Panic consumed me, eating my air and reason.
“Enough!”
Konni’s sharp voice cut through the chaos.
Desperate, I followed the sound and saw him at the edge of the mob.He grabbed a reporter by the shoulder and shoved him aside.The rest scattered, giving me room to breathe again.
His glittering gaze swept over me as I lowered my arms.I hadn’t realized I’d covered my head with them.Or how bad I was shaking.
He saw, growled softly, and tugged me to his chest.
Wrapped in his familiar scent, I kept my trembling hands at my sides and my face pressed against his torso as the reporters focused on him.
“Mr.Steele, what is your relationship with Ms.Elmantas?”
“How long have you been seeing each other?”
“Does this mean you’ll overlook what happened in favor of your personal interests?”
“Aren’t you worried about the board dismissing you?”
“The police are on their way,” he said coldly.“Expect Steele Corporation to press charges for assault, harassment, and defamation of one of its employees.A statement regarding the data leak will be forthcoming.”
With a hand warming the small of my back, he turned me and guided me inside.My knees continued to shake even after the doors closed behind us, sealing out the chaos.
Realizing I was gripping his sleeve, I released him.He didn’t release me.He steered me through the turnstiles and toward the elevators with one hand while making a call with the other.
His clipped, angry words echoed off the smooth walls of the Steele buildings' lobby.
“Find out what happened.Now.You have five minutes to give me an explanation.”
CHAPTERTWELVE
The elevator doors closed,and we were alone.
My shaking grew more pronounced.
A second later, Konni had me in his arms, giving me the best hug of my life, mostly because I desperately needed an anchor.And he was solid.He held me, rubbing my back and making this soothing rumbling sound in his chest that melted away my fear.
“You’re okay, kitten,” he said softly.“I’m so sorry.That won’t ever happen again.I promise.”His hand moved from my back to my hair.It felt so good to be petted and comforted.“I want to keep holding you like this, but those doors are about to open.”
I nodded and pulled out of his arms to stand next to him.The back of his hand brushed the back of mine, but he didn’t try to take it.Thankfully.I wasn’t sure I would have been able to resist going for seconds if he had.I wanted to cling to him.
The doors opened, and the woman at the executive welcome desk watched with wide eyes as Konni motioned for me to walk with him.He didn’t walk in front of me or make me go first, but stuck to my side as we made our way to his office.
“Go downstairs and get a calming tea blend for Ms.Elmantas,” Konni said when we reached his assistants.“And I want to see Garth.Now.What data was leaked and when?And find out how those reporters knew before we did.”
All three heads nodded, one stood, and the other two reached for their phones.
“Come in, Ms.Elmantas,” Konni said, all business.“Have a seat.I’ll call Gail.”
He led me to the sofa in his room.I sat and tried to calm down as he placed another call.
The woman from HR was already on her way up.
A man knocked on his door.I glanced at him, recognizing the head of the public relations department.
“Get in here and sit down, Garth.As soon as we have answers, I want a statement in front of me for approval.”
