Embrace Me (27 page)

“
Still making the headlines, I see,” he chuckled, watching me closely.

“
Funny,” I scolded, opening the paper. Why had I let him travel with me? My blood was boiling from just looking at him as I thought about the mess he and Rachel had put me in.

“
Have you heard from Charlie?” I looked up at him bewildered. Did he really expect me to answer that? “I was only asking, Shannon. It’s going to be a long four hours if you’re not even going to talk to me.”

“
YES! I have heard from Charlie. Happy?” I huffed, going back to my paper.

“
Is he okay?”

I threw the newspaper down in annoyance. “What do you think, Mac?” I yelled. “He is so confused at the moment, and not just about you.
I
kept this from him. You have no idea how much he is hurting.”

“
But you guys will get over this. Charlie loves you…even I can see that.”

“
You and Rachel went about this the wrong way.”

“
I wanted to tell him months ago. Rachel wouldn’t let me.”

“
I don’t really want to have this conversation right now, Mac. We have a big presentation to prepare for.”

“
Prepare?” Mac laughed. “Shannon, you know I am the king of talk. I don’t need to prepare for this presentation.” That was Mac—always the big head.

“
Well, we can’t all be as wonderful as you, Mac.”

“
Wonderful, you say? Shannon, I had no idea you cared so much.” He smirked at me and I couldn’t help but think about Charlie.

“
I don’t care,” I mumbled, getting my laptop out of my bag.

“
Not even a little?” He winked. “We
are
sort of family, after all.”

“
Is that what you’re hoping for?” I raised my eyebrow at him. “If you think you can get to Charlie through me, you’re wrong. I’m not helping you. This is your own mess to sort.”

“
Trust me, Shannon, I’m aware of that.” Mac smiled sadly, looking out the small window.

We were both quiet for the rest of the journey. Frank got us both quickly into the car before Mac spoke.

“
Why hasn’t Grace accompanied you today?”

“
She has a lot to do in the office. I didn’t want to stretch her too thin.”

“
And what about you?” he asked, moving so he could look into my eyes. “Charlie wouldn’t want to see you burning yourself out like this.”

“
Don’t pretend you know anything about Charlie.”

“
I know what he did for you, Shannon. How he fought for you with the Field family.”

“
How…?” I was speechless. How the hell did Mac know about that?

“
Your mother filled me in.”

“
That wasn’t her place,” I whispered as tears filled my eyes.

“
Shannon?” He looked concerned as he leaned over to touch my shoulder. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“
It’s been an emotional few weeks, Mac. Just ignore me,” I whimpered, wiping my eyes.

“
I am so sorry about all of this. If I could change it, I would. I know I have a bad reputation, but all I ever wanted was a relationship with my brother.” As I searched Mac’s eyes, I had no doubt he was telling the truth.

“
I don’t know why, Mac, but I believe you,” I whispered as the car pulled to a stop.

“
Thank you, Shannon. Coming from you, that means a lot.” He smiled before stepping out of the car.

Even in LA, the press found me. Mac put his arm around me protectively as my security led us into the building. There were so many cameras coming at me from all different directions that I had no chance to move out of his hold.

“
You don’t need to protect me, Mac,” I frowned once we were safely inside.

“
I feel as if I need to while Charlie is away,” he smirked, straightening his tie.

“
I’d rather you didn’t,” I muttered before we entered the boardroom. “I have enough to sort out with Charlie without him thinking I am consorting with the enemy.”

“
The enemy
. Is that what he thinks I am?” Mac’s voice was raised as he looked at me in surprise.

“
Well, you sure as hell aren’t his favorite person at the moment.” Mac was going to speak, but we were interrupted by the directors entering the room. “We better get on with the presentation. It’s the reason we are here, after all,” I smiled as he nodded.

Mac was right—he was the king of talk. All eight directors were eating out of the palm of his hand within minutes, with our profit margin, we knew it was a deal they couldn’t reject.

“
Will you let me at least take you to dinner before we head back? I know this amazing Italian restaurant nearby,” Mac suggested as we got back into the car.

“
I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“
Jennet wouldn’t allow it, either,” Frank called from the front seat. “I have my orders.”

“
It would just be dinner, Frank,” Mac called. “Shannon has to eat.”

“
Frank is right. We can eat on the plane, anyway.”  

“
That’s not really my idea of a meal, Shannon.”

“
It’s all I can do.” I shrugged my shoulders, looking away as the car began its way to the airport.

“
What are you scared of? Are you worried that if you get to know me you might actually like me?”

“
Mac, I am Shannon Downing. Every single member of the press is after me. I have a bounty on my head of one hundred fifty million dollars. If you think this is about me not liking you, you’re wrong. I have my own issues…as well as the ones you and Rachel have created.” I glared.

“
Sorry.” He shook his head. “I wasn’t thinking. Dinner might not be the best idea.”

The airport was quieter on the way back. I made it quite easily into the VIP lounge with the help of Frank’s security.

“
I’ll go and see what the holdup is with the plane,” Frank commented as he walked over to one of the airport staff.

Mac went outside to make a call; probably to one of his many women scattered across the globe. I found a seat in one of the spacious chairs and sank down into it. I was suddenly so exhausted I could have fallen asleep for hours. When a voice called my name, however, my eyes snapped open. How unlucky could I be in one month?

“
Well, if it isn’t Shannon
Downing
.” Megan slyly grinned at me, throwing her long blonde hair behind her shoulders. She got more beautiful by the day.

“
Can I help you, Megan?” I muttered indifferently. I didn’t have the energy for this today.

“
It didn’t take Charlie too long to see who you really are, did it, Shannon? I have to say, I loved the headlines today.” I wasn’t going to rise to her comment; I was better than that. I was better than
her
. Charlie loved me. I knew our separation wouldn’t last forever.

“
Megan, the…” Will stopped in his tracks as he eyes met with mine. I instantly shuddered at his gaze. “Shannon,” he whispered, trying to move closer but an arm stopped him.

“
Don’t even think about it, William!” Mac’s voice was deadly as he spoke. “If you don’t want a scene, you and your sister will leave,
now
.”

“
Oh,” Megan giggled, looking between Mac and me, “now I understand why Charlie left you.”

“
Charlie hasn’t left me, Megan!” I screeched, pulling myself up from my chair. I wasn’t about to allow Megan to think something was going on with Mac and me.

“
Really, Mac? Is there anyone you won’t sleep with?” she sniggered, glaring at me.

“
Megan, that’s enough,” Will replied firmly, pulling her away before we started to slap each other. I was close; my hand was ready and twitching at my side.

“
How does it feel, Shannon?” she called while Will tried to drag her away. “Is it everything you ever dreamed of? The fame…the money…knowing there is a price on your head? It will be
you
next. Mark my words. They will be after you!”

“
Ignore her, Shannon,” Mac whispered, rubbing my shoulder.

“
You’re the heartless bitch now. You’ve become what you feared!” Megan shouted. “No wonder Charlie left you. Look at yourself. I bet you’re not even the person he fell in love with anymore.”

“
Enough
, Megan!” Will bellowed as he pulled her to their departure gate.

The sobs erupted from my chest and I couldn’t pull away from the comfort of Mac’s embrace, no matter how wrong it felt. I needed Charlie, but I knew the warmth of his arms was miles away.

“
Come on, Shannon,” Mac cooed. “Let’s get you home.” I nodded woodenly, allowing him to lead me to the plane.

I slept the whole plane journey, and for once Mac didn’t mock me or ask any questions about Charlie.

“
Thanks, Mac,” I muttered as we arrived back in New York. “Sorry about Megan.”

“
It was William I was more concerned about.”

“
Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’d rather you didn’t care so much. I love Charlie. If you think you and I could ever…” I needed to make it clear to him.

“
Shannon,” Mac laughed, interrupting me. “That’s not why I protected you. I know nothing would ever happen between us and I wouldn’t want it to.”

“
Then why…” My mind was swimming and I couldn’t think straight.

“
You’re the love of my brother’s life. I feel a duty to protect you while he’s away.” I was stunned. He really did care for Charlie…more than I ever realized.

“
Oh. My. God, Mac…” I breathed. “You really care about Charlie.”

“
He is all the family I have left and I want him in my life if he will have me. I’ll do anything,” Mac smiled sadly, taking a step back. “Look after her, Frank.”

“
Always, Mr. Mac,” Frank smiled, escorting me to my private car. I couldn’t help but turn back to smile at Mac before he disappeared from my view.

“
Shannon!” I met with Grace’s worried eyes when I got back to my mansion. “Charlie has been trying to get hold of you all night.”

“
Why?”

“
He’s seen the pictures of you and Mac.”

“
What pictures?” My voice was shaking, my mind already working it out.

“
You haven’t seen them?” Grace pulled me over to her laptop and I gasped as I took in all the photos of Mac and me. The press had a lot to answer for.

“
No!” I sobbed, looking at the pictures of Mac’s arms around my waist, holding me protectively. I knew what Charlie would see in these photos, but they couldn’t have been further from the truth. “These are all misleading,” I whimpered. “I need to call Charlie.” I reached for my iPhone, noticing it had run out of battery. Damn me for sleeping on the plane. Charlie would think I had been avoiding him.

My hand was shaking as I dialed his number.

“
Shannon?” Charlie answered on the third ring. “I have been trying to call you for
hours
.” It felt so good to hear his voice, even if he did sound annoyed.

“
I’m so sorry. I fell asleep on the jet.”

“
Did Mac bore you that much?” I could sense the anger begin to flare in his tone.

“
Charlie, those pictures…” I began to plead, but he interrupted, clearly not wanting to listen to me.

“
The two of you looked pretty cozy. Is he the next best thing when I’m not around?”

“
How can you say that?” I whimpered. “I never even wanted you to go. It was just a business trip to LA. What choice did I have? Mac works for my company.”

“
It didn’t look like just business to me. His hands were all over you, Shannon!”

“
What are you trying to say?” I winced, feelings the tears fall down my face. “You really think I would cheat on you…with your
brother
?” My voice was starting to sound hysterical.

“
He is not my brother!” Charlie’s voice was cold and a sob erupted from my chest. Grace touched my shoulder to search my eyes. I looked away, not wanting her to see my pain.