Annihilate Me 2: Vol. 1 by Christina Ross Read Free Book Online

unfair.”
    “Then I guess we’ll have to strive
for equality later this evening.”
    I put my hand to my chest.   “Mr. Wenn!   I’m under your employ!   Really!”
    He smiled at that.   It was good to see him smile.
    “You look beautiful,” he said.   “I couldn’t quite hear you in the shower
when you were covered in suds and sputtering water out of your mouth like a
fountain, so sorry for asking again, but where are you and Blackwell going?”
    “Apparently, we’re going to shop
for a new dress that won’t make me look like somebody has turned me into Morticia Addams.   Barbara thought that black would look too dour at this point, and so she
wants something bolder.   Something
red.   As far as she sees it, each of
us is supposed to make a statement tonight that suggests we’re so unfazed by
everything that’s happening that we’ve become Teflon.”
    “To be fair, she does have a
point.”
    “I know she does.   And so guess what?   She and I are going to shop.”  
    “Get whatever you need.”
    “You might regret saying that
later.”
    He came forward, took me in his
arms, and kissed me on the neck.   “Anything you need,” he said in my ear.   “You’ll always have anything you need
from me.”
    “The thing is, all I want is you.”
    “Oddly, all I want is the
same—just you.”   He shrugged
at me.   “Look at us.   An old married couple already.”
    “We are not old.   Though I will say that our connection is
old.   That, in a universal sense,
our love is old.   I feel as if I’ve
known you my entire life.   How is
that?   How can that be?”
    “Exactly,” he said.   “I’ve wondered that myself, but I don’t
have an answer.”
    “So, it is what it is.”
    “It is indeed, Mrs. Wenn.   And how lucky are we?”
    I checked my makeup in the mirror a
final time, finished with a swipe of red lipstick, and then placed the palm of
my hand against his cheek.   “I love
you, Alex,” I said.   “More than
you’ll ever know.   Are you sure you
don’t need me today?   You said in
the shower that you didn’t, but God knows I have plenty of other dresses that I
can wear tonight.   I can always
cancel on Blackwell, and wear something else that’s already been fitted to me.”
    “And have Blackwell see you
photographed in the same thing twice?   She’d slap me for that.   I’m
fine.   Before yesterday’s press
conference, you gave me the very direction I plan to take today.”
    “Where is Wenn’s stock now?”
    “We’re up a point.”
    “I’ll take what I can get.”
    “Hear, hear.”
    “Would you do something for me
tonight?”
    “What’s that?”
    “I want you to personally introduce
me to the three members of the board who didn’t stand up with you
yesterday.   Will you do that?”
    “Why?”
    “Because I want to meet them.”
    “Any particular reason?”
    “You know me too well.”
    “So, what’s the reason?”
    “In a crunch, I can turn on the
charm, Alex, even for that snake Stephen Rowe.   Tonight, my mission is to win over all
of them.   And I will.”
    He narrowed his eyes at me.   “What do you have in mind?”
    “I’m just going to speak their language.   And if you don’t mind, I’m also going to
have a dance or two with each of them, starting with Rowe.”

 
 
    *   *   *

 
 
    When we left the building, the
press was indeed waiting for us.   Alex and I gave each other a quick kiss on the lips while cameras flashed,
and then we moved in separate directions toward the two limousines that waited
for us at the curbside.  
    Tank was standing outside of Alex’s
car.   I gave him a wink, which he
returned with a discreet nod.   Cutter was standing outside of mine, ready to open my door.   As the crowd closed in with cameras
snapping and reporters shouting questions at Alex and me, I kept my focus on
Cutter’s reassuring gaze as he opened the door for me.  
    I answered none of their questions.   Instead, I