Free Wild Cat by Christine Feehan Page A

thing, including her self-esteem. “Who are you?” she whispered. “Because I don’t know anymore.”
    She lifted her chin and went to the security desk. “I don’t have an appointment with Mr. Bannaconni, but please call up to his office and tell him Siena Arnotto is here and it’s an emergency. I really, really need to see him. Immediately.”
    That was the best she could do. The security guard at the desk looked at his consoles, into each screen as though she might be a terrorist bent on Bannaconni’s destruction, then at her, the door, and lifted the phone, speaking into it briefly. When he put it down, she honestly couldn’t tell if she’d been granted an audience or not. The one thing she did know was that Jake Bannaconni was in his office.
    Her leopard suddenly reacted, going on alert. She turned her head and saw two men in dark suits closing in on her. She waited.
    â€œCome with us.” One of the men motioned her toward the elevator.
    She went with them, taking shallow breaths. Every single step seemed to jar her injured ribs. Her ribs really, reallyneeded attention. She had bruises and knew they were still visible in spite of her makeup, because both men scrutinized her face carefully and she could see the look they exchanged. These men were not happy, and they would never believe the boxing story.
    In spite of the fact that she couldn’t hide the beating she’d taken, she had dressed carefully for the occasion, her best dove gray suit, the one that made her look all business in spite of her age. Short jacket with a series of ruffles from waist to the middle of her bottom, flowing over her matching skirt with her soft pink shell. She loved that shell because she could match it to her favorite high heels, the ones that made her legs look long when they really weren’t. She had put her hair up in a thick intricate braid that wound in a figure eight at the back of her head. She had armor, and right now she really needed it.
    Bannaconni’s secretary looked up as the security guards walked her through the enormous outer office with its artwork and comfortable furniture. She waved her hand and reached for the phone, presumably to inform her boss she’d arrived. The man who had spoken opened the door for her, stepped back and indicated she go in alone. Siena didn’t hesitate. She lifted her chin and walked in. The door closed with a soft snick and she found herself in a large corner office with glass for two walls, overlooking the city.
    The suite was so large she couldn’t see into every corner, but her leopard went wild, suddenly edgy, as if she might be in danger.
    â€œMiss Arnotto,” Jake said, standing as she entered. He indicated a chair. “Please sit down.” His eyes jumped to her face and narrowed, his darkened gaze studying her carefully. “Do you need medical attention?”
    He was observant, and she knew, in spite of the fact that she tried to hide that she could only breathe shallowly, he noticed.
    She shook her head. “I don’t want to waste your time, Mr. Bannaconni. Thank you for seeing me on such short notice. I’m grateful.”
    He walked around his desk and leaned one hip against the granite top, his eyes on her face. Seeing the bruises in spite of her makeup.
    She ignored his frown. “I know that you are friends with a man named Drake Donovan, a man who runs a security company. I once heard my grandfather say he was incorruptible and if he or his men were involved in something, that everyone else should walk away. My grandfather was very admiring, and he didn’t admire many people. I need to find Donovan.” She didn’t feel she had conveyed the urgency of the matter fully. He didn’t look in the least as if he was going to help her. His expression hadn’t changed. She leaned forward, her fingers twisting together until her knuckles turned white.