“He’s a pit bull.” Marjorie inhaled and started hacking.
Colton waited until she stopped. “I can’t get into it over the phone, but he’s unpredictable and dangerous as hell.”
“Hostile takeover?”
“At the very least.”
“Then it’ll come down to a proxy fight and we’ll need sixty percent of the shares to vote it down.”
“I’ll never let that son of a bitch win.Never. And I’ll dowhatevernecessary to ensure Crockett Boxes don’t get into his hands.”
The call ended and he stood in the deserted hallway. The hatred that coursed through his veins used to leave him feeling out of control. But now he was a master at containing his emotion until he could release it in a moreconstructiveway. Slipping his free hand into his pocket, he walked back into the ballroom.
The professional fight of his life had officially begun.Bring it on, old man. Bring it on.
35
BANG!
Brigit flew into theballroom through a side door as Colton returned to his seat. She finger-fluffed her hair and applied lip gloss, making it look like she’d gone to the restroom. Though wrong to eavesdrop on Colton, she had to know. But she couldn’t get close enough to hear him without risking his seeing her.
The bars were closed and the booze cleared away.Damn, I need a drink.Montgomery’s blatant threat had sent shock waves through her. She’d foolishly believed MobiCom would quietly slink away. Whatever Crockett had created must be so revolutionary that Montgomery would stop at nothing to take it.
As Brigit sat down, Colton tenderly cupped the back of her neck with his warm hand, gently squeezed, then removed his hand. This enemy was looking better and better. Colton would have to fight hard to keep Francesco from being absorbed into MobiCom. And she would have to help him. She tasted the bitter frustration.
The show ended and the audience applauded as the women filed offstage. Crockett, sporting a grin, took a bow, shook Jerry’s hand, and headed back to his seat. Jerry released the clucking woman and the meowing man, thanked the crowd for their generous donations and wished everyone a safe ride home.
* * *
With the benefit over,the weighty responsibility lifted from Colton’s shoulders. He thanked the guests at his table and pushed out of his chair. Mingling guests swarmed, heaping praise for his outstanding efforts. His viselike grip around Brigit’s waist ensured she didn’t scurry to her room or hide in the shadows as they baby-stepped toward the exit. If measuring smiles, laughter and applause was any indication, the evening had been a rousing success. But the final determination would be the bottom line. Donations were what counted and Colton had high expectations.
The image of Brigit’s body draped over his spurred him through the wall-to-wall crowd of well-wishers toward the door. Sure he’d reserved Brigit her own suite, but she damn well wasn’t going to need it. Not if he had an ounce of control over the outcome.
An hour later, they’d made it as far as the exit doors.
No sooner had they stepped into the packed hallway than they were bombarded by another group of energized guests. Every few minutes, Brigit craned her neck as if searching the crowd. Both he and Tucker agreed she knew who’d vandalized her home. Someone from her mysterious past wanted her dead in the worst way. Colton would do his best to protect her, but he was at a clear disadvantage if she wouldn’t confide in him. When he pulled her closer, she caressed his back. Even her simple touch sent blood pounding through his veins.
POP!A deafening sound, like a firecracker exploding in a tiny space, thundered through the hallway.
Fuck—a gunshot!
Brigit screamed, as did several others in the vicinity. On impulse, he pulled her back into the ballroom, forced her to the floor and covered her body with his.
“He’s going to kill me!” Brigit trembled beneath him.
My God, she’s terrified. Was that bullet meant for Brigit?
“The gun! Grab it!” screamed a woman on the other side of the open door.
“Help me hold him!” called out a man.
“Get hotel security!” shouted another man.
When Colton heard hotel security barking orders, he helped Brigit stand. The handful of guests milling in the ballroom, along with hotel staff busing tables, looked horrified.
“Are you okay?” He scanned her face and body. “Are you hurt?”
“I’m…yes, I’m okay. Are you?”
