Preston narrows his eyes. “Summer Bennett... any relation with Sebastian Bennett of Bennett Enterprises?”
“I’m his sister.”
Preston nods. “Okay, if that’s really what both of you want, I’ll share with you the security protocols.”
“Security protocols?” Wow. That’s something my family has never needed, even at the height of the media’s interest in us.
“How to go unseen when you’re together and the press shows up, or if you want to visit him while he’s on the promo tour, a few tactics about avoiding fans—”
“Let’s take this one step at a time,” Alex says coolly. “Don’t scare my girl away.”
It’s my turn to reassure him now. I squeeze his hand, rolling my shoulders. “I’m not scared. Just surprised. I didn’t realize you had protocols. Please, tell me everything I need to know.”
Preston levels me with his gaze. “The most important thing is you can’t tell anyone until the month after the premiere.”
“This doesn’t include my family, right?”
“Yes, it does,” says Preston, at the same time Alex says, “No.”
Standing up, I pace the room. “Look, I won’t tell anyone else, but I can’t keep this from my family. I’m too close to them.”
“How big is your family?” Preston inquires.
“Depends if you count only those related by blood or those who married into my family too, but you’re looking at double digits anyway.”
He drops his head in his hands. “You two are going to kill me.”
“I trust them with my life. They wouldn’t tell anyone,” I reassure him.
Preston sighs, straightening up in the armchair. “The more people know, the more chances of a slipup.”
“Preston, move on. She’s telling her family. No negotiating.”
Preston checks his watch. “We don’t have time for a full debrief on protocols. I’ll set up a phone call with you, Summer. Alex and I need to board that plane. He’ll give me your contact data.”
“Okay, sure.”
Preston stands to his feet, looking expectantly at Alex.
“You go ahead, Preston. Wait for me at the reception.”
“Don’t be late. You’ve got ten minutes tops.”
“I won’t be late,” Alex says.
“It was nice meeting you, Summer. Sorry about the circumstances.”
“Don’t worry, Preston. We’ll take care of our superstar.”
Smiling, he shakes my hand firmly, but his shoulders hunch as he leaves the room.
“So, did that go as expected?” I ask Alex.
He chuckles. “More or less. He’ll get used to it.”
I lean my back against the wall, my fingers tapping the cool surface. “But—”
“I don’t want to talk about Preston.”