Chapter 82

But despite this statement, I can’t avoid a growing terror. I can’t control the media, and if investors think Marcus is toxic, all my efforts will blow away like dandelion fluff.

“I didn’t mean—” Trent starts.

“No!” The word bursts out unthinking, hot and panicked.

“Gabriela.” Marcus’s voice is quiet and steady. “Tell him you have to hang up. We’ll be in Los Angeles soon. You are not going to lose the resort. Don’t even think that.”

Through my headset, I hear Trent clear his throat.

“Gabriela?”

“I have to hang up,” I say mechanically.

“Yeah, well, there’s something else. The Round-Up isn’t the only outlet that’s published. They were just first.”

“I know. You told me.”

“Yeah, but I mean they’re not just repeating that he’s a suspect. They’re also speculating about motive and all that.”

My stomach lurches, and I reach for Marcus’s hand.

“Motive?” I fight the urge to bite my bottom lip.

“The movie. The assault. Pre