets and the occasional identity crisis, but always rewards them with a well-earned happy ending. A native of The Land (Cleveland, Ohio), Reese resides in North Carolina, where she carefully treads the line between being a Southerner and a Yankee, despite her insistence on calling soda “pop.” She gauges her progress by the number of “bless your lil’ hearts” she receives each week. She is currently down to two. Reese is an avid reader with a to-be-read stack that resembles a small skyscraper, and a music lover with a serious thing for brilliant singer/songwriters and an incurable addiction to Broadway soundtracks and film scores. Connect with Reese via Instagram, Facebook or reeseryan.com .

Episode Four Episode Four The Fixer isn’t always polite when secrets need to be kept—and he’s already given Thom a chance to follow the rules. Will Thom take it—or will permanent steps need to be taken to keep the groom-to-be silent forever?

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Copyright

Episode Four

The Fixer isn’t always polite when secrets need to be kept—and he’s already given Thom a chance to follow the rules. Will Thom take it—or will permanent steps need to be taken to keep the groom-to-be silent forever?

Chapter One

“Hang up the phone. Now.”

Thom watched the Fixer’s lips silently shape the words.

Thom loosened his slim gray Armani silk tie and cleared his throat, his heart beating faster.

“Thom? Thom, what is it? What’s going on? You’re freaking me out right now.” The high, tight pitch of Elana’s voice brought him back to her.

“Sorry, Elana, I have to go. I’ll call you back in a few minutes.” Thom locked eyes with the Fixer, who was nodding approval.

“But Thom, you can’t just say something like that and then go. Seriously, what the—”

Thom ended the call in the middle of Elana’s frantic protest. He shoved his phone into his inside pocket and folded his arms as he widened his stance.

“I know you overheard my conversation. You’re a smart guy, so I know you’ve figured out that I’m the Fixer. But that information needs to stay between us.”

“Why would I keep this from my fiancée?”

“Telling Elana would be a mistake. One you don’t want to make.”

The situation was awkward, but not dangerous. It wasn’t as if he were dealing with a stranger. No reason for him to feel intimidated, despite the stern look on the Fixer’s face.

“You threatening me?” Thom folded his arms and lengthened his spine to his full height, his chin jutting out. “That is what you do, isn’t it?”

Chuckling softly, the Fixer’s stance softened. “Why would I do that when there’s a much better option?”

Thom’s shoulders relaxed. “Which is?”

Leaning in to straighten Thom’s tie, the Fixer’s mouth curved in a soft smile. Now the Fixer’s face was inches from his. “A proposition.”

Does he know?

The family hadn’t learned much about the Fixer, but Elana had told him they knew the Fixer dealt in secrets. Powerful secrets that could bring a man or his empire to its knees.

Thom studied the Fixer’s face as he stepped back. The eyes he once considered to be kind now seemed dark and menacing. The smile that typically exuded warmth and compassion was suddenly cold and manipulative.

Had everything he’d believed been wrong, or was this the deception? Was the Fixer testing him, or was this something more? Something completely unexpected?

Thom swallowed hard. “What kind of proposition are you talking about?”

“Wait...you thought I meant you and me?” The Fixer laughed, as if it were the most absurd thing ever heard. “Don’t be ridiculous, Thom. You’re in love with Elana, about to be a married man.” The Fixer smiled again. “What I’m offering is far better. Something you wouldn’t think of refusing.”