“Okay, talk to me.”
“We leaked the announcement last night that we’re considering selling the company. Korea is interested, to say the least.” His tone was dry. Korea had been trying to buy them out for years. “Company shares rose fourteen point three percent on NASDAQ this morning at opening bell.”
“That won’t hurt us. Just gives me more clout.”
“The press is having a field day, however. And everyone is speculating you’re in hiding until the dust settles.”
“Of course they’re speculating. The press is skeptical because they’re trying to figure out if I’m selling, going under, or reorganizing. They know it means Blush will fund some kind of venture with borrowed money. The shares are going up because we won’t be selling stock to the public, and there’s a feeding frenzy. I’m not worried.”
“Davis and Kent planned to take the company private for two hundred dollars a share.” There was a pregnant pause. She heard the clink of bottle to glass as Todd poured himself some wine. “They were outbid.”
Mia’s heart slammed into her ribs and her eyebrows rose. “By who—whom?”
“Everybody,” Todd said dryly. “All the big dogs want in on the action. Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch—pretty much all of Wall Street. No winners: all bids have been rejected so far.”
“As long as I win, I don’t give a damn. Question is, how did anyone find out what I’m doing? There’s enough misinformation floating around to muddy the waters. If not, throw more mud. We’ll be fine. But damn it to hell, I want to know who leaked confidential information. Their side or ours?” There were only a handful of people total who knew what she planned.
“Basson and D and K’s equivalent?”
“No.” She didn’t want either Blush or the investment company’s security people involved in this. “Get someone smart, efficient, neutral, but loyal to us. Call Black Raven Security and have them put their best people on it. And, Todd, while you’re at it, have them see what they can find about this alleged killer who’s after me.”
“Basson’s already on that.” He paused. “Are you saying after thirty-five years of loyal service, you don’t you trust him?”
“The only person I trust right now is you.”
Todd chuckled and took a swallow of whatever it was he was drinking. “Jesus, babe. About fucking time you got paranoid.”
“I want this over.”
“Yeah, I’m sure all those cabana boys are wearing you out.” He paused, his voice changing from mocking to serious. “Kidding aside, be careful. I don’t want anything to happen to you. I like being second in command way too much. All the perks, none of the responsibility. Don’t trust anyone, even me. Promise?”
“I was going to invite you . . . here. For a little vacay.”
She heard the glass hit a little too hard on the table. “I don’t want to know where you are! For fucksake, Amelia—”
“When this is over, then?”
He let out a sigh and she could hear him swallow, ice tinkling against the sides of his glass. So he was drinking something stronger than wine. “It’s a deal.” Todd paused. “But they want more financial data—the buried-deep-down, confidential data that we typically don’t release.”
Mia tapped her unmanicured fingernail on the back of her phone. Not being there during this crucial pivot point for Blush was irresponsible of her, but what could she do when her life was potentially on the line? It left her feeling exposed on more than one front. “Fine, give them whatever they need. But first have Black Raven plug the leak. And remind them they signed a confidentiality agreement. Things are already volatile enough. Any more stuff in the press and they’ll say it’s not a rumor.”
“I’ll put a lid on it.”
“One more thing. When you talk to Black Raven, have them run a background check on a Cruz Barcelona.”
“Sexy. Is this your hot contractor?”
“I want everything they can dig up as soon as possible. I’ll contact them directly for the results. Tell them they have twenty-four hours to find out everything about him from birth to today.”
“Intriguing. You got it. Candice dropped by the fortieth floor this morning to see how I was doing in your absence.”
Mia let out a mirthless chuckle at the thought of her father’s self-centered trophy wife giving a crap about anyone but herself. “How are you doing in my absence?”
“I’m being a brave little toaster,” he said with a laugh. “Between us we have enough assistants to run the world. I’m fine, but you know that, or you wouldn’t have left me in charge. Candice was fishing to see if I’d let the cat out of the bag about who’s doing your surgery and what you’re having done. I hinted at boobs. Either she doesn’t read the Wall Street Journal or she’s just oblivious.”