Page 7 of Mr. Billionaire's Second Chance

“I’m pretty sure all of your employees are talking, Preston. From your mail guy to that pretty receptionist you have sitting behind the desk in your lobby. Kingsman Enterprises is under fire, but word didn’t come from them. When I was in Miami I met with one of your investors. He heard a rumor that you were getting audited but he didn’t tell me where he got that from. You better find a way to cover your ass real soon, because if the press picks this up, every day will feel like war.”

“It already fucking does. When I get my hands on the asshole that’s doing this, he won’t know what hit him. I’ve been working my ass off for the last few years and for what? So someone can feed some stupid rumor to the right people and tear my reputation apart?”

“It’s more than just a stupid rumor if they’ve hired a private firm, Preston. You sure you don’t have anything to hide?”

I shook my head at him, slamming my glass down on the table next to me. It was frustrating enough having to hear it from everyone else that I was on the edge of disaster here, but I didn’t think the people that really knew me would also be questioning my position.

“Now, why the hell would you be asking me that, Chris?”

“I’m not saying you’re a bad guy, Preston but I know how these things work. I haven’t met a businessman in this hemisphere who hasn’t padded a financial report or lied about something to get their way.”

“I’m not one of them. I thought you knew that,” I said coldly.

“Well, you’re going to have to find a way to get this auditor off your back before you become one of them. I’d hate to see this happen to you. This is the time everyone’s going to be watching your every move, waiting to buy out what’s left of your company. I wouldn’t be your friend if I didn’t tell you like it is,” said Chris.

“I’ll get her off my back.”

“You better because time’s running out, buddy. In a few days, that girl’s going to be the one deciding the fate of your damn company.”

I made my way up to the penthouse, collapsing onto the couch, as I kicked off my shoes. My head throbbed and I knew I needed some sleep if I was going to head to the office to see Katherine there tomorrow morning. I should’ve never let you go, Kat. I was getting too close to you. I was feeling things for you and I couldn’t afford to do that. It’s bad for business and it’s bad for me. Though, if things were still good I wouldn’t be in this mess. Why’d you have to be so goddamn perfect?

I remembered what it was like having her here, drinking wine until midnight, feeling every inch of her soft skin under me. All those sensations came rushing back the second I laid eyes on her again, and I knew I had to remind her just how good it was between us. I’ve got to save my father’s company somehow, Kat. I wanted to tell myself that all this was just a ploy to get her and her firm out of my hair, but I knew it was more than that. Being around her excited me because it made me feel things I’d never felt for any other woman before. I realized I was going to go crazy if I didn’t play this just right. A few games and a little teasing was all I needed to put this problem to bed once and for all. Though, this wasn’t like it had been in the past. I couldn’t just play her and walk away because I knew what kind of effect she had on me, but I had to try. The board, William, and everyone else are counting on me. I can’t let them down.

I woke to the incessant sound of my cell phone ringing, and I grabbed it off the coffee table, answering the call groggily.

“Hello?”

“Good morning, Mr. Clarke. I wanted to let you know that Ms. Hollis is here early and she’s getting settled into her temporary office. Is there anything I should do before you get in?” asked my assistant.

“Just make sure she’s real comfortable. I’ll deal with the rest when I get there,” I said.

“You got it. I’d like to remind you that you have a meeting with Riley from the Tribune. I know we scheduled this interview a few weeks ago, and a lot has changed since then. Would you like me to cancel it?”

“Claire, you and I both know we can’t do that. If I cancel the interview now it’s just going to look like I have something to hide. This is my chance to set the story straight and change the narrative. Let it go on as planned.”

“Of course, boss,” she said.

I peeled myself off of my living room couch, waltzed over to the bathroom to have a quick shower, and got into a fresh suit before I had to start this shitshow of a day. Looks like I’m going to have two women barking up my tree today. Usually I’d like that sort of thing, but something tells me one wrong move right now and they’re both going to bite me in the ass.

My black town car was waiting outside to take me to the office, and once I arrived, there were already reporters outside waiting for a comment on the leak. I sighed, as one practically jumped over the others to get a microphone in my face.

“Can I get a comment on what’s been going on at Kingsman Enterprises, Preston? It seems you’ve been named in a potential fraud investigation,” he said.

I did not utter a word knowing that no matter what I said, everyone was going to form their own opinions. It was bad enough that my name was out there because for such a long time I’d kept my position at the company hidden from the public eye, but now all of my dirty laundry was being aired and there just wasn’t anything I could do about it. Up until now, William was the official face of the business while I managed things from the shadows to create this image of a careless playboy. Looks like now the playtime is over. Let’s hope I have better luck with Riley. If I don’t, I’m going to have to find someone to take care of this for me before it’s too late.

I sighed, heading up in the elevator, and as the doors opened, I caught sight of Katherine standing there inquisitively. She clutched a folder to her chest, and I took in just how stunning she was. It was a nice distraction after the morning I’d had, even though she was just as much a problem as everything else I had yet to deal with.

“Good morning, Katherine.”

“I wouldn’t say it is. Not with the swarm of reporters in the lobby. I heard you’re getting a visit from the Tribune today,” she said.

“Looks like someone’s been doing their homework.”

“Do they know something that I don’t?” she asked, raising an eyebrow at me.

“No, but I’m sure you’re having one hell of a time looking.”

“That I am,” she responded, rolling her eyes before taking off back to her office.

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