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I rushed out and yanked the door shut.
Ten minutes later, I stood in the dining hall in front of all the guests. They occupied chairs at the tables, and all of them wore clothes thanks to Ollie convincing them it was the smart thing to do under the circumstances. Everyone watched me and waited to hear what I would say. Fabulous. I had to come up with a reassuring and inspiring speech that would convince everyone I hadn't fucked up royally. No problem.
Rolling my shoulders back, I lifted my chin and began. "Thank you all for being so patient. I know you're wondering what's going on. Ollie told you a little about it, but I need to explain exactly what's happened and what we—" I hesitated for a split second, realizing I'd used the word we, implying I had a partner. "What I am doing to ensure your privacy and security. Nothing matters more to me than providing a safe and comfortable environment for all of my guests."
I paused, scanning the crowd to gauge their reactions. No one glared at me, so I figured I was okay for the moment.
"The sheriff's department has been informed," I said, "and they are sending deputies. The state police are also sending two troopers. That's all they can spare, but I doubt we'll need more. The people trying to get into the resort are tabloid reporters who want a juicy story. We are not going to give it to them."
"Why are they here?" someone asked.
The voice originated from the rear of the dining hall, and I couldn't see the speaker's face through the crowd.
I didn't want to tell them Val had been the bait that lured the paparazzi here. I still didn't know how they'd found out he was here. Until I could tell them that, I would not mention Val's connection to the craziness about to descend on us.
"Because of me," a voice behind me said. Val's words echoed through the dining hall. "This is happening because of me."
My heartbeat sped up as I swiveled my head to glance at him. He wore clothes, dark-blue jeans and a conservative tan shirt. He looked edible as always, but I couldn't muster any lust. His expression made sure of that. Sorrow was the best description of what I saw in his eyes.
"You all know about my past," he said from just inside the doorway. Though he spoke to everyone, his gaze remained locked on mine. "I've never tried to hide it, and in spite of my past behavior, you have welcomed me into your family. I'm very grateful for that. I wish I could turn back time and make it so what's happening today never happened, but I can't. All I can do is make sure no one else is harmed by it."
I clutched my hands over my belly, my body rotating toward him like it had a mind of its own. The look on his face, it pierced straight into my heart. My throat went thick. My mouth went dry. I had a sinking feeling I knew what he would say next.
"That's why I'm leaving," he said. "To protect you."
He was talking to me.
I swallowed hard, but my throat got thicker, tighter, constricted by a terrible emotion I couldn't quite name. He was leaving me. For my own good. Just a few minutes ago, I'd wondered whether I should continue our relationship. He'd made the decision for me.
All the guests jumped up and swarmed us, babbling things I couldn't understand. My focus had telescoped down to me and Val. Nothing else got through the haze of a new, colder shock and the pain that swept in behind it.
Guests asked me questions that I tried to answer as fully and honestly as I could. Noise outside made some of them run to the windows. I could see vehicles pulling up between my home and the guest house, people tumbling out of them even as others ran up the driveway and through the open gate. There hadn't been much point in closing the gate. It had no lock, and besides, the paparazzi could've climbed over it.
By the time I'd fielded all the questions and the group had settled down, Val was gone.
I hurried outside, arriving as the sheriff's deputies drove up in one vehicle and the state troopers in another. Talking to them took more time. I kept glancing back at the house, wondering if Val was in there or if he'd already left. The paparazzi tried to surround me, but the law enforcement officers forced them back and escorted me toward the house. I noticed Val's truck parked behind the house as usual, so he hadn't left yet.
The paparazzi rushed for the door of the house.
I hopped onto my tiptoes, craning my neck to see what they had seen.
Val had stepped out of the house carrying his suitcase. He held up a hand to quiet the crowd. Once they settled down, cameras raised and mics positioned, he said, "I'm leaving."
Several voices shouted complaints.
Val held up his hand again. He grinned and said, "Follow me back to LA, and I promise you'll get a better show than anything you'll see here."
He winked and trotted toward his truck.
That grin and wink had been totally fake. Sure, his act had been a stellar performance. Nobody else would've noticed the slight clues to his true emotional state. He was luring the paparazzi away from this place, away from me.
I wanted to run after him, kiss him, tell him he didn't have to do this.
My feet wouldn't budge. It wouldn't have made a difference if I could've moved. Val wanted to be the hero who saved me and my business from shame and ruination. Maybe it was for the best. What we had might not have lasted.
Bullshit, a voice in my head snarled.
I ran toward his truck, ran as fast as I could, shoving paparazzi out of the way, elbowing the ones who hissed nasty curses at me. By the time I'd plowed my way through the crowd, Val's truck was gone. I couldn't even see it rolling down the driveway. He'd taken off, kicking up a cloud of dust in his wake.
