Free Forever My Soldier (Love Conquers Life Book 3) by Alison Mello

text from Carter.
     
    Carter: Today was my last appointment for a month. Want to celebrate?
     
    Patty: What do you have in mind?
     
    Carter: How about a romantic dinner for two?
     
    Patty: Sounds good to me!
     
    Carter: Great, I’ll make the reservations.
     
    I walk through the door, and Joan’s secretary tells me that she’s finishing up another meeting and to have a seat. I sit with my pad in hand, looking at Facebook from my phone while I wait. I suddenly hear two women laughing as the doors to her office open and two reporters come walking out. I don’t recognize the woman, but I’ve seen the man. He was one of the reporters standing outside of Carter’s place.
    I bite the inside of my lip as I wonder if Joan is the one feeding them information on my life and where I’m staying. I got a phone call the other day from a reporter who wanted to do a story on my life and the stuff that I went through with Ben. I instantly rejected her and told her to never call me again.
    I rise as Joan approaches. She air kisses my cheek and asks me how I’m doing. I tell her I’m well, and I follow her into her office.
    We both take a seat at the table, and I open my padfolio ready to take notes. “Do you know when the publisher wants to get the book out?”
    “They want to move rather quickly. They want to have it out before Valentine’s Day. We’re going to promote it as the love story to read this Valentine’s.” She has a look of such pride on her face.
    “You do realize that’s only about nine weeks away?”
    “I do, and I’ve already sent it over to the publisher. They’re making it their top priority”
    My brows shoot up as I realize that means I’ll have the first round of edits in about a week’s time. “I really didn’t want to stress over editing and such until after the holiday was done.”
    “I’m sorry, but we’ve already set the timeline. You’ll have the first edits next week.”
    I nod, knowing full well she’s done after this book. She never ran any of this by me, and I’m not okay with that. I want an agent who is going to be a team player, not one who worries about her pocket.
    “Fine. I’ll watch for the first round to come through next week. Now, what about signings? Have you scheduled those yet?”
    “I have you doing one on February thirteenth so your readers can have your books by Valentine’s Day, and then I have one scheduled for the following weekend. We have also put you in a rather large one at a hotel that will have a ton of authors there. It will be a huge event for you.”
    “Okay. Just email me all the details, and I’ll schedule my stuff around it.”
    She nods, making a note to email me with the information. “You’ll have it this afternoon.”
    “Great. Is there anything else we need to discuss?”
    “Yes, I have one more thing I would like for you to do.”
    “What’s that?”
    “I would like for you to do the interview with the media. Give them your story and what happened with you and Ben.”
    I put my hand up to stop her. “I will do no such thing.”
    “Patricia, you have no idea how good this will be for you. This is amazing publicity, and it’s free.”
    “Mr. Mancini has been put through enough. I will not drag him through anymore by bashing his only child on live TV.” My eyes go wide. “You sent the media to Carter’s house, didn’t you?”
    She suddenly looks flustered. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
    “Yes, you do. That’s why you can’t even look me in the eye. How could you, Joan?” I take a deep breath, trying to compose myself. “I don’t mind you telling them what events I’ll be at and what causes I’m helping support, but to tell them where I’m staying so they get in my face about such a tragic event is unacceptable.”
    “You don’t know what you’re talking about. You have no proof it was me.”
    “There were only eight people who knew where I was staying, and you’re the only one with