Free Jordan, Olivia - Carly's Two-Stepping Temptations [Studio Seductions 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Olivia Jordan Page A

background.
    Cursing the first red light he hit, Jared was finally pulled out of his panic when he heard Melissa Roth’s name on the radio.
    “Governor Charles Merwin has filed articles of impeachment against Mayor Melissa Roth,” the newscaster said. Jared immediately turned up the volume. He had a feeling it didn’t matter that he was running late. He didn’t imagine Melissa would be at the studio that day. He didn’t think he’d be dancing with her in the show, either.
    The light turned green, and Jared did his best to stay focused on the road while sopping up as much information as possible from the news.
    “Impeachment of a local-level government official is extremely rare, and it is only the second time such action has been taken in the entire history of this state. While in most cases, a simple recall vote is put into effect, the severity of Mayor Roth’s transgressions has left the governor, quote, ‘feeling forced into taking such harsh action.’”
    Jared squealed into the first available parking spot, shut off the ignition, and raced into the studio. Sure enough, he didn’t see any sign of Melissa as he looked in through the glass doors. He did, however, find Taletha pacing around the front desk with such fury that he thought she was going to wear a hole in the carpet.
    “This has to do with what I just heard on the news, doesn’t it?” Jared asked as Taletha rushed toward him.
    “Did you know about this?” The edge in her voice was unmistakable. She was clearly trying to keep her temper, but it was a tough battle.
    “Well, yes. After Melissa left our first rehearsal early, I went outside, and accidentally overheard her talking on her cell phone. I know I probably should have told you, but I couldn’t bring myself to rat her out. I just didn’t want to be the guy who made all of her problems worse. She didn’t need any help with that one.”
    “I’m surprised she managed to keep it quiet as long as she did. Even so, though, you should have told me.”
    “What good would have that done?”
    Taletha looked around. “Let’s go into my office. I will not have you questioning my authority in front of the rest of the staff. Is that clear?” Jared nodded and followed her into the office.
    “Now, why didn’t you tell me about all this right when you found out?” Taletha asked, the patience in her voice slipping away.
    “What good would it have done?”
    “It would have been nice to have been prepared for this.”
    “What would you have done differently?”
    “I certainly would have thought long and hard about whether or not she should actually participate in the show.”
    Jared couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “You’d actually take her out of the lineup for an event designed to help us?”
    “Exactly. Her presence won’t be a help to us if it causes all of our other participants to pull out or if it lowers attendance rates. Supporting her could be a politically and fiscally dangerous move right now.”
    “I can’t believe you. Look, she did something completely wrong, but she’s sorry for what she did, and willing to accept the consequences.”
    “If she was so willing to accept the consequences, then why did she wait until someone else ratted her out? Why didn’t she come clean?”
    “Would you dig your own grave so readily?”
    Taletha shrugged and averted her eyes. “I guess not. Still, she shouldn’t have done that, and I’m not sure the studio should show implicit support in allowing her to be in the performance, assuming she doesn’t have the decency to quit.”
    “I don’t understand why you’re so worried about her participation.”
    “I want my studio to stay financially solvent. The bad publicity that might get generated by allowing her to participate is too much to risk. ”
    “Come on, Taletha. Don’t tell me you’ve never done anything crazy for love. And don’t tell me that if Morris and Adam had somehow gotten themselves into such trouble, you