I think I’m falling in love withyou.
His words—were they just last night?—warmed her, though the nervous churning in her stomach wouldn’t go away. How in the world could she love him—or even stay with him—with someone trying to killher?
With that thought in her head, she drifted off tosleep.
Milos, one of the bodyguards Alexander hadn’t met yet, knocked on his office door. “Sir?”
The hulking Greek, with closely shorn black hair and the build of a boxer, stood at attention when Alexander looked up from his desk. He’d checked on Elizabeth, found her sleeping, and busied himself with returning the dozen calls that had come in since theBabbler’sstory had broken. “Yes?”
“There’s a reporter from WGBH at the door. He would like to speak to you about an article on theBeantown Babblerand the report of Miss Elizabeth’s hospitalization. I assume you’d like me to send him away, but…” Milos’s brow quirked. “I’m not certain how strongly you’d like me towordthatdismissal.”
Alexander sat back in his chair, impressed. This man might make an excellent permanent addition to the staff. Assuming they ever found Elizabeth’s attacker and could lower security at all. “Where’sSamuel?”
“In the basement, sir. The cat…is apparently sneaky. And hiding in the storageroom.”
Chuckling, Alexander shook his head. “Inform him that I’m not receiving visitors right now, and he can contact Philippa James at Fairhaven Charities for astatement.”
“Yes, sir.” Milos practically snapped his heels together as he turned. From what little Alexander remembered of the roster he’d approved sitting by Elizabeth’s hospital bed, Milos had been a rather high-ranking soldier in the Greek SpecialForces.
Despite his exhaustion, Alexander’s mind raced over the reporter’s presence. Rather bold to show up at the house unannounced.Perhaps…
Alexander leapt up and jogged to the front door, reaching Milos as the man had his hand on the knob. “Hold on a moment, Milos. I’d like to talk to theman.”
The Greek’s dark eyebrows shot up momentarily, but he merely nodded and stepped back enough to let Alexander take his place at the door. “Of course, sir. I’ll wait right here,though.”
A blond-haired young man with a round face and freckles stood on the short porch with a voice recorder in his hand. “Mr. Fairhaven? Mark Joont with WGBH. TheBeantown Babblerran two scathing articles this morning: one that implied you beat the woman who accompanied you to the Fire and Ice Ball and the other that accused you and your brother of defamation of character, unfair business practices, and sexual harassment. Care tocomment?”
Well,thatwas interesting. The second story had only come out an hour ago. Alexander clasped his hands in front of him, and Mr. Joont’s gaze slid to Alexander’s knuckles, narrowed, and then returned to hisface.
“Both Fairhaven Charities and Fairhaven Exports have full legal departments available to take inquiries seven days a week. The entire company undergoes sensitivity training every year, and we have a zero-tolerance policy for domestic violence and sexual harassment. Now, ask the next question. The one you really wanted toask.”
The reporter cleared his throat and straightened his shoulders. “What happened to Elizabeth Bennett lastnight?”
“She was injured. Try again.” Dancing with the press was an art form, one he’d mastered once his brother had started gambling. Or…at leastlosing.
Mark shifted his voice recorder to his other hand and then thumbed through his notebook, pausing when he found the right page. “Miss Bennett was fired from Carter, Pastack, and Hayes a few weeks ago. Then last night, you had a run-in with Harry Carter at the Fire and Ice Ball. Several reports claim threats were made, by Carter, towards Miss Bennett, you, and your brother. Is there a connection between the run-in last night and Miss Bennett’shospitalization?”
Impressive.
Alexander let his hands drop to his sides, keeping his calm expression firmly in place. “That’s better, Mr. Joont. Unfortunately, you’ll need to address all of your questions to my lawyer, but stay close to your phone. An important call might come in sometime this afternoon. Goodday.”
Once Alexander had closed and locked the door, Milos met his gaze. “Sir, why did you speak to him—if you don’t mind myasking?”
“Elizabeth and I will need to make a statement to the press later today because of the sodding photograph from the hospital. When trying to dispel an unfavorable news story, it helps to have a few reporters…on your side. Provided they’re competent. Mr. Joont didn’t push me on the sexual harassment claim. That’s the sexy story—especially with the specter of domestic violence thrown in. He immediately switched his focus to Elizabeth, but did so in a way that told me he knew CPH was involved.” Alexander spread his fingers, palms down, so Milos could see his knuckles. “Did you notice him glancing at myhands?”
Milosnodded.
“Mr. Joont will be one of the first reporters Philippa calls when she arranges the news conference. Now, I have to check on Elizabeth. My brother, someone from the U.S. Attorney’s office, and Ben Hetherington will be here soon. When you’ve cleared them, have Samuel set them up in the living room withcoffee.”
“Yes,sir.”
