by Jill Snow
Conor looked at his audience, pleased to see more than a spark of excitement.
“I am sure you guys have questions for me. I commit to meeting each of you individually, but this will take time. Crystal will organize my schedule. Please take advantage of this opportunity. I look forward to getting to know all of you.”
Conor took a deep breath before he delivered his last comment.
“As many of you know from reading The Ugly Truth, certain comments were made about me and this company over the weekend. This matter is being handled and I do not want any member of my staff to get involved. Do I make myself clear? Do not engage either on behalf of Sunny Studios or privately in any form with the chatter about this weekend’s activities. If anyone believes they can get involved and remain anonymous, I suggest you take advantage of the severance package on offer.”
Conor ignored the rumblings of conversation his last announcement had caused.
“Thank you for your time this morning. We will meet again next Monday when I will be in a position to make clearer announcements.”
Conor left the room before anyone could catch him. He knew certain individuals couldn’t wait to speak to him, but he wanted their conversations to remain private. While he didn’t condone most of the behavior his security team had uncovered, he wasn’t about to embarrass anyone in front of their work colleagues, either. Belittling people never worked, for various reasons.
Chapter 23
When he got back to his office, Jude was waiting for him, his feet on Conor’s desk. “You’ve really gone and done it now. Sunny Studios’ share price is through the floor. Have you any idea how much money you’ve lost?”
“No, but I don’t care. We’ll make it back. I told you I have to do this.”
“Conor, with all due respect, you don’t. If you don’t like the game, okay. Get rid of it. But changing the name, the branding, the employee structure? All at the same time? That’s commercial suicide. As it is, the list of employees taking the severance package is now into double figures. That’s a huge hit.”
“Only double figures? Don’t worry so much. That will increase,” Conor said, taking perverse pleasure from the look of horror on Jude’s face. He looked pointedly at the man’s feet. Jude took the hint putting his feet back on the floor.
“Jude, I know what I’m doing. The games this company produce belong on the editing floor.”
“They can’t be that bad, Conor. It’s just a game.”
Jude’s dismissive tone irritated him. He wasn’t going to justify him with an answer.
“Conor, what on earth has gotten into you? You never took such interest in your other ventures. Why this one? Why now?”
Emily Williams. Her name popped into his head. He pushed it back, not wanting to be distracted from this conversation.
“That’s not true. I was this involved at the start and I loved it. That was my passion—seeing how the company ticked, how it interacted with its markets, where it was failing and how to turn that around. That was what I was good at. Am good at. I took my finger off the pulse when I became so successful I didn’t have the time to get as involved. And look where it got me.”
Jude made an obvious show of looking around the penthouse office showing every sign of financial security you could imagine, from autographed baseballs to the co-signed Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé photo.
“Yeah, I can see you’re really struggling,” Jude said, his sarcasm obvious.
“Shut up, Jude. You haven’t a clue what you’re talking about. I don’t care about the trappings. In the end, these sorts of things aren’t important.”
“Oh, God, don’t tell me you’ve found religion or something. Seriously, you need to wake up, Conor.”
“No, Jude, I’m not the one who needs a wake-up call. I started my company to make a difference. I wanted to stop all those takeovers which resulted in ordinary men and women out on the street. I wanted to make a difference. A real difference. Sure, this is all enjoyable. But I want more. I’m bored, Jude, bored out of my mind. Sunny Studios has given me a new lease of life. I’m going to turn this company around in my own fashion. It’s my money and I’ll do what I darn well please. Got that?”
Jude just gave him a dirty look but didn’t reply. Conor sat down and opened his laptop. He had never had reason to fall out with Jude before and he didn’t enjoy it. He flicked to his messages, and as he expected, he had dozens of appointments with staff. He quickly reviewed Twitter and other social media networks.
“Sure didn’t take long for the word from the company meeting to leak. Makes you wonder what people expect? Three months salary is a ‘measly pittance’. I wonder who said that?”
Jude didn’t respond. He was obviously still sulking but Conor just ignored him. He scrolled down more of the messages and his heart almost failed. There was another threat against Emily, but this time it was obvious the source had come from Sunny Studios. Someone on his team had threatened her. Not her company, but her personal wellbeing. They had posted pictures of her with whom he supposed was her grandmother, given the older woman’s age, having lunch in some restaurant. His stomach churned. This was totally unacceptable.
“Crystal, can you get Steven Armstrong for me, please? If possible, I want him here in person.”
“Sure thing, Conor.”
Jude’s head swiveled upwards.
“What do you need our head of security for? Am I not entitled to voice an opinion? Or am I to clear my desk and leave?”
Conor burst out laughing, assuming Jude was joking but turned it into a cough when he realized the man was serious.
“Don’t be stupid, Jude. Of course your opinion is wanted. That’s what I pay you for, after all. Nobody said I had to agree with you, though. I want to talk to Steven about something else.”
“What? Or is that another need-to-know item?”
“Stop it, Jude. I hate people being petty. I just saw Emily Williams has been threatened again.”
“With what that woman has said, you aren’t going to stop that from happening. She should be used to it.”
“Not this type of threat. It’s personal and it appears to be coming from Sunny Studios.”
“That’s just dumb. Why would anyone here threaten someone and be so obvious about it? I bet you it’s Emily herself just trying to push us into even more bad publicity.”
Conor stared at Jude. Could he hear himself? What type of individual would post sickening threats about herself online? Or even worse, include a vulnerable elderly woman. No, whatever else Emily was, she wouldn’t do that. She had genuine love for her grandmother, he had seen that for himself. Maybe Emily was difficult to understand—her behavior being bizarre at times, especially this past weekend—but to go this far? Every instinct told him she hadn’t done this. But then, who had and why were they getting Sunny Studios involved?
His buzzer rang. “Crystal.”
“Steven’s on his way, said it will cost you lunch.”
“Sure, can you book—”
“Already done.
“And my appointments?”
“Rescheduled.”
“Crystal, what would I do without you?”
“Pray you never find out, boss.”
Laughing, he cut the call.
Chapter 24
Emily hung up the phone, having spoken to her grandmother who was blissfully unaware of the internet coverage.
“Emily, what can I do? Should I call Brian?”
“No, thank you, Carrie. He’ll just give me a mouthful. Maybe call the police officer I dealt with before?” Emily couldn’t think straight. How could anyone drag her grandmother into this? The old lady had nothing to do with anything. She had never hurt anyone in her entire life. Shaking, Emily closed her eyes. If anything happened to her nana, she would never forgive herself.
“Carrie, Emily, Conor Dunne is here. He said he needed to speak to you.”
“He’s here?”
“Right outside. Do you want me to
show him in?”
Emily looked at Jason’s face. She could tell her friend was furious. She glanced at Carrie.
“I can wait outside if you want me to?” Carrie offered.
“No, stay with me. Please.”
Carrie nodded. Jason walked out and slammed the door behind him.
“Emily, do you want me to call the cops?”
“No, Carrie. Let’s listen to what he has to say first.”
Emily drew in her breath as Conor walked in the door, followed by another guy who looked like he had just stepped out of army training. His blond hair was cut close to his head, his short-sleeved T shirt outlined his six pack abs and his trousers were glued to his legs.
“Thank you for seeing me, Emily, Carrie. This is Steven Armstrong, he’s head of my personal security. I wanted him to be here with us. I saw the footage.”
Emily stood, her legs shaking. She willed them to stop. “Thank you for coming but why here? It’s obvious where the threat comes from.”
“Obvious isn’t always the reality, Ms. Williams. We are currently checking the backgrounds, and the computers, of every employee of Sunny Studios. We have reason to believe the person doing this is not working for Mr. Dunne’s company,” Steven said.
Emily sat back down, her legs feeling as if they would go out from under her. She glanced at Carrie, who was staring at the security guy.
“Do you think it could be someone here at the foundation? That’s ridiculous. Everyone here loves her. She’s known most of us for years. They have no reason to attack her.”
“With all due respect, ma’am, you can’t be sure of that. People threaten others for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes the reason is financial, other times it’s more personal.”
Emily shuddered, her eyes meeting Conor’s. His sympathy nearly made her cry with frustration. He had stood her up at the coffee shop and now he was in her office offering to help. What was his game? She tore her eyes away.
“Emily, how is your grandmother? Does she know anything?” he asked.
Emily looked up again as Conor took a step near her and then another. She couldn’t help it. She was trying to be strong but the whole idea that someone was trying to hurt her grandmother was too horrible for her to comprehend. Once one tear fell, the others soon followed. He pulled her out of her seat and wrapped his arms around her.
“He won’t get to her. I promise. Let me take you two away for a couple of days. Just until Steven and his crew sort this mess out. He’s the best in the business. I trust him with my life.”
She stared up into his face, his deep blue eyes full of concern and worry. “Why should I trust you? You didn’t show up at the coffee shop yesterday?”
“What? Which coffee shop? Sorry Emily, you’ve lost me.”
“I called your cell but it transferred to your office. I spoke to someone and they took a message.”
“Crystal? She never forgets to give me messages.”
“No, it was a man. I didn’t ask his name?”
Conor’s eyes pierced her, she could see he was confused. Did he think she was making it up?
“I am sorry, Emily, I didn’t get a message. I wouldn’t have missed a chance to speak to you.”
She stared into his eyes and found herself believing him. He seemed totally surprised about the coffee and nobody was that good an actor.
“I think we should get out of here and get to your granny as soon as possible.”
Before she could second guess herself, she found herself agreeing. She had to protect Nana.
“Carrie, can you handle things here?”
“Yes, of course, Mr. Dunne.” Carrie’s cool tone didn’t go unnoticed, judging by the look Steven and Conor exchanged, but nobody commented.
“Can you give Steven access to everything he’ll need?”
Emily caught Carrie’s look. What if she were wrong? What if this was all a charade, an attempt to gain access to her files? Steven could be a spy. Oh, she was losing it. Gathering her thoughts together, she gave Carrie a nod.
“Let’s go, Emily. We will call at your place first and collect some of your stuff and then pick up your grandmother. Does she know anything?”
“No, I just spoke to her and she seemed her usual happy self.”
“Maybe it’s a relief the internet seems to have passed her by, then.”
She couldn’t answer him. She wanted him to hug her close again, make her feel safe. Then she immediately despised herself for being weak. She had managed so far on her own.
“Come on, let’s go. My car is waiting outside.”
He led her out of the office. Jason stood at his desk, glaring at Conor. Emily sent him a half smile.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going away for a couple of days. Carrie is in charge while I’m gone,” Emily said.
“But you can’t just go. We have to do the vlog, and what about the—”
“Ms. Williams is leaving now,” Conor said, backing her up. “I’m sure you can manage for a couple of days.”
Emily spotted the mulish look on Jason’s face before he hid it. She took a step toward him but Conor kept moving, pulling her along with him. Outside, he opened the car door and waited while she got in before he went over to the driver’s side.
“How long has this been going on, Emily?”
“With Nana?”
“No, from the start. It wasn’t just the photos was it?”
Emily shook her head. She told him about the messages on her cell and how the police couldn’t trace the source. Then there were the photos, and the messages about her bedroom, the threats to have her reenact the scenes from the game. Now her grandmother.
“Emily, you should have said something. Told me all of this when you showed me the photos. I could have helped.”
Emily stayed silent.
“I’m really sorry. I was in meetings all day. I didn’t get the message about the coffee shop. Did you wait long?”
“Only a few minutes or so.” Emily didn’t want him to know she had waited for ages. He seemed sincere and he was being very nice now, but had he really not gotten the message?
Chapter 25
Conor glanced at her before he turned his attention back to the traffic. In no time, they were at her building. Dan was on duty, which was some relief. He looked at Emily with concern.
“You’re very pale, Ms. Williams. Anything I can do?”
“No, thank you, Dan. I’m fine.”
“No, she isn’t. I’m taking Emily to stay at my place for a few days. In the meantime, my security people will be visiting her apartment. I want you to give them access. I also need you to tell them if you have seen anyone suspicious hanging around.”
“You in trouble, Ms. Williams?”
“Just a little problem, Dan. Please don’t worry about it.”
“I will help your friend’s people. Anything you need you just ask, you hear me?”
“Yes, Dan, but try not to worry. I’ll be okay.”
Emily glowered at Conor but didn’t say a word until he closed the apartment door behind them and they were alone.
“Did you have to do that? Dan had a heart attack last year. He doesn’t need the stress.”
“He’s just doing his job.”
“You could have been nicer to him. You just walked in here and ordered him around.”
He gave her an impatient look but had the grace to also look a little ashamed.
“Sorry, I’ll apologize. I didn’t mean to do that but I got to be honest with you, Emily, I want to catch this scumbag myself and batter him. What type of dirt bag threatens an elderly lady and a young woman?”
“I don’t know.”
He took a step toward her, looking at her all the time before he took another step. He had her in his arms and brought his head down to hers before her brain would engage. His lips met her forehead in the sweetest of kisses.
“I will look after you. I promise.”
The sleepless nights
she had endured since the threats had started were making her vulnerable. She couldn’t think straight and it was nice to know someone had her back. She’d been so worried, not wanting to put Jason or Carrie in danger yet not knowing who else to turn to. For once in her life, she felt totally safe and protected. It was an awesome feeling.
“You don’t need to take much. We can always come back for anything you forget. We don’t want to alarm your gran.”
She stood with her back against the door. He was so kind to think of her grandmother. Her emotions were all over the place—one minute she was terrified of what could have happened and the other she was thrilled that he seemed to return her feelings.
“All done,” she said a few minutes later, stepping out of her room with a small suitcase packed to capacity.
“You got your toothbrush?”
She nodded.
“Good, because I hate sharing.”
Shocked, she glanced up at him to see his eyes twinkling. He smiled and she smiled back.
“Thank you, Conor.”
“You’re welcome, but somehow I think I have done very well out of this arrangement.” He took her bag and then waited while she did one more check before locking her front door. They walked down the stairs in silence where Dan was waiting for her.
“Dan, I wanted to apologize. I didn’t mean to tell you how to do your job, I was just worried about Emily.”
“No need to apologize, sir. It’s nice to see someone taking care of our Ms. Williams. Emily, if you need anything, you call me, okay?”
“Thank you, Dan. I’ll be home soon.”
She gave him a hug and he returned it.
“Come on, let’s go,” Conor said, holding his arm around her protectively as he walked her to his car. Again he held the door open and shut it for her. He had lovely manners. Emily was sure her grandmother would approve. But what would she think about a guy turning up to take them both away for a while? A guy Emily had only known a couple of days.