Catching Fire

by T. N. King

Melanie swung her gaze over to her. “OH? And how is it you are so informed?”

  “Now, now,” Anthony interjected defending his daughter, of course. “Let’s hear her out.”

  Morgan mentally rolled his eyes.

  “It appears that Morgan Hunt is intending to back out of the merger,” Daphne simply blurted it out.

  Mrs. Yearwood…Gloria gasped. “What?”

  Edwin sat stone still and stared at his son. Challenging him with his gaze to deny it.

  “The article I read stated this fact pretty much,” Daphne added.

  “Pretty much?” Morgan retorted. He lifted his phone up and pulled up the text that Chance had originally sent him. “The article stated no such wording, because as you damn well know the merger is not a public fact at all. We all know this.” He looked down at his smart phone screen and read it out loud, “SCANDAL. CEO Morgan Hunt is a father and he tried to escape his responsibilities to Miss Daphne Yearwood by sending in some stranger to claim the child as his, so he could frolic with his latest hookup. Apparently, the shipping mogul incident was a cover up.”

  Both Gloria and Melanie gasped at this.

  Morgan glared at Daphne. “You leaked this to the press, as you have leaked all such trash. YOU are the one forcing the shares to drop, causing scandal, disrupting major deals. Such as the Helix Corp takeover I was in the middle of today and had the board at Helix signing to when this came over their phones!” He tossed his phone on the table.

  The Yearwood’s looked aghast.

  Melanie looked angry and gazed at Daphne.

  Edwin didn’t flinch.

  And Chance, he looked anywhere but at Daphne.

  “What?” she shouted.

  “You heard me. You and your jealous games have probably cost this company 300 million dollars.”

  “I-is this true Daph?” Anthony Yearwood asked staring at her.

  “Of course, it isn’t. I had nothing to do with this article.”

  “Who else would care to leak it, to have it out there? YOU!” Morgan countered.

  Melanie Hunt stood up. “I’m confused as to what is going on.” She looked over at Daphne. “You’re pregnant?”

  Daphne smiled as she nodded.

  “Don’t get all gushy Daph,” Morgan sneered. Then he looked over at his mom. “And do not believe this tripe. You’re not getting a grandchild from this woman.”

  Gasping, as if he’d slapped her, Daphne snapped, “You will not own up to your responsibility for this OR the merger.”

  The Yearwood’s looked shocked and both of them stood up.

  “Is this true, Morgan? That you have backed off of the merger?” Anthony Yearwood asked.

  “This isn’t about that,” Morgan replied.

  “The hell it isn’t!” Daphne slung back at him.

  Edwin stood and looked around the table. “Everyone, please be seated.” His tone was as hard as iron and not a civil one, despite the polite wording.

  The Yearwood’s sat, then Melanie sat.

  He stared at Daphne and raised a dark brow.

  She lifted her chin, but then sat as well.

  Edwin then swung his gaze over to his son.

  Morgan knew this was his father’s way of taking control of the room and it was working. He’d seen this type of move before. He, himself had even used it after learning from the best manipulator himself. Morgan knew his round in this ring was over, so he sat down. He’d exposed Daphne in any case.

  “There is no need for this kind of panic. Except for perhaps losing a deal like Helix, we had set that up over six months ago.” He paused to look at Daphne.

  Yes, Morgan thought, his father knew what she’d been doing. He knew what everyone in this room was doing at all times.

  Edwin’s face showed no emotion. “You will put a retraction in, Miss Yearwood.”

  Morgan suppressed a smile.

  “What?” she asked.

  “You heard me. You will make a statement to the press that the article was false and not a word of it was true, nor do you support such lies.”

  Her eyes widened. “I-I…”

  “You will do it.” He swung his gaze over to the Yearwoods. “Anthony, Gloria, you do understand that she must. It is not worth 300 million dollars. Nor the next 300 million if she persists in this type of public mudslinging.”

  The Yearwood’s looked like statues and slid their wide eyed gazes over to their daughter and heir.

  “It is outrageous!” Daphne exclaimed smacking her hands on the table like a petulant child, as she seemed to realize she’d just lost any ground she had before this meeting.

  Edwin turned that hard focus back to her. “How is it outrageous, if you did not support, nor did you leak this article? It is your just duty and responsibility to correct it publicly. To avoid scandal to this company!”

  Her face paled and for once probably in her entire life—Daphne Yearwood had no response.

  Chance bit at his lip.

  Morgan knew Chance was stifling a grin. He knew the man was sitting there eating this up like fucking candy. Morgan also just sat in awe, as he often did at his father’s way, even when he himself would be on the other end of that kick-punch Edwin Hunt could deliver so keenly. Damn, the man was scary and brooked no argument. But he knew he could feel no glee as his turn was—

  His father swung his gaze over to Morgan.

  Yep, there it is. My turn.

  “You have agreed to the merger, have you not?”

  Morgan did not hesitate in his answer, “I did,” he answered truthfully, as he had agreed 5 years ago.

  Edwin nodded though his eyes lingered on Morgan then on Chance a bit too long.

  Chance didn’t squirm, but he held very still during this cold perusal.

  Morgan wondered at this exchange. What the hell was up here? My father has something on Chance? Fuck!

  “So, Miss Yearwood will deliver a press conference this evening in fact. She will make sure that none of what that article claimed is true to the public’s eye.”

  Daphne looked as if her head might pop off of her neck, just from the rage that made her eyes bulge. Her face looked mottled red.

  Yes, not so attractive now, are we? Morgan snickered in his head.

  “Then Morgan. You will return to Helix and patch this up.”

  Morgan nodded.

  “Wait!” Melanie spoke up.

  Edwin turned that hard look on his wife.

  She ignored it.

  Good for you, mom. Morgan hid his smile.

  “I want to know about this accusation.”

  “It has nothing to do with Hunt Industries,” Edwin snapped.

  “I does have something to do with the Hunts!” She looked over at the other couple. “And the Yearwoods. If Daphne is claiming that her child is Morgan’s and Morgan says it is not, then we need a paternity test.”

  “Fat chance of getting that.” Morgan scoffed then looked over at Chance. “Sorry for the pun.”

  Chance batted his eyes at him. Playing it entirely cool as was his usual way.

  Morgan knew that on the inside, the man was rolling in the floor mentally with laughter at how this so-called emergency meeting had gone.

  “What?” Melanie looked over at her son.

  “I asked for one when this came up a month ago. She hasn’t reciprocated nor gone for the test. I have had no call nor correspondence to go in and share my DNA. To even be able to dispute the fact that I have NOT shared it in the first damn place!”

  Daphne looked angry before, but this rocketed her to a whole new level. “That is a lie!”

  Morgan shook his head and opened his mouth to remind her of what was said at the ball.

  Chance stood up. “Umm, if I may?”

  They all turned their attention to the mostly heretofore silent board member.

  Chance pulled out his laptop and set it on the conference table. Opening it up, he hit the Enter key.

  There on the screen were Daphne and Morgan, the film
was grainy but you could see who they were.

  “Oh!” Daphne stood up. “You can’t be serious!”

  “As a heart attack, Miss Yearwood,” Chance replied.

  “Shh!” Melanie shushed her and asked, “Can you turn it up? I can’t hear it.”

  Chance did so.

  The couple appeared on the screen as everyone at the table watched breathlessly.

  Daphne was smiling at Morgan. “I just wanted you to know before…”

  Morgan’s eyes rose up from her belly that she held with both hands to her face. “Before what?”

  “Before anyone else hears about it.”

  His eyes widened. “So you’re saying that I’m the father?”

  Nodding, she again looked contrite. “I only slept with you during that time.”

  He sighed. “It isn’t mine. It has been months since we were together.”

  She gasped. “So, you’re accusing me of lying?” Her voice rose again.

  He ignored her remark. “So when can a paternity test be done?” he asked coldly.

  Her eyes rounded. “You dare accuse me of trying to trap you? I don’t need your wealth. I have my own!” Again, she was yelling.

  “Lower your voice. There are people here that don’t like scandal—“

  “Scandal?” She sneered. “Oh, you will get scandal if you don’t—”

  “What?” Morgan cut her off. “Marry you right now? Give the kid my name?”

  Livid, Daphne slapped him.

  He winced a bit but didn’t seem to care. “Paternity test Miss Yearwood. Until you call me for one, I don’t wish to hear from you.” He turned and left her in the alcove.

  Daphne stomped her foot and ripped the alcove curtain down with a hard yank.

  Chance tapped a key on the laptop and the video stopped.

  The room was again filled with an eerie silence.

  “So did you?” Melanie asked.

  Morgan and Daphne stood up as if thinking the question was for them.

  “Did you get a test done?” Melanie stared at Daphne.

  Anthony and Gloria stood up now.

  “This is horrid!” Gloria hissed.

  “Yes, yes it is.” Edwin stood.

  All gazes shot to him.

  “She has had more than a month to get this test. She hasn’t done it as far as we know. Then several times now, stories have been leaked and in fact, she herself held a press conference stating that Morgan is a deadbeat father. Yet, no test so far.”

  Daphne gasped and looked upset.

  “I see.” Melanie stood up. “So, you will get the test done and when called upon, my son will go and…have his done. This news is all shocking to me. I was out of the country during this and missed it all it seems. It is only fair to go ahead and get it done and my son will do right by you if your accusation is true.” She swung a hard look over to Morgan. “He did however, act callous when given the news, and I’m not proud of this fact.”

  Morgan felt about 2 feet tall suddenly, after feeling so victorious a moment before. His mother just didn’t know what all Daphne had done thus far…To make him act so callous. He did have to admit though, he had become jaded in all aspects of his life—except when it came to Ellie. This fact didn’t escape him. In fact, it was the very thing he knew already. He was only human when with her, only decent when he knew he could go home to her.

  Melanie then sat down, folding her hands in her lap, signaling that she was done. Gone was the power-mogul-wife attitude.

  Despite his gloomy thoughts and the bit of shame she’d rightfully made him feel, Morgan felt more than proud of his mother as it had always sickened him that she’d never really stood up to his father as far as he knew. Well, all saw it today that when pushed…Melanie Hunt would shove back.

  Gloria Yearwood nodded. “I too, agree on both points. She will get the test done and…” She glared over at Morgan. “A gentleman should know better than to act so heartless.” She too, sat down.

  Edwin stood up as if none of the scorn had ever happened. “Meeting adjourned.” He turned and made his way out, ignoring them all.

  Daphne huffed and stomped out.

  The Yearwood’s also made their quiet way out.

  Meanie stopped her elegant stride in front of Morgan.

  He nodded his head. “I am sorry mother.”

  She took a deep breath then let it out. “She is such a little bitch.” Then she gracefully walked out.

  Chance halted for a second at this remark and snickered as he shut his laptop then grabbed his phone.

  Morgan’s mouth popped open with shock then he looked over at his friend. “Wait a damn minute!”

  Chance turned to him.

  “Where the hell did you get that video?”

  Chance shrugged. “I got it from a reporter. Paid a good amount and threatened lots of things.”

  Morgan shook his head and sighed. “What? So you just go around behind me and—”

  “And what?” Chance looked a bit rebuffed. “Clean up your messes?”

  Morgan shut his open mouth. Yes, that was about right, he realized. Chance had been there all the way through this. Helped with Ellie and that scum of the earth, Hillborn. Then apparently, was on top of this situation as well.

  “I do it for our future. I know you didn’t ask for Daphne to do this. But…you just had to sleep with her, remember?”

  Morgan shook his head. “Yes and what a fucking privilege that was, right? Just think it could’ve been you in my shoes.”

  Chance laughed then stepped close. “The only time that I ever wished for that was when you found Miss White.”

  Morgan stood rock still.

  Chance patted his shoulder. “But if you lose her? Now that is when I won’t wish to be in your damn shoes.” His phone dinged and he raised it tapping his screen.

  Morgan had nothing to say. It was true. None of this that just happened would even matter. Not if he truly lost Ellie. He turned to rush out, so he could catch the next flight to Philly.

  “Morgan!” Chance called out as he caught up with him at the elevator. The doors opened and he stepped in turning to face him.

  Morgan stared at him.

  “Come on. We have to go. I just got a text about Ellie.”

  Morgan rushed in and tapped the elevator button. “What happened?”

  Chance shook his head at him. “My guy had her then she disappeared.”

  Morgan turned to him and clenched his fists.

  “Now, Morgan. Don’t even think of wrinkling my suit or I’ll clock you but fucking good!” The doors opened again and he rushed out.

  Morgan felt like the world just tilted. Disappeared? He ran out after his friend.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Ellie felt like hell. What happened? She was on a bed, this she knew. But where? She forced her eyes open. The room didn’t really come into focus.

  “Are you okay?”

  Who is that? She turned her head.

  “I-I didn’t know what to do,” he said.

  “W-who are you?” she asked as her sight still didn’t clear up.

  “Don’t you know?” he asked.

  This was getting her nowhere. “No…Where am I?”

  “In a small hotel.”

  “Why am I here?” she asked.

  “You don’t remember?” he replied.

  “I-I…” She wasn’t sure about anything. She grabbed her head as a glancing pain shot across her temples.

  “Here, let me get you some aspirin,” he said.

  She heard clinking and some rustling. She turned her head and tried to see what was happening. Her vision had spots in it.

  “Here.”

  Ellie felt confused and disoriented. “What?”

  A plastic glass was pressed to her hand and she gripped it.

  Then the man opened up her curled fingers of her other hand and placed something on her open palm. “It’s two aspirins.”

  Ellie raised the pills and popped them into her m
outh then chased them with the glass of…what tasted like water. Then she halted. Wait! You just took some pills that you couldn’t see from a man you couldn’t see!

  “A-are you okay?” he asked from the other side of the bed now.

  Her head turned toward his voice. She tried her best to see him. All she could see was an outline of him. She dropped the glass with a clunk.

  “What is it?” he asked with concern in his voice.

  “I-I…” Ellie rose up and jumped out of bed, slamming her knee into something hard. “Oh! Oww!”

  Strong hands grabbed her up and sat her back on the bed. “Oh, man you are going to hurt yourself!”

  Ellie shook all over.

  “Look I won’t hurt you. Don’t try to run away cause you might hurt yourself more.”

  “I-I can’t see,” she whispered.

  “What?” he asked in a confused tone.

  Ellie stood up again. “I CAN”T SEE! I can’t see you. Or this room!”

  Silence greeted her.

  Lincoln Highway between New York and Philadelphia…

  Morgan felt like he would lose his mind. He rode with Chance in the company limo. He looked over at his friend for the tenth time in ten minutes.

  Chance had his laptop out and his phone sat there on his lap as well. Then his phone buzzed. Chance grabbed it and raised it to his ear.

  Morgan held his breath. Please let this be news of Ellie. Good news.

  “Yeah… uh-uh. No, no. Stay with it. We will be there in an hour. Okay.” Chance ended the call.

  “Well?” Morgan asked.

  “It was my second guy.” He then started to tap his keys on the laptop.

  “And?” Morgan pleaded.

  Chance didn’t answer.

  “CHANCE!”

  Chance jumped in his seat. He turned to stare at Morgan. “What the fuck, man? I have to do this real quick, then I’ll answer your questions. Just calm the hell down!”

  Morgan let out a breath and turned his head to look out the window, not really seeing anything there though. Helpless. That’s what he was, fucking helpless. Here he was, a mogul CEO at least, for the time being, riding in a first class brand new limo. Bank account stuffed with money. Power at his fingertips and he couldn’t do a damn thing! He couldn’t find her. In fact, he couldn’t even help to find her.