The Risks we take

Thirty

Sloane

I have never wanted to go back to a hotel room so badly. Reed was right. I was needy. So, fucking needy right now. I needed more of him. Not even him inside of me, though, I would not be turning it down should the option present itself. I just wanted him. Me and him alone with his hands on more than my thigh under the table.

I needed to lay my head on his chest and tell him about the last 2 weeks and me turning down all the guys when we were out and working from the office here and about Eden's new boyfriend and his wife. Because that was a development I learned too. And I wanted him to tell me about his work and what he'd done whilst I was away, what he'd cooked and how his date with Paige had been and how Logan had been when he got home because I was not afraid about shitting on him if he'd been an ass.

"I smell of you." He leaned over as the presenters took the stage after dinner, the room breaking into loud applause. I smiled, rolling my lips together as I reached for my glass. "Are you still taking your meds?" I shook my head. Lord knows I could have done with them. But the alcohol had been too sweet the past 2 weeks. It hadn't just numbed everything, it had helped me sleep too. It was just easier than dealing with everything. "Don't drink too much Princess, I need you sober."

The room fell silent, mutters, turning to gasps and talking, gossiping quickly.

"What's going on?" My mum lifted her head trying to see over the crowd.

"Oi. Sloane." My head looked at either side

"Paige?"

"Now."

"Now?" I looked between her and Reed who was grinning like an idiot.

"Yes. If you want Calvin to see it. You have to do it now, come on." She pulled on my chair back.

"Where are you going? Sloane sit-"

"I need to announce something. I'll be quick. Not embarrassing any of us I swear. Paige authorized it." She gave my parents a quick wave and escorted me over to the stage where Logan was already stood talking to the presenters, slipping them a USB.

"Saw you and Reed sneaking off earlier." She smirked, looking me over to make sure I wasn't about to collapse under the pressure. "Had fun?"

"No comment." I bit down on my lip, holding back a giggle as she nodded. "What's all the commotion anyway?"

"Police just walked in. I called my contact at the embassy and rather than waiting until he gets off the plane in Washington tomorrow, they're just going to arrest Calvin now I managed to get them to wait a few minutes but I bet he's working out what's happening and he'll try run so you need to get up there now." She pushed me slightly and I took a deep breath. Easy. We'd written this speech out. We'd gone over it. Paige and Logan and Drew and Eden had all looked at it. You know it by heart.

I tapped my fingers on the microphone, looking out at a crowd of 1000 people and instantly regretting not taking my meds. Strong Sloane. You have to look strong. Unaffected. Nothing Calvin has done has given you a weakness. You are strong. Unbelievably strong.

"Sorry, everyone, I know there's obviously an elephant in the room and I would like to ease everyone's curiosity." I went on to explain, without too much detail, about me purchasing Rise, how it had come to happen, what I'd been doing, what my plans had been for the rest of the year. And then, with my eyes settled firmly on Calvin across the room.

That man didn't give 2 fucks about who I was or how hard I worked. Just that my mum and him didn't work and he needed her to be miserable so was going to hurt everyone around her until she was. He didn't care about his son either. Was more than happy to leave Reed without a job over this whole thing. Would rather save his own pride than support his son.

"As I'm sure you've all read about the sale of Rise Weekly by now. But in all honesty, it's still under my hold. So is The Chicago Sentinel, The Early Bird Register, The Nova Chronicles, Tranquillity Monthly, Apex Reviews and the Industry Gazette. I have been collecting these names under an Alias over the past 4 years. And as much as I wanted to share my success with everyone, keeping this under my wraps has proved to be useful when no other than Calvin Lawson set a plan to try and remove the Windsor name from the American market. Though I am unable to disclose the details because of the trial I'm sure Mr. Lawson will be put through. I would like to make this perfectly clear to everyone in this room but especially Mr. Lawson. Do not underestimate me, I will take you for every penny to your name. I cannot be manipulated or lied to and I will not allow you to drag me or my family through the dirty over a petty rivalry." The police pulled him to his feet and I took a step back from the microphone, watching as he shouted for Reed to help him, have his back. But Reed stayed sat, watching me, his eyes didn't leave me for a second as his father made a fool of himself. "Oh. Before it gets out anyway and people make a big deal about it. I'm in a relationship with Reed Lawson. Okay. That's all, thanks."

I sat back down at my table, ignoring the stares and whispers from around the room. I was done hiding how I felt about Reed. I spent too much time trying to get over him and then 2 weeks not being able to be with him. I just want to be in it and I can only do that if we can go out and actually see each other without trying to avoid cameras.

"You told them all." Reed pulled his chair up closer to me, lifting my legs onto his. I shrugged.

"The benefits outweigh the risks."

"What risks?"

"That you'll leave." Reed ran a thumb over my cheek. "I'd rather be able to have you like this for a night than have a month of us behind closed doors."

"Good job you can have it permanently then isn't it? You think I'm letting someone else have you? After 5 years? You've got to be joking. I would rather light myself on fire and-"

"Drink a Liter of gasoline." Reed scrunched his face together with a smile and I swear, I was going to combust. I am stupidly in love with this man. He leaned forward, nose brushing against mine.

"Ahem." I turned my head to my dad staring with raised eyebrows. "Don't make me throw up the dinner I just ate. I enjoyed eating it the first time, don't think the second would be as nice."

"Thanks for the mood killer dad. Really appreciate it."