be finished. I’m not about to let that happen, even if you are.”
“So you had Dean expose Campbell yesterday before I could announce my wedding and my son this morning. How convenient. Why don’t you tell me the truth, Steve? You just wanted NCTV to be the first to blow this story wide-open. You don’t give a shit about Kelly, Matt or my well-being, for that matter.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Evan. If Kelly has a gripe, she needs to nail that bastard’s ass. Now, she has the ammunition to do it.”
Evan stepped back. “Are you kidding me? Who made you God? These are people’s lives you’re talking about here. You used to understand that, Steve. You and I. Remember? We were going to make reporting what it was meant to be. Somewhere along the line you’ve become a bottom-feeder just like the rest of them.”
Steve’s nostrils flared. “I am delivering responsible news, Evan.” He poked the air with his finger. “You are not. You got your goddamn heart wrapped up in that redhead and are holding back facts. If I didn’t shoot that newscast it wouldn’t be long before other stations got wind of the story.”
“You are wrong, Steve. No one knew about the DNA except us. And no one knows the truth behind the story, except me. You’ve always trusted my judgment. You’ve always given me whatever time and resources I needed to bring a story to light. What is it? Political pressure from your boss? Ratings? That fat bonus to pay off your beach house? You caved here, Steve. Not me.”
The two men were practically nose-to-nose. Their voices no doubt were carrying down the corridor as folks starting coming from their offices to view their argument from the fishbowl that was Steve’s sprawling office.
Steve glanced at the onlookers then turned back to Evan. He released a held breath. “You know something, Ev? I think this is one time you’ve put too much emotion into your story. I’ll have Bethany sit in for you this morning and we’ll run the interviews you’ve already taped. Why don’t you take a long weekend and think this one through. We’ll talk again on Monday.”
Just like that, Steve was tossing a left-handed threat. He was sending him home for what? To rethink how important his job was? Recount the ten years he and Steve have built between them? His commitment to moral journalism? Did Steve want him to take time off to remember how hard he’d worked and how far he’d come in achieving his heart’s dream? Was he supposed to reevaluate whether his own stance on Kelly was right for the good of the station and his job?
Like a finger snap, it hit. Nothing meant more to him than Kelly. Even when he was in Europe she had invaded his thoughts and curled up in his mind like a soft caress. Now over these past months, her strong will, drop-dead gorgeous Irish grin and those smiling eyes had burrowed into his heart. He was hooked on her sexy brogue and alluring body. She’d snagged his heart for good last night when they made love and she looked at him with passion and awe in her eyes like she’d never known such magic, never felt such happiness. And Matt’s face when he had hugged his legs and called him Dad. He almost groaned knowing he’d lost these two precious people in his life because his boss and friend ignored his request in favor of making headlines.
No, Evan didn’t need to take a few days off to ponder his future. He knew exactly what to do.
Meeting Steve’s gaze, he sighed. “Forget it, Steve. I don’t need a long weekend. You can give my job to your new rising lackey. I quit.”
Steve scoffed. “You can’t quit. We have a contract. You’re mine for the next three years.”
Evan headed for the door. “So sue me.”
* * *
“WHAT DO YOU mean, you quit your job?” Julie McKenna and Evan’s dad, Sean, were having their morning coffee in their suite at the Ritz. They had come in for the wedding. Of course, Julie became distressed that he wasn’t on the television when they had turned on the show to watch their son.“Who’ll do your show?”
“Bethany Dodge. She’ll do fine.”
Sean refilled his cup from the steaming coffeepot. Evan shared the same aqua-blue eyes as Julie, but he had inherited his dad’s tall, lean build. Strands of silver hair streaked Sean’s jet-black hair as it would eventually streak Evan’s. Sean’s light