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

connections to the media who would have a reason to tell them where I’m at.” I stand from my seat, taking my padfolio with me. I open the door but then turn back to see a shocked Joan sitting at her table. I shout, “You’re fired. This is the last contract I will fulfill with you, and you better believe I will be going to Elizabeth about this.
    “You wouldn’t do that.”
    “Oh, you better believe I will. You crossed a line, and God knows how many other lines you’ve crossed.”
    I step out the door, and I hear Elizabeth ask, “What are you coming to me about?”
    I grin because I was going to call her as soon as I got in the car in hopes of getting to her before Joan did. “Joan has crossed a line that I cannot forgive. I have fired her as my agent. I’ll fulfill this book deal with you, but I want out.”
    “Please come to my office. I would like to talk in private.” She turns to Joan and says, “Don’t you think about going anywhere.”
    She turns on her heels, and I follow her to her beautiful back office. She closes the door behind us and says, “Patricia, please tell me what’s going on.”
    “Elizabeth, I have no problem with you going to the media about events I’m attending or causes I’m supporting, but that woman told the media where I was staying and had them stalking me outside so they could get the scoop on what happened with Ben.” I’m pacing because I’m livid that this woman would do this. I mean, Christ, I hadn’t even had a chance to move past it yet. “Now she wants me to do an interview with them and give them the full story on what has happened. I will not do it. His father is a family friend, and I will not drag him through any more.”
    “Say no more. I can see you’re upset, and you have every right to be. You’re right; she crossed the line and she will be dealt with. Please work with me instead. I don’t want to lose you as an author.”
    “I’ll think about it, but I need some flexibility over release dates as well. I can’t believe she has the publisher pushing my book out for February. That’s a really quick turnaround.”
    “Why are they pushing it so quickly?”
    “They want it to be ‘ The love story to read this Valentine’s Day.’ Her words, not mine.”
    She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath as she tries to control her frustration. “I’m sorry, Patricia. Do you want me to push it out further? I will make a call.”
    “No, she’s already set up all of my signings. Leave it be. In the future, I would like my release date approved by me first.”
    “Fair enough,” she says, holding out her hand to me. “I’m taking over your account effective immediately.” She picks up the phone. “Joan, bring me all of Patricia’s files right now.” She hangs up, not giving Joan a chance to respond.
    A minute later, she walks into Elizabeth’s office, shaking, and hands her my files. “You’re dismissed,” Elizabeth says as she opens the latest file.
    “Sure. I’ll be in my office working on…”
    Elizabeth holds up her hand, cutting her off. “You misunderstand. You’re dismissed, as in you’re fired. You cannot treat my clients the way you’ve treated Patricia. I won’t allow it, and she’s not the first complaint I’ve gotten.”
    Joan tries to stammer her way through a plea, but it doesn’t work.
    “Security will be at your office waiting to escort you out in twenty minutes, starting now,” she says as she looks at her watch and calls security. Joan turns to me and pauses, but with nothing to say, she walks out the door, fighting her tears.
    “Were you waiting on anything from her?” Elizabeth asks me.
    “I’m waiting for the dates for the signings that she’s booked. She was going to email them to me.”
    “Great. I’ll send that to you right now, and if you need anything, you know how to reach me.”
    “Thank you, Elizabeth, I’m sorry about Joan.”
    “I’m not. I had a feeling she was up to no good. I’m sorry