Tycoon Takes Revenge Read Free Page B

torpedoed—or, more precisely, set up.
    The irony wasn’t lost on her either: she’d just been photographed apparently kissing him in the same way he’d been snapped apparently kissing Fluffy.
    She jabbed a finger into his chest. “You! This was all part of the plan, wasn’t it?”
    Noah caught her finger. “Sweetie—” he said, and she knew he was playing to the audience “—is it really so bad to announce our love to the world?”
    She yanked her hand away from his.
    â€œHello, Kayla.”
    The two of them turned, and she came face-to-face with Ed, whose expression said he was wondering what the hell was going on.
    â€œEr—hello, Ed.” She smiled brightly.
    Noah held out his hand. “Hi, Ed.”
    Noah knew her boss?
    Ed took it and said gruffly, “Noah. What brings you here first thing in the morning?”
    Noah looked amused. “Well—”
    â€œWe were just saying goodbye,” Kayla interrupted, then took a step toward the Sentinel ’s entrance. “I’ll take the elevator up with you, Ed.”
    Ed looked from one to the other of them, then glanced at the photographer at the curb. “Anyone want to explain to me what’s going on?”
    She was going to die, right there in front of the Sentinel ’s headquarters. She could already see the headline: Ms. Rumor-Has-It Slain by Innuendo.
    Noah smiled. “Sorry, Ed. Gotta run.” His eyes met hers. “I’m sure Kayla will explain everything. Won’t you, honey?”
    She gritted her teeth while Ed raised his eyebrows at the endearment. “Of course,” she said. “Say hello to Huffy, Fluffy and Buffy for me, won’t you?”
    His eyes laughed at her. “Sure.”
    To Ed, she said in a low voice, “There’s a Boston World photographer standing at the curb. I’ll explain, but once we’re inside.”
    At Ed’s nod, she turned and stalked toward the revolving doors. Later, she promised herself, she’d take some time to throw darts at Noah Whittaker’s picture or burn him in effigy.
    The only silver lining to this morning’s catastrophe was that, since he’d now exacted his revenge, with any luck she’d never have anything to do with him again.
    Â 
    Unfortunately, luck happened to be vacationing in Tahiti the next day.
    â€œEd, you can’t be serious!”
    Why were they discussing having her drive over to Whittaker Enterprises to cover a press conference? A press conference at which Noah Whittaker would be presiding!
    Hadn’t she explained everything to Ed yesterday? Hadn’t she explained that she and Noah really loathed each other? Did she not detail how the “affair” had justbeen a rumor generated by Noah as payback for the stories she’d printed about his bad behavior?
    The fact that panic roiled through her at the thought of facing Noah Whittaker again had nothing to do with yesterday’s kiss and everything to do with the fact that she couldn’t stand the man. He was altogether too high-and-mighty for her taste.
    She regarded Ed levelly. He was her boss but also her mentor—surely he could see that sending her to cover this press conference wasn’t the best allocation of personnel.
    Ed scratched his balding pate. It was the second time he’d done so since showing up at her cubicle. “Look, I thought you were gunning for a position covering hard news.”
    â€œI was! I am!” she exclaimed in dismay. She’d gotten into journalism so she could be a business reporter, not so she could write about the latest fashions at debutante balls.
    â€œWell, here’s your chance to prove yourself,” Ed said.
    â€œRob was supposed to cover this press conference at eleven o’clock, but he’s off on a breaking story and everyone else has a full plate.”
    â€œI know, but Noah Whittaker hates me. He’ll never field a