Ruthless by Shelia M. Goss Read Free Book Online Page B

Wade walked in, looking flustered. “Trisha told me.”
    â€œWho let this leak? Some heads are about to roll.”
    â€œMr. King, the leak didn’t come from my office. I promise you that. I’ve been handling this directly myself.”
    â€œNow that it’s being leaked, I have no choice but to make an official announcement.” David hit the intercom button on his phone. “Trisha, I need you to work with Wade and get a press release typed up.”
    â€œThis trade agreement between us and the news affiliate in Hong Kong isn’t such a bad thing,” Wade said, trying to assure him.
    â€œNo, it isn’t, but I decide when news is told. We have a leak in-house, and I need to find out who. When I do, he or she better hope I show mercy.”
    Two hours later David had to exit his own building by the back door because reporters were camped out in front. David enjoyed the riches of his success but hated some of the things that came along with his rise to power. Not having privacy and being hounded by nosy reporters were among them.
    He also hated to be called the black Trump. He was his own man. If anything, he wanted them to call him a man of God. That was who he was imaged after. Not some man who happened to catch a lucky break and make millions.
    David’s driver eased through the alleyway and out into the Dallas traffic. He had eluded the reporters, and David was happy to have avoided them once again. He had a dinner function to attend later on that night. It would give Wade time to prepare a statement and send it out to the press.
    He dialed Wade’s cell phone number. “Wade, how’s that press release coming?” he asked as he flipped through a business proposal he wanted to go over before Monday.
    â€œI just e-mailed it to you. I’m waiting on your approval, and then I’ll get it out to everyone,” Wade said.
    â€œGreat. Hold on.” David downloaded the press release while Wade was on the phone. He read it. “Sounds good. Send it.”
    David was home only long enough to shower and dress. His three-piece, custom-made suit fit his body perfectly. He called his date for the night, Heather, to let her know he was on his way to pick her up.
    David made a few phone calls while his driver drove to pick up Heather. He was still on the phone when they pulled up to her address. He sent the driver to her door. He could tell by the frown on her face that she wasn’t too happy about it. His eyes scanned her body and hoped that he could replace her frown with a smile later that night.
    David ended the call. “Heather, thanks for agreeing to be my date tonight.”
    â€œI want you to know that I’m tired of being your arm candy. When are we going to take our relationship to another level?” Heather asked and then rambled on and on.
    David thought about the rise of his stock with the news of his new Hong Kong deal. He thought about how Heather would look naked but snapped out of those thoughts when he heard his name called several times.
    Looking irritated, Heather said, “Wipe that smirk off your face. I swear you have a one-track mind.”
    â€œI’m guilty as charged,” David said. David loved the Lord, indeed, but had never professed to be a saint. Women were his weakness.
    â€œIf I didn’t want to see my picture in the paper tomorrow, I would tell your driver to take me back home,” she announced.
    â€œIf I didn’t want to be seen with the prettiest woman in Dallas, I would tell my driver to take you back home,” David said.
    David knew flattering Heather would work. She had to be one of the vainest women he knew. That was another reason why she could never be more to him than the role she now played: eye candy and an arm piece for when he needed a date to events such as these.
    She had a reputation of being a gold digger, but she would never get her claws on his money. He had two ex-wives and was