Wildest Hearts

were surrounded by a handful of reporters. Microphones and minicams were everywhere.

    “Mr. Rain, how long have you two known each other?”

    “Is it true you're going to take immediate control of Lyncroft, Mr. Rain?”

    “Is it true you now own half of Lyncroft Unlimited?”

    Oliver looked at the man who had asked the last question. “Yes.”

    “You're a partner in the firm, then?”

    “The controlling partner?” another reporter demanded. “What does this mean for the company?”

    “It means,” Oliver said calmly as he and Bolt forged a path through the throng, “that Lyncroft Unlimited is safe and stable. We will proceed on schedule with Daniel Lyncroft's plans to bring the company's new technology to market.”

    “That's going to be good news for Lyncroft's investors,” a woman said quickly. “Can you tell us if there will be any delays because of the loss of Daniel Lyncroft?”

    “There will be no delays,” Oliver said. “And now you'll have to excuse us. If you have any further questions, you can contact Lyncroft public relations tomorrow.”

    “But, Mr. Rain…”

    “Wait a second, sir, this is major Northwest financial news. There were rumors Lyncroft was under pressure to sell or merge.”

    “Not any longer,” Annie said swiftly.

    “No,” Oliver agreed. “Not any longer.”

    Richard caught Oliver's eye. “You two take the limousine. We'll bring Joanna with us. See you at the penthouse.”

    “All right,” Oliver agreed.

    Bolt finished carving a path through the swirling reporters for Oliver and Annie. They were within six feet of the waiting limousine when a shout came from the corner of the block.

    “Annie! Annie, what the hell is going on here?”

    Annie turned her head at the sound of the familiar voice. Barry Cork was charging down the sidewalk. His short brown hair was tousled as if he had been running frantic fingers through it. His handsome face were set in harried lines. His tie flapped back over his shoulder and his briefcase was bumping against his thigh as he rushed toward her.

    “Barry. What are you doing here?” Annie smiled as he drew near. “I thought you were going to be in California for another few days. Have you met Oliver Rain?”

    Barry came to a halt, breathing heavily, just as Oliver and Annie reached the limousine. “No, but I know about him.” He glanced fleetingly at Oliver and then turned urgently back to Annie. “What's happening here? Is it true you just married him?”

    “Yes, and everything's going to be fine, Barry.” Annie was aware of Joanna and the Rains moving forward to surround them and in the process hold the curious reporters at bay. Oliver's hand tightened on her arm.

    “What the hell do you think you're doing?” Barry hissed in a low voice. He shot another hard look at Oliver. “Have you gone crazy? You've given him half your company, haven't you?”

    “Barry, listen, I can explain…”

    “That's why he's married you. To get his hands on Lyncroft Unlimited.”

    “You've got it backward,” Annie said. “I'll explain it to you later.”

    Bolt had the limousine door open. Oliver started to bundle Annie inside.

    Barry grabbed her arm. His eyes were wild. “Are you nuts? Don't you know what's happening here? Oliver Rain has just taken over your company.”

    “Stop it, Barry,” Annie said, pitching her voice low to avoid having the reporters and the rest of the Rains overhear. “You're getting hysterical. Lyncroft is perfectly safe. For now Oliver is my partner. That's all there is to it.”

    “You think so?” Barry demanded fiercely. “You think it's that simple?”

    Oliver reached out and ripped Barry's clutching fingers off Annie's arm. “Take your hands off my wife.”

    Barry jerked his hand back as if it had been burned. But his desperate eyes never left Annie's face. “Ask him what happened to a guy named Walker Gresham. Go ahead, Annie.Ask him .”

    “Let's go, Annie.” Oliver prodded her gently but firmly into the limousine. Bolt stood close. His mirrored sunglasses reflected Barry's distraught face.

    “Barry, I don't understand why you're so upset. Everything is going to be fine.” Annie broke off as Oliver got her inside the car and slid in beside her.

    Barry bent down to lean into the back of the car as Bolt started to close the door. “Annie, for God's sake, listen to me. Five years ago a man named Walker Gresham was a partner in a company Rain took over. Gresham died