“Yes, Mr. Mitus.”
“Have Brigit Farnay or Chad Wright checked in?”
“No, sir. As soon as they arrive we’ll pass along your urgent message.”
He hung up and rolled back onto the pillow, then stared out the window at the chunky white snowflakes rapidly drifting into view. Earlier, both Brigit and Chad’s phones went straight to voicemail. Their flight had landed hours ago.Where in the godforsaken hell are they?
He’d contacted his staff. No one had seen or heard from them since the ambulance carted Brigit away and Chad had followed after speaking with the officer.
Colton threw back the linens and sat on the edge of the bed. His throbbing hard-on ached. Screwing just any woman—masked or unmasked—had lost its appeal. Brigit, or Eve, or whoever the hell she was, was all he thought about. She was all he wanted and she spurred his desire to be a better man. He felt different when they were together.Gooddifferent, like shit mattered.
But right now he was pissed. He’d bared his fucking soul. Told her things he’d never shared with anyone. She’d played the caring part well. He clenched his jaw.
That’ll teach me. Last time I relinquish any damn control.
He steamrolled into the bathroom. Today’s goal was simple. Save Francesco from that asshole Montgomery. For starters, Brigit needed to vote her shares his way. Now that he knew who she really was, he fully expected she would.
He turned on the shower and brushed his teeth while the water heated up. A plan started formulating. He spit into the sink, raised his head and smiled in the mirror. Eve Francesco was going to do a hell of a lot more than just vote her shares.
50
DEFENDING FRANCESCO
Chad heaved open theballroom door and Brigit stepped into the shareholder meeting, already in progress. Because of the impending snowstorm, the last flight to Columbus had been oversold. Refusing to give up, they’d driven to Columbus. What should have been a seven-hour trip had turned into an eleven-hour ordeal. The blinding snowstorm had slowed traffic to a crawl.
With her arm secured in a sling, and still wearing her bloodied and ripped charcoal suit, she surveyed the large crowd. Was this a sign investors cared about the future of Francesco, or were they ready to throw their support to MobiCom? Though her arm ached, she’d made it this far and would see this through to its end, no matter what the outcome.
Montgomery stood at the podium, listing reason after reason why the shareholders should vote for the merger.Monster.
Lining the stage behind him were two long tables with Francesco executives seated on the left and MobiCom’s team to the right.
Game faces on.
Colton sat tall in the first seat. With his jaw set in a hard line, he was the epitome of power, confidence and determination. Pride filled her heart. It was a privilege to be part of the Mitus Team.
She’d caught glimpses of a magical life with Colton at the gala and at Luray Caverns. Working with Colton exhilarated her. He was the most riveting man she’d ever known. Their partnership was powerful and provocative and intense. Each time they shared a bed, their explosive passion confirmed her feelings. She loved him so much her heart hurt.
After today, she’d never see him again. Colton Mitus was too sharp to ignore the ugly truth behind her shrouded past. Had she betrayed him? He would see it that way.
Colton peered out at the audience and she snapped back to reality. She’d known this day would come. What she wasn’t prepared for was the emptiness. When it was time for goodbye, her heart would break.
“Francesco’s lackluster stock continues to tell the tale,” Wilson said. “Their so-called revolutionary wireless innovation—Crockett Boxes—is a pipe dream, at best.” Wilson pulled a Plexiglas box from beneath the podium and held it up. “Hey folks, it’s their wireless contraption!”
A few in the audience chuckled and someone in the back of the room booed.
Not funny, you idiot.She loathed Montgomery, not because he wanted a company he didn’t deserve, but because he’d inflicted a world of hurt on his son. What parent did that?
An evil one.
“All kidding aside, friends, MobiCom gets results. We’ve already done great things with better products, faster turnaround delivery times and stronger relationships with vendors and manufacturers. If you don’t believe me, look at the stock. Vote your shares and reap the financial rewardstoday. No one has a guarantee on tomorrow. Thank you.” The audience applauded as Montgomery returned to the first seat at MobiCom’s table.
Next, Marjorie introduced Colton. He rose, buttoned his suit and shook her hand. Then, he adjusted the microphone and smiled at the crowd. “Good morning and thank you for being here.”
After voting her shares, Brigit would head home and resume her life at Porter, Gabriel and Sethfield, as if Colton Mitus had never existed.I’ll never get over him.Never.
“Today is a defining day for Francesco employees and shareholders.”
Brigit scanned the audience. No heads buried in phones. That was good.
