No Place To Hide by Reese Madalyn

Author:Reese, Madalyn [Reese, Madalyn]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Suspense
ISBN: 9780733548468
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2010-10-30T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

With an hour remaining before the auction lot was due, Anthony observed Emma in her packed dining room. Five other agents were on duty now and everyone was carefully tiptoeing around their hostess.

They needn't have bothered with the kid gloves. Emma was wholly preoccupied with the clock, barely paying attention to Jim and Layne as they discussed a press statement.

"It doesn't really matter what we print," Layne said. "But it would be a good idea to dispel what the reporter said about duress. Someone else will get curious and we'll be under media siege with the accompanying flood of gawkers and crazies. So maybe we should find a new angle."

"Like what?" Emma asked, surprising Anthony. Her eyes were still on the clock, but apparently she was listening, after all.

Jim and Layne started a volley of psychobabble about how Dop might react to different explanations. Emma started fidgeting again, chewing at a thumbnail.

Grinning sympathetically, Anthony reached out and threaded his fingers through hers. "Relax, Emma. It'll be here soon."

"Yeah, I just—" Emma began, then nearly choked as Jim said something about an engagement announcement.

Both of them told him to shove that idea, but when Anthony turned back to Emma she'd flushed crimson.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Um…not really, no."

"What's wrong?"

"Forget it. I'm too embarrassed to ask now."

He laughed. This was priceless. "Come on. Ask."

"I never even bothered to ask if you had a girlfriend," Emma said, then grimaced.

"You think anyone would put up with me?"

"Good point."

"Witch."

"Jerk. What are we going to print?" she asked.

"That's up to you, I guess. Whatever you say goes."

Emma's eyes took on that quality of a cat who'd just spotted prey. "Why don't we take full advantage of this statement? Say you're a consultant now. You came home to help me because I'm up to my neck running two businesses, and something big's about to happen with Beautiful Things."

"Now you're talking." He smiled. "Free advertising. So what am I? Lackey? Overqualified bookkeeper? General manager?"

"Hmm…general manager. For real or just for show?" she asked.

"Excuse me?"

"I really do need a general manager."

"No way, Emma. Forget it."

"Why not? You said you'd help," Emma reminded him, turning sideways in her chair and leaning forward.

"I did and I will. But only until you're caught up."

"Yeah, and then I'll just get behind again. What am I supposed to do then?"

"Hire a general manager. And quit looking at me like that."

"What? My guilt trip's not working?"

"Not even a little. Behave yourself, woman."

"You're this close to caving in, aren't you?"

"Quit it. Much as I admire shameless opportunism, you can't win this one."

"We'll see. You know you love this place."

"Emma…" Anthony warned, staring at her mouth. But then he realized the room had fallen silent, every eye on them. And once he saw how he and Emma were sitting it wasn't a surprise. She was practically in his lap.

Anthony's cellphone picked that convenient moment to ring, and seeing the caller's name on the display, he left Emma to explain while he stepped out.

Halfway to his room he said, "Hi, Mom.

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