CHAPTER 29
The gentle sounds of guitar strings coupled with brilliant sunlight, woke Sterling a few hours later. Kate sat on a low chair across from the couch, humming and scratching a pencil across paper. She glanced across when he stirred, catching his eye. The lines on her face gave away her weariness. Her exhaustion. She gave him a small smile. “Morning. Coffee?”
He raised a hand. “Don’t trouble yourself. I’ll grab some.”
“Cash is in the kitchen.”
Shaking the cobwebs from his head, he stood, following his nose to the coffee pot. Cash handed him a steaming mug. “So I take it this isn’t a social call?”
“Nope.”
Cash pushed off the counter and stalked out of the kitchen. “Let’s get this over with then.”
Sterling followed him and settled himself back on the couch, taking in the view. No wonder Cash had bought the place. There was a serenity in the view that calmed the rough places in his soul.
Cash stood in the corner, staring out the window, back ramrod straight. Tension radiated off him in waves. Sterling shifted his attention back to Kate who looked equally ill at ease. But he hadn’t driven all night long for awkward silences. He’d fix this for Emma, or die trying. “Emma didn’t post your video. She’d never do that. Not in a million years. The ranch means too much to her. Her devices got stolen the day of the baseball game. Whoever nabbed them hacked them.”
Cash spun, giving Sterling a hard look as he whipped out his phone. “Those sons of bitches picked the wrong people to fuck with,” he growled. Cash disappeared into the kitchen and returned a minute later. “I’ve got people working on reverse tracing the IP addresses from the video.
Sterling stared at him. “You can do that?”
Cash’s eyes grew flinty. “And a whole lot more.”
An idea struck him. “Do you know about the other videos?”
“What other videos?” Cash grumbled, shoulders bunching.
“Some douchenozzle who I would dearly love to strangle, posted videos of Emma and Alex Jordan in… er… compromising positions.”
Kate gasped, covering her mouth. “Have you seen them?”
“Never,” Sterling spat. “I don’t ever want to see them. But I want to nail the motherfucker who did this.”
Cash gave him a cold smile. “I have people who may be able to help.” He disappeared down the hall.
Sterling cleared his throat. “I have an idea about how to fix everything and I’m hoping you’ll hear me out?”
Kate regarded him steadily through tired eyes, then nodded. His gut clenched. She looked like she’d given up, and he hated seeing that. “First. I have a friend with a friend–”
Cash made a scoffing noise as he returned, this time with the coffee pot. “Did Kate tell you that her agent is suing her for breach of contract even though she fired him last fall?”
Sterling raised his cup, accepting a refill. The prevalence of assholes in the world never ceased to amaze him. “I’m not shitting you, Kate. On my honor. I have a friend who is connected to a shark of a lawyer in Hollywood. Represents movie stars in disputes. If your agent is wrongly suing you–”
“He is.”
“If you feel your agent is wrongly suing you, she will take your case pro bono as a favor to my friend.”
Kaycee made a doubtful noise. “Forgive my suspicion.”
“I understand. You don’t know who to trust. If you like, you can talk to my friend Jason first. He’ll be returning to the ranch as part of the first program just before the concert, and I can assure you, he’s solid.”
She still looked dubious, but nodded her head.
“What else,” Cash growled.
“In return, I would ask that you drop your suit against Emma. Royal Fountain sacked her because of the Alex Jordan videos.”
Kate chewed on her lip.
“Look.” Sterling held up his phone. “Your video went viral. It’s had over four million views since it was posted yesterday. And read the comments. People love it. They want more.” He took a deep breath. “I know Emma asked you to sing at the concert. Is there any chance you’d reconsider?”
Worry pulled at her face.
Sterling held up his hands. “Even just a few songs? As a gift to the donors supporting the ranch. Think of it as a no-pressure opportunity for you to get your feet back under you.” He waved the phone. “You already have proof people will love it.”
“But the security…” her voice trailed off uncertainly as she cast a fear-filled look at Cash.
“I won’t let you out of my sight for a second,” he growled.
“I can work with Travis and Weston to manage the paparazzi.” Winning this little victory suddenly took on much more weight. “Whatever it takes. I know it would mean a lot to the ranch if you would consider joining the concert. And to Emma too,” he added after a pause. “And I’m sure if you give her the chance, Emma would help you with the media. Make a press release, or anything else you want.” He wasn’t even sure Emma would speak to him ever again. But he was convinced if Kate asked for help, she’d give it. She’d never turn her back on anyone.
Sterling’s heart twisted. He’d turned his back on her. Never again. What had Travis said about moment by moment? If he could manage to let his love for Emma be the guiding force of this moment, that would be a step forward. If he could salvage this for her, afford her a tiny victory, maybe it would be a tiny victory for him too. And maybe someday she’d come to forgive him, even if she never spoke to him again.
Kate looked up at Cash, and they exchanged a meaningful glance.
Sterling shifted uncomfortably. Was his presence here an intrusion? Kate looked between the two of them, and rolled back her shoulders, suddenly looking determined. “Can you get me a microphone and a laptop?”
For the first time in a long time, hope flickered in his chest. “Anything.”
“I’ll do it.”