Page 191 of His Flash Mate
“We have a problem,” he said.“Reporters waiting on the sidewalk outside the building.They won’t disperse, and the police can’t do anything since they’re not obstructing anyone or on private property.You may want to use the parking garage today.”
“Thanks for the heads up, Marius,” I said.
“Anytime.”
Konni hung up and tapped the steering wheel, obviously trying to guess what the reporters were after, like I was.
“Who benefits the most from more scandals about me?”I said, thinking out loud.“Right now, I’m leaning toward Lianna.She wants you, and I’m in the way.If she makes me look bad enough, she’ll push for you to fire me like she’s already tried to do.”
“It won’t happen.”
“If it does, I’ll just come sit in your office to keep you company.”
He flashed me a heated look.
“I’m also thinking that Dad and Hestian wouldn’t want to risk alienating a business giant like you.At least, not for me.The contract with Hestian isn’t worth being blacklisted by Steele.And Hestian could find another baby Pez dispenser.Right now, I’m only a so-called easy target because of my perceived financial woes.Once he knows I’m not in a situation ever to agree, I’m too difficult a target.”
“Makes sense.”
“I guess we’ll know who’s behind it after the pictures are published and someone makes a move.”
“So park in front and walk in as usual?”he asked.
“Yep.”
The reporters were right there when he pulled up to the curb.Thankfully, a pair of security guards came to open my door while another took Konni’s keys to park his car.I waited for Konni to join me on the sidewalk, and we walked in together.
This time, I didn’t walk a step behind him; I walked at his side.He glanced at me, then down at my hand.I switched my purse to that side so he wouldn’t try anything.He chuckled softly.
As we walked, I listened to the rapid click of shutters.Not a single reporter asked questions.
Interesting.
Neither of us spoke on the way up to the executive floor.I didn’t veer off to make his coffee, either, but went straight to the CEO suite where the Snack Pack was waiting.
“How was it?”Marius asked.
“Weird,” I said.“They took pictures without asking anything.”
“Which means they probably already have an article written,” Konni said.
“On it,” Edi said, sitting and turning to his computer.
“Sophia will be with me today,” Konni added.
They nodded.I set down my purse, picked up my tablet to make it look good, and followed him into his office.He hung his suit jacket on the stand behind his desk before unbuttoning his sleeves and rolling them up.
The sight of his forearms made me think things I shouldn’t be thinking.
“Not that I mind the look, but what are you doing?”I asked.
He flashed a quick grin at me.“I’m getting ready to distract you until?—”
“Article is up,” Edi said, poking his head in.“Same smear campaign.Assistant job to social-climb.Hired through connections.Staged data leak to get Mr.Steele’s attention—and your position.They’re questioning whether you’re a distraction, whether more projects like the Riverfront project will fall apart if you stay, and what that means for the future of Steele Corp.”
“Wow.That was fast.”I looked at the time.“Five minutes?”
“Since it’s speculating on facts, there’s no defamation, per se, to issue take-down notices.Do you want to issue a press release clarifying?”Edi asked.
