Married To The Boss Read Online Free PDF Page B

hell she was up to. Not once had he been able to reach Tanya, yet his mother had somehow gotten her to attend this impromptu meeting?
    With an effort, he kept his tone merely curious. “Care to tell me why, or is this supposed to be some kind of surprise?”
    She slanted him a look with her sharp blue eyes. “Oh, you’ll be surprised, all right.” Tilting her head over her shoulder to see the flagging Ms. Markum, she added, “You, as well, I think.”
    R.J.’s gaze briefly met Dana’s. She was walking beside the reporter, and even now he felt her unerring support, her confidence in him. With a brief shake of his head, he pushed open the reception hall doors and met his ex-lover’s startled gaze. Reining in his anger wasn’t easy, but he had no doubt that if he displayed his true feelings for Tanya, Ms. Markum would have a field day with it. He wanted his private life to remain as private as possible, which meant he had to conceal his anger behind cold contempt. Tanya received no more than a brief, dismissive glance.
    Looking restless and wary, she stood by the end of a long table. She caught her breath as he entered, panic washing over her features until she resembled a cornered animal. With feigned bravado, her gaze left R.J. and focused on Megan. “What’s going on here? If you intend to try intimidating me—”
    â€œNot at all,” Megan said, her mouth tilted in a small smile. One of the hospital guards stood at the doors, blocking the way. Tanya couldn’t have gotten far without causing a real ruckus. “I’ve decided we should get this entire situation dealt with, one way or another.”
    Tanya stared at her in wary defiance. “What does that mean? Are you going to try buying me off? Do you plan to offer more for me to walk away than ‘Tattle Today TV’ offered for me to come forward?”
    Over my dead body, R.J. thought, but he didn’t need to speak the words. Megan, looking highly insulted, said, “Never,” in a tone that had Tanya backing up a step.
    Chelsea Markum spoke for the first time. Her voice was shrill with excitement. “I think I should have a cameraman in here if you’re—”
    â€œYou can either stay or leave, Ms. Markum, but I’ve had enough of cameras.” Megan’s voice remained quiet and calm, but there was an underlying steel in her words, and not for the first time R.J. admired this woman who’d overcome a very humble beginning and was now the matriarch of one of Austin’s finest families.
    Chelsea visibly suppressed her complaints, and instead pulled out a small tape recorder.
    â€œNow then,” Megan continued, scanning the audience, “as you are all aware, I’ve been given temporary custody of the baby. After spending so much time with him, it occurred to me that there’s one positive way to identify the baby’s mother.”
    â€œBut I’m the baby’s mother!” Tanya blustered.
    â€œSo you’ve said. And you’ve also named R.J. as the father, but I admit I have my doubts. You see, R.J. simply isn’t the kind of man who could have done as you’ve claimed.”
    â€œEveryone knows we were lovers!”
    Dana’s hand settled on R.J.’s biceps. She didn’t try to restrain him, which would have been a foolish effort, but her soft touch offered a measure of calm and helped him to maintain his control. He didn’t acknowledge her in any way, fearful of the moment being misconstrued. He didn’t want Dana drawn into this small war. But he did regain his casual stance, and that reassured her enough that she removed her hand.
    â€œVery well,” Megan said, unaware of R.J.’s fury, or else able to completely ignore it. “Since I’ve had the baby in my home, I’ve noticed one very obvious clue to his true identity. As his mother, you would immediately know what I’m speaking about,