Page 23 of My Cruel Billionaire

“See?” I said. “It’s better if you let me handle this. You know it and I know it.”

Lightning crashed outside. Michael pushed a button on the center console.

“Derek, I need you to take us to the Mercury Hotel. Stat.”

“Of course, Mr. Wallace.”

Michael looked back at me and glared, but didn’t say anything.

When we got to the hotel, it was swarming with journalists, even outside. When the hotel staff saw a limo pull up, they sprang into action. The bellhops and front desk staff formed an impenetrable ring around Michael and I, to escort us inside.

The press identified Michael almost immediately. Of course, they didn't know who I was, but they soon would. They shouted questions at him about the merger, but he didn't respond. I was glad for that, because he probably would have made things worse and not better by opening his mouth at that point.

We were escorted through the opulent lobby and into the Meridian Room. It was an expansive convention space with a high vaulted ceiling and cool-looking blue chandeliers. I took my position behind the podium, while Michael kind of hovered behind me.

“How did you get all of these reporters to show up so fast?” he asked.

I just smiled at him.

“Smile, Michael. We want to project an air of cooperation and confidence. This is a happy occasion and we’re both tickled pink to be here. Even if you don’t feel that way, try and fake it for a while, hmm?”

Oh, I loved the look on his face. He was flabbergasted and utterly taken off his guard. Men like Michael don't get that look in their eyes very often and I took a long moment to savor it, to burn it indelibly into my memory.

The tension was thicker than the rain falling outside in sheets like lead. I stepped up to the microphone and tapped it to make sure it was on.

“Good afternoon,” I said. “Thank you for joining us on this lovely day in New York City.”

My comment got the expected ripple of laughter.

“Why don’t we just open up the floor to questions?” I asked.

A lot of hands darted into the air. I pointed at one woman in particular.

“You there, in the green blazer.”

“Thank you. Do you know who leaked the news of this merger? Things like this are usually kept pretty hush-hush.”

I smiled at her and nodded.

“Yes, of course I know who leaked the information to the press.” I chuckled softly. “You might say I know her very well. I see her face in the mirror every day.”

Michael gasped and I spoke into the mic again.

“It was me.”

Chapter Eight

Jenna

The silence was deafening.

After my surprise announcement about my having leaked news of the merger to the press, the entire room grew deathly quiet. Shit, you’d think that I’d just announced that I was the shooter on the Grassy Knoll who killed JFK. I guessed that the merger really was a huge deal. I’d been so caught up in my feelings for Michael that I’d not been paying enough attention to the enormity of what we were doing, and the effect it would have on the world at large.

I’m not sure what happened next. One moment, the air had that tinge of electricity it has right before a massive thunderstorm is about to hit. Like everything was balanced on a knife’s edge, and could have gone either way.

Then, the room exploded into a cacophony of shouted questions and cameras snapping pics non-stop. The flashes from the cameras reminded me of the lightning outside, though there were no windows in the convention hall.

“What is the new company going to be called?”

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