Chapter 73

Charles and I didn't make it into his office before Amy began to update us.

"It's like you expected," she said, her face a mixture of anger, worry, and urgency. "The government, or someone, is starting a counternarrative campaign and it's turned personal."

She looked at me. "I just want to warn you, Elena. They've come after you as well."

Charles looked thunderous at this. "Show me," he said and leaned over Amy's desk as she pulled up footage on her screen.

The only other major news outlet in town had a picture of Charles and myself at the rally, just a little while ago with the headline "Power Grab" in enormous font over the top.

Other video reports were a mixture of footage both old and new of Charles walking, talking, waving, and even some of both of us getting out of the car at Matilda's party. The voice of the reporter over the top narrated about Charles using his media company to try to influence public opinion and ultimately take over the politics of the city.

"His most recent girlfriend, Elena Laurentia," it continued, "has a similar ambitious and cut-throat history with smear campaigns and using alternative stories to trample her competition and use accusations to further her career."

Craig, my former manager, appeared on the screen, looking aggrieved and upset.

"She accused me of harassment, and the next thing I know I've been fired and she's suddenly promoted to the top. Now she's got the ear of the most powerful man in the city. She's truly poisonous and the entire population should be concerned at what these two are attempting to do."

The reporter off screen asked what exactly Charles Rafe and Elena Laurentia were trying to do, and Craig shrugged.

"There's a lot happening if you pay attention. Just look at how Rafe Media is buying other media companies. That's not right, is it? Only one voice out there? And someone should look into the money. Follow Rafe Media's funds and I bet you'll find payments from other species."

The film clip ended and Amy closed the screen. I realized my hand had flown to my mouth in horror.

I looked at Charles who seemed less upset than I imagined he would.

He looked at me, however, and his brow creased. "Are you okay, Elena?" He put his arm around me. "This isn't as bad as I thought it would be."

I was baffled by this, and yet comforted in a way. Charles knew what he was doing, and if he wasn't worried then there was no need for me to be concerned either.

He smiled at me and then looked at Amy. "Will you order us some lunch? I'm thinking tacos."

Amy nodded. "Sure. And then just tell me how you want to respond and I'll have the wheels in motion right away."

Charles nodded. "Give me an hour. I already have a few ideas." He was now guiding me into his office, as if I were fragile and he was afraid I would break.

I sat on the couch, trying not to be upset, but it was difficult. I couldn't tell if Charles wasn't worried for my benefit or if he truly wasn't concerned.

He probably was used to criticism, I considered. But this still seemed extreme.

He pulled a chair close to me and sat in it, looking into my face, and holding my hands. "You're upset," he said.

"You're not," I said back.

He shrugged. "I am, but I'm a man of action, so I'm already thinking about how to counteract it. Plus, I'm heartened in that they did a very bad job."

"They did?"

"Yes, everything they said is so easy to prove wrong and so easy to dispute that this will be a walk in the park compared to other smear campaigns I've seen."

"Oh," I said, still feeling small. "I guess I just can't see the big picture right now."

He put a hand on my face and leaned in, kissing me softly, then longer as he felt me relax under his touch. When he pulled back, he brushed hair from my eyes and said, "You're not used to this. I'm sorry, Elena. I forget your skin isn't as tough as mine yet."

He kissed me again and I let the sensation wipe any stress momentarily from my mind. I felt the heat of his mouth, felt the prick of desire in my body.

"Charles," I whispered as soon as my lips are able.

"Yes?"

"Do you think we need to be seen less together? Is it hurting the cause to be a couple?"

He paused and his eyes looked deep into mine, close, blue, and stunning. "Not unless you personally feel awkward around me or dislike the media coverage you're getting."

I rushed to stop him. "That's not it at all. It's not personal, I promise. I want to be seen with you. I told you it's my dream come true, and I meant it. I just don't want to hurt the overall cause, you know?"

"I don't think anyone is going to seriously think we are a power-grabbing couple unless you start running for office from the city hall steps during the protests."

I smile at the absurdity of this idea. I could hardly speak in front of a conference room of fellow reporters, let alone a crowd.

"Good," I said. "Because I didn't want to have to sneak around to see you. I love doing this in public," I say, stroking his hand.

He kissed me again and for a moment we were lost in the taste of one another.

"I don't want you to worry, okay, Elena?" He sat up and sighed. "Imagine how many people out in that square sang your praises. Imagine how adamantly Mrs. Addison and Ms. Beale will stand up for you if interviewed."

"I guess that's true," I said, feeling a little less tension in my chest.

He smiled, seeing my face brighten. "We will get another person who Craig has assaulted, and you know there were many, to discredit him. Your character and personality will shine through and you'll come out of this looking even better."

He stood and moved to his desk. "But really, what's great about this is we don't need to come out strong. We've done enough public appearances where we said the right things that if we just ignore it and continue on with the reporting, we will drown their accusations out with actual, important news. Too many people have been negatively affected not to be on our side."

After lunch Charles and I went down to the lobby to meet Sally and Matilda by the coffee cart in the entrance.

Every few moments people stopped to shake Charles' hand and thank him for his support of them. Many also expressed a willingness to do whatever was necessary to help the city and the company.

I stood back, watching him interact with his employees, standing tall and confident among them, assuring them. His Alphaness radiated security and strength, and anyone who interacted with him came away with hope in their eyes.

"Well, you've got quite the crowd here," I heard Sally's voice say. I looked up and smiled, seeing her approaching not Charles, but me.

"What do you mean?"

I looked around and realized there were a number of people standing around me as well, quietly sipping their coffee and checking their phones, relaxing and looking at ease.

Occasionally someone would look up at me and smile peacefully, and then go back to what they were doing.

"What's going on?" I asked Sally, who just smiled at me. She inhaled deeply and her own eyes lost some of their hardness.

"You don't know, Elena?" she asked.

Matilda approached and smiled. "Ready?" she asked.

There was a meeting of the fire and police chiefs that we were going to cover, and we were a protective pod that afternoon, an assigned group of three that would never be out of each other's sight as we went on assignment.

Charles walked up to us and beamed. "My power trio," he said, holding the door open as we left the building. His own car was parked at the curb.

"Have a productive time, ladies," he called as he got into his car on his way to another meeting.

We waved and turned to go the other direction down the block.

A motor bike I recognized zipped past, and a figure that looked familiar was crouched on it, pulling in behind Charles' departing car.

I stopped turned to watch, dread filling my stomach.

"What is it?" Sally turned to look with me.

"That guy on the motorbike behind Charles," I said, pulling my phone from my pocket. "That's Jessica's killer."