As though by osmosis his brothers seemed to pass them and blocked the eager reporters and photographers from getting too close.
“Ladies and gentlemen, in a few moments, Jacob Kingdom will give a statement. When he is finished, there will be a short question and answer session.” It was at moments like these that Delphine came into her own. Her no-nonsense air was exactly what was needed.
Still holding MacKenzie’s hand, Jake took one more step forward before he began to address the gathered throng. Pushing and shoving the crowd grew closer as the flashing bulbs again exploded in their faces.
It took everything within Jake not to reach out and grab the sun burnt man standing directly in front of MacKenzie. The sound of his camera made a whirling sound that was rapidly getting on his nerves. They had been standing outside the gate for mere minutes, and he already had the urge to make the photographer sit on his long lens.
The next moment, the offending piece of equipment was on the ground. Jason had moved so quickly it had even caught him unawares. One moment it was in the man’s hands, and the next Jason had kicked it in Josh’s direction. Josh used the heel of his boot to kick the camera behind where they were standing.
Delphine chose that moment to intervene and shout over the hum that had begun with their arrival. “Ladies and gentlemen, if you do not step back, this interview will be over!”
It took them turning around as though to carry out Delphine’s threat for quiet to descend.
“Thank you. Now if you are all ready, Jacob Kingdom has something to say... Jake.” When Delphine looked in his direction, Jake was ready to play his part in the fiasco.
“My name is Jacob Kingdom and this is my fiancée, MacKenzie Braithwaite.” Jake paused as the sound of voices rose, shooting off question after question.
“How long have you been engaged?”
“Does Carlos Ernesto know about your engagement?”
“If the stories are to be believed, aren’t you worried about your fortune?”
Everything else faded into the background. For Jake, the last question was the only one that stood out. Pinning the hapless man with a deadly regard, Jake silently stared him down, the reporter’s face imprinted in his brain. The smile the reporter wore, diminished a little at a time, until all color had drained from his face. When Jake was certain the reporter recognized the face of an enemy, he turned away.
Without looking at MacKenzie, he gave her hand that was still clasped in his a gentle squeeze of reassurance.
Jake remained silent. Finally, the realization dawned that their questions would not be answered until he completed his statement.
“I speak for my entire family in the matter that has caused you all to be gathered here. We refute the accusations that have been made against Ms. Braithwaite.
We understand that the Ernesto family are going through a period of upheaval at this time; however, this has nothing to do with Ms. Braithwaite. Should anyone...” Jake paused to ensure he had their full attention. “... and I mean anyone, choose to persist with these unfounded allegations, we will not hesitate to use our combined fortune to seek redress.
All parties involved have to the close of business today to publicly retract each and every slanderous comment they have seen fit to make.”
Stepping forward, Delphine announced that Jake would now take a few questions. Pointing to a woman in jeans and a flowered blouse, Delphine nodded.
“Mr. Kingdom, you spoke of some form of upheaval within the Ernesto family. Could you elaborate on that?”
“Of course, I could,” Jake said with a smile. “However I will not do so at this time. I will leave that to the Ernestos’. My family and I have never used others to ensure our point is well made. Next question.”
Delphine pointed to another reporter.
“Abe Gantz, from the Tribune...”
Gantz paused, and Jake’s body tensed. Jake was as certain as he was standing before this mob that he was about to hear something he wasn’t prepared for.
“Ms. Braithwaite, isn’t it true that as a teenager you aborted a child because the trap you set for the father backfired?”
The crowd erupted with shouts and flashes sparked in rapid succession blinding him. Jake was stunned, but it didn’t show. The grip MacKenzie had on his hand was so tight, his fingers went numb.
Jake knew he couldn’t let such an inflammatory comment go unanswered. “Abe Gantz of the Tribune,” Jake spoke slowly and with deliberation. “My statement still stands. We will not tolerate unfounded and slanderous accusations.”
His brothers and father closed ranks, stepping in front of them as Jake pulled MacKenzie back through the gate.