"Trouble finds me," he responded impulsively, before he had a chance to think it over. "I don't seem to be very good at avoiding it."
Cole nodded. "All it takes is for one rumor to start, and that's it. Even if it turns out to be unfounded, my reputation would still be ruined. Sometimes people don't care about innocence and guilt. Once something like that is attached to you, it's hard to get rid of."
At first he thought he'd misheard her. For a second he actually considered it - what if - but then he shook his head fiercely. "Ileana-- what?"