Chapter 71

"Oh my goddess," Amy gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Do you think he's the one who attacked Jessica?"

Charles and I looked at each other and despite being together less than a week, I see we instantly understand each other.

I shrugged. "There's no way of knowing right now," I said. "He's probably still in jail. And until we know for sure we shouldn't jump to conclusions."

Amy nodded. I see Cathy look at Todd and watch in approval as he gives her hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Todd," Charles said thoughtfully. "What are the chances this could have been faked?"

"Faked? In what way?"

"Maybe these aren't the actual people here or the voices are being made to sound like they're saying something they aren't."

Todd nodded and thought for a moment. "There's always that possibility, but I'd say with this particular kind of video the chances are pretty thin."

"Why is that?"

"Because it's so basic. There's really nothing to it, and because of that it's hard to mess with without it looking obvious."

"I wish I could know for sure before I start to spread it to all the media outlets."

We all looked at Charles in surprise. He shook his head. "I can't just sit on this, even if I'm not one hundred percent sure of it. The implications are too frightening."

We all looked at the screen and nodded.

"If you don't, I will," Sally said, still fuming and pointing at the screen. "This evil bastard needs to go down. Just let me know what you need."

"Me, too," Todd said unexpectedly, standing and offering Charles' chair back to him. "I can take a deeper look at this and try to find any analytics that can help."

Charles nodded. "Thank you, Todd. I don't know if you want to get involved in this. We've had two killed already."

Cathy looked worried but Todd shook his head. "What they're doing effects me, effects all of us, actually." Cathy sat up taller and looked at him like he was made of candy, obviously impressed with his answer.

Charles smiled. "I may actually start by stealing your words, Todd. I need to address people and that I can spot a good rhetorical phrase when I hear it. Elena, Sally, can you appear at some meetings with me?"

Charles sat at his desk and began to map out what he was going to do. He wrote lists of names and made notes for various editors.

Amy was given the list to contact and Sally and I a separate list and names of the security details available. We spent the next hour sorting people out and helping Amy call people and set up meetings.

"Elena," Charles stuck his head into the conference room. "Can I have a moment?"

"Sure," I said, getting up and following him into the office. He closed the door and pulled me to him. He pressed his nose into my neck.

"Mm," he said. "This is just what I needed."

He began to kiss up my neck, sending shivers down my body. He put a hand to my blouse and my nipple obliged, getting hard under his hot hand. He stroked it, making my breath hitch.

He looked at me with hazy, soft eyes. "Are you okay with being a part of this? You are doing enough with reporting."

"I want to help you the best way I can."

He smiled, moving back to my ear and biting on the lobe. I moaned softly and put my hands on his chest. "Are you trying to seduce me in the middle of all this?"

"Is it working?"

"Yes," I said, turning my face up to him. He kissed me gently, and inhaled when we pulled apart. "I just needed a few moments alone with you. You settle me, Elena. You make me feel like it's all going to go right."

"It is," I said, smiling up at him, touching his firm jaw. With an Alpha like him in charge, how could it not?

From his desk came the sounds of his phone's alarm. He sighed. "Back to it. Promise you'll let me kiss you everywhere when this day is over." He pushed his thigh up between my legs and I gasped with pleasure. "And I mean everywhere."

It was an aggressive move, full of desire and dominance, and it made me hot almost instantly.

"I promise," I said, my voice coming out weak and breathless.

"Perfect," he smiled wickedly, then turned away, walking to his desk where his phone continued to sound. "Will you tell Sally I'm almost ready for you both?"

I nodded, my knees slightly weak. He turned off his phone and then looked back at me.

"Are you okay?" he grinned. "You haven't moved."

"You..." I didn't know what to call him, so just shot him a dirty, playful look and took a deep breath. I cleared my throat, stood up straight, and left the room, closing the door behind me.

When I sat back down in the conference room Sally looked at me out of the corner of her eyes and smiled.

"He says he's almost ready for us," I said.

"Oh really?" she replied, her voice implying she had no illusions about why I'd been called into the office.

"Really," I said, smiling, trying not to blush, but I could feel it wasn't working.

"Good for you two," she said, finally looking at me. "It's about time he was happy, and you're perfect for him. You're obviously a good scent match."

I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

"It's okay, Elena! Don't mind me. I just enjoy teasing you and am enjoying watching you two be in love."

Sally, Amy and I sat behind Charles as he met with large groups over zoom meetings and facetime groups. Many were groups of local Alphas or community leaders Charles trusted and had already sent the video to.

In the conference room where the editors and heads of departments all met, I put up copies of our security schedule, showing which people would be protected by which body guards, complete with meeting times and car services. Sally talked about how to treat assignments, Charles just over her shoulder, and gave a brief history of the crooked city counselman and his murderous son.

If there was a killer out to get us at the request of his father, Charles said to them, he wasn't going to take any chances. All employees of Rafe Media must travel with others or guards until the killer was caught.

Amy had done most of the legwork to make the conferences and meetings happen, and I noticed she was sitting alone in the corner while the editors asked questions or Sally and Charles were talking.

I slowly sidled up next to her and sat as close as I could. When no one was watching I leaned toward her.

"You've been amazing," I said, putting my hand out to her. She took it and squeezed, and she didn't let go. I could see tears building in her eyes.

She leaned toward me and took a deep breath, as if she was about to speak. Something stopped her and she inhaled more deeply. A look of peace settled over her face and she closed her eyes, her breathing steadying.

When she opened them again and looked at me, she had an odd expression on her face.

"Are you okay?" I whispered to her, feeling a little nervous at the way she was looking at me.

"Your scent, Elena," she started to smile, her face full of wonder. "Has it always been like this?"