Drake Sisters 05 - Safe Harbor

with details.
    You can't get so upset, Jonas. There are going to be pictures. The horrible little rag magazines must be having a field day . She suppressed a sob, but not before he caught it in his mind as she turned her head away from him.
    "Screw the reporters, Hannah. I can deal with them. We're making arrangements to get you home as soon as the hospital gives us the word. Your sisters and aunts are taking turns coming in to help speed your recovery throughout the day so no one gets worn out, but they can heal you much faster at home. We'll be out of here in no time."
    And he would be able to control the security around her much more easily.
    The brisk tap on the door had Hannah cringing. Her agent, Greg Simpson, brushed past Jonas without a glance and leaned down to air kiss the top of Hannah's head.
    "They wouldn't let me in until today, Hannah. This is terrible. So terrible. Who would do such a brutal, unforgivable thing? The reporters won't leave me alone. I've had to give so many interviews, I'm losing my voice."
    Hannah didn't turn her head back toward her agent, but lay very still, almost frozen.
    Jonas felt her heightened tension and distress and reached around Simpson to take her bandage-wrapped hand. She curled her fingers around his.
    "Say no."
    Simpson whirled around as if just noticing Jonas's presence. "What?" he asked stiffly, frowning at the hand-holding.
    "You could say no to the press conferences. Tell them to go to hell. They're circling like vultures."
    "Of course they are. Hannah is known and loved the world over. Everyone wants to know how she is—if she's going to live—if she can take her place in the fashion world again. It's big news. You must have seen all the flowers and cards and well-wishers."
    Jonas felt a small tremor run through Hannah. "She's very loved," he admitted, wanting her to know he was aware of the adulation from around the world.
    "So of course she needs to say a few words to reassure her fans. I can select the reporters who have been good to her, the caring ones…"
    Hannah shuddered and made a small sound of dismay in his mind. She didn't turn her head or look at her agent.
    Jonas stood up, forcing Simpson to back up a step. "So you're here to check on whether Hannah is up to a press conference. No, she's not. She won't be talking to reporters. And we're not bringing photographers into the room either."
    "There's no need to get angry, Mister… Who are you anyway?"
    "I'm Hannah's fiancé." When Hannah's mind reached out to his in shocked reaction, Jonas bent to bring her fingers to his mouth. Don't worry, baby, I'm not going to carry you off yet. I'm just getting rid of this worm for you .
    For the first time, there was a ghost of a smile answering in his mind. He is a bit of a worm. But he's the real deal when it comes to getting the jobs .
    He's a publicity hound.
    "Hannah doesn't have a fiancé. I would have known about it."
    "And somehow the news would have gotten leaked to the press."
    "The press is part of Hannah's life." Simpson looked suddenly sad, mouth drooping, eyes like a lost puppy's. "Although I can't see how our Hannah will ever recover the incredible good looks that have made her into such a star. My God." Both hands fluttered, went to his face in distress. "He slashed her to ribbons."
    Hannah's body jerked as if someone had shot her. Her reaction was physical as well as mental, pulling away from Jonas, refusing to look at either of them.
    Simpson paced across the room, avoiding Jonas as he frowned and rubbed his palms up and down his chest. "I'll have to do damage control on the accounts. There're so many of them. The cosmetic company, the perfume. We were in negotiations for a major chain with a brand of clothing. I'll have to get someone geared up for a takeover or we'll lose it all. You have people counting on you. Have you spoken with the plastic surgeon yet? Was he able to put your face back together when they operated?"
    "Get. The. Hell. Out." Jonas enunciated each word between clenched teeth.
    "No. No. You don't understand. You think I'm not compassionate, but that's my job to put aside emotions and keep Hannah's business going. I'm responsible for cleaning up this mess."
    "You're responsible for getting her into it," Jonas snarled, knowing he was being unfair. "She shouldn't have been there in the first place. Get the hell out of here and leave us alone."
    "I'll be back, Hannah, when you're more yourself and we can talk about this,"
    Simpson