“She didn’t say anything about us having a relationship, did she?” I growled. “We do not have a relationship.”

Angelica tilted her head. “False termination. She said she’s the one who’s managed your career and you misled her into believing she was going to be your manager . . . and your wife.” Angelica shrugged, her face apologetic.

“Well, she’s never going to be either. That’s why I fired her.” Christ. My hands balled into fists and I inhaled slowly only to exhale more slowly. My heart rate remained too rapid.

The situation here, with Ella and the baby, was tenuous. I pressed my thumbs to my eye sockets.

“I appreciate the heads-up.”

Angelica dropped her hand to my shoulder. “You’re not the first person Monique’s hurt. You probably won’t be the last.”

I dropped my hands and shook out my arms, causing Angelica’s hand to fall from my body. I didn’t want her touch. I wanted Ella’s, and I wasn’t sure she’d ever touch me for comfort again. “Thanks, again. I’ll talk to Jon about all this.”

Angelica nodded, but she looked abashed. “Um. About that.”

“What did you do?”

“Well . . . Jon and I are now aware you hadn’t been looped in on the decision-making these past few months.” She shrugged, her eyes darting toward Jeremiah, who’d lifted his head to listen with more interest.

“We’re sifting through all of Monique and Gerard’s messages, and so far we know the two of them changed your schedule and added tour dates to your calendar without first getting your sign off. We also have a correspondence between them suggesting that the added tours, the time away from your family, might get Ella out of the picture. Nothing definitive yet on their involvement in those nasty divorce papers showing up, but I’m pretty sure I’ll find the connection.”

Marsha let out a small, startled gasp, and Dave grunted, shoving his feet forward hard against the tile. Philip laid his arm across the back of the next chair.

“Probably best you fired the woman,” Philip said. “And doesn’t sound like she has much of a case.”

Angelica turned a megawatt grin at Philip who blinked a couple of times.

No, Angelica, we don’t like him.

“Exactly. That’s what my staff and I are working on now.”

I didn’t know whether to strangle the young woman or hug her. I settled for a brief nod.

“Shouldn’t take long to sort out. Monique wants the attention—notoriety—she knows she isn’t going to win the case, but she wouldn’t be opposed to a fat settlement.” Angelica drew herself up and scowled. “Which I’ve been assured by both Jon and legal that she will not be getting.” She cleared her throat, her eyes darting around the room before she smiled and turned on her heel.