Undeniably His(74)
“Mr. Wyatt, this is Annabelle. She’s my marketing assistant.”
“A pleasure.” Norman nods at me and turns his attention to Kalin.
“This is my last conversation with you, Norman, before I find your sources myself,” Kalin says. “Your company is public, and I can easily buy the stock to get what I want. Your company won’t be able to stop it. My only hesitation is that I don’t know what to do with a newspaper that specializes in ruining lives.” Kalin glances at his hands folded on his lap for a moment before returning his eyes to Norman. “It’s such a piece of trash.”
“Now, Mr. Davis. Don’t be so self-righteous,” Norman snarls. “After all, your clients advertise with us.”
Kalin smiles. “We’re branching out.”
“What are you going to do with a newspaper, Mr. Davis?”
Kalin’s attractive smile turns up into a sneer. “Selling ads in newspapers also seems like such a profitable business. It would make a nice hedge to the business.” He pauses for a moment before returning his eyes to Norman. “Or maybe I’ll do the world a favor and shut it down.”
Norman fidgets for a moment, and the smug look on his face begins to sour. “And if I call your bluff?”
“My reputation means more to me than your shitty little newspaper.”
I stifle a laugh behind my MacBook.
“I’m between a rock and a hard place, Mr. Davis. I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t.”
“You’re mostly damned if you don’t work with me, Norman. You can still squeak out of this after you give me the names. But I’m going to find out who they are regardless, and I can assure you it will be much more painful for you.”
Norman swallows and curls his shoulders over his chest, clasping his wrist with his hand. “I don’t believe you.”
Kalin glares at Norman for a moment and narrows his eyes. “Don’t test me, Norman.”
“Just tell me how much you already know, Mr. Davis.” Norman squirms in place as his eyes dart to me and back to Kalin.
“I know what the board members are up to. I’ve known for a long time. I just didn’t know they would stoop this low.”
Norman gazes down and rocks on his feet. “How much do you know, Mr. Davis?”
“What, you want names? How about Jeff Corman and Brian McMillan.”
Norman swallows hard.
“Just confirm it, and you can keep your shitty little paper. Tell your bosses you had to reveal the sources to save them from being exposed. Maybe you can all get out of this without ruining your careers.”
Norman shuffles in place and lifts his head. “You have them. Brian McMillan and Madison Jacobs. Those are my sources.”
“Madison?” I whisper.
Kalin places his hand out and tilts his head to keep me quiet.
“You wanted names, you got ’em. Besides, murder charges will sell a hell of a lot more papers than reckless driving. What do I care?” He shrugs. “They won’t be around much longer, anyway.”
“You’re a cold son of a bitch, Norman.”
“It’s just dirty laundry to me. Don’t jump down my throat. Your business keeps us all alive and well.” A sadistic grin spreads across his face.
“Just get your story right when the news breaks,” Kalin breathes.
“It’s a career saver, alright. Always nice doing business with you, Mr. Davis,” he gloats.
“I’ll be in touch,” Kalin says with a hint of warning.
After Norman leaves, Kalin turns to me. “Forward the names to my lawyer. He’ll want to follow-up on this.”
A sour feeling nauseates my stomach. “Madison?”
“We haven’t confirmed anything yet, sweetheart. Let’s just have Larry check into it first. I only have a few more days left in this place. I want you staying at my place in Southampton. My security team is there, and I won’t take no for an answer.”
“Kalin, what about my project with Madison? We’re letting all of our clients know that you’re coming back. I have a lunch date with her in fifteen minutes. Do you still want me to go?”
“Yes. You’ll be in a public place. My security team will be tagging you from now on. Stay in sight and don’t let anyone take you to a private area.”
Kalin averts his eyes.
“Kalin, is everything okay?”
“Yes. I just want this to be over.”
I stand and step toward him. “So do I.” I rub my hand over his, and his gorgeous brown eyes rake over me with a hint of sadness. He takes me in his arms and embraces me, closing his eyes as if relishing a moment that can be ripped away from us at any time.