“Maybe I should just tear the phones out of the walls.”
Ellie was tempted to let him but then reality set in. “Then they’d come to the door.”
“Good point.”
Chapter Sixteen
“I’m really sorry that I had to make you be here.” Director Tom Quish appeared sincere as he glanced between Ellie and Fury. “Justice is furious with me but I have more experience handling the press and the public than he does. Most people love a good romance. We need those people on our side. They want to see you together and it will squash all the nasty rumors circulating in the tabloids.”
“Do we want to ask what those rumors are?” Fury arched his eyebrow.
Tom shook his head. “Not really, unless you really do have Ellie locked up, living inside a doghouse and chained with a collar to get revenge on humans for what was done to you. It’s crap like that.”
Ellie turned her head to smile up Fury. “That sounds kind of kinky.”
He laughed. “Maybe I’ll build a doghouse.”
“That’s what I need,” Tom encouraged them. “You are both taking all this really well.”
Fury shrugged. “I got angry but Ellie told me it only made it worse. She cried when I swore I would kill them all.”
Tom’s smile faded instantly. His eyes widened in horror.
Ellie chuckled. “He’s kidding.”
“Thank God.” Tom smiled again.
“I didn’t cry when he said that. I told him I didn’t like seeing blood.”
Fury chuckled. Ellie winked at him. Tom groaned.
“You two are going to kill me out there if you act this way. People won’t know what to think of you. I’m hoping that was a joke.”
“They think I’m a savage animal who is forcing Ellie to be my sex slave.” Fury’s teeth clenched. “Am I wrong?”
“Calm down.” Ellie moved closer to him and touched his chest to caress him with her hand. “Anger isn’t our friend. Remember our talk this morning? I know how mad you are but that’s what they want to see. You need to keep control of it. Laugh at them. If you get accused of crap like that by some reporter, just think of this.” She moved closer to him. “I would love to be your sex slave any day.”
Fury smiled wide enough that his canine teeth showed. “That won’t stop me from being angry. That will make me want to take you home.”
“One hour, Fury. That’s as long as you have to keep your cool. You can control your temper. You need to do this,” Ellie assured him. “You can yell later and be angry then if it gets hairy out there.”
He cupped her face. “I promise to try, Ellie. I would do anything for you.”
“Thank you.”
“But if they insult you, I might get angry. You know my temper is short when it comes to someone harming you or saying bad things about you.”
Ellie groaned. “They will insult me. I’m pretty sure of that. I can handle it so just keep calm.”
“What kind of male would I be to sit there while they say bad things about you?”
“A smart one,” Tom snapped. “The world is going to be watching this, Fury. You two are huge worldwide news. You have no idea how much coverage will be out there. If you charm the press they will love you. They will totally back you having a relationship. If this goes bad then it could get ugly. We really need the incoming money, Fury. Think of all the New Species and Ellie even. What would happen if support got pulled and the funds stopped coming in that keep Homeland open? It would close down and then where would everyone be? Our legal staff is working hard on those lawsuits to get cash inflowing but I’ve been assured it won’t be too much longer before Mercile Industries is going to pay for what they’ve done.”
“Fine,” Fury sighed. “I understand. I will sit there and be calm no matter how much I want to hurt someone.”
“Thank you.” Tom sighed. He shot Ellie a grim look and crossed his fingers. The man walked around his desk and yanked his jacket on. “Let’s go.”
Fury took Ellie’s hand. She tried to fight down her nervousness. She’d never had to talk in front of a bunch of cameras and reporters before. For security purposes the press conference would be held in front of the main gates. That way it kept everyone out of Homeland but next to the security walls to help them control the area.
“I’m here,” Fury assured her. “I won’t allow anyone to harm you.”
Ellie flashed him a weak smile. “I just hate being around a bunch of people but I’m going to be fine with you at my side.”
Fury kept a firm grip on her hand and pulled her closer against his body when they walked outside the gates. Ellie realized immediately it had turned in to a media circus of the worst proportions. Flashing cameras blinded them when they drew closer to the area set up for them.
Justice and Tom walked ahead of Ellie and Fury. Fury released her hand and put his arm around her waist. His body shielded her from a lot of the cameras. The press shouted out questions they purposely ignored since Tom had prepared them well.
Ellie took a seat between Fury and Trisha Norbit. Ellie was grateful to be next to the woman. Trisha squeezed Ellie’s hand under the table and flashed a brave smile. Ellie squeezed Fury’s hand. His other hand covered hers so he held it between both of his. He rubbed her skin gently to assure her. Tom stood and tried to quiet the press. Good luck, Ellie thought. A shouting madhouse had broken out.
Tom was able to silence the crowd after a few minutes. Ellie listened while Tom spoke to the press.
“The rumors circulating about Fury harming Ellie Brower aren’t true.” His voice rang out clearly. “They are a couple who live together inside Homeland. The video you saw on television happened after Ellie had a simple accident. She was treated by our doctor. This is Doctor Trisha Norbit. She will verify that for you.”
Trisha leaned forward to the microphone, introduced herself, and immediately a volley of questions were shouted out by reporters. She had to wait until their voices died down to speak.
“Of course the rumors aren’t true,” Trisha shook her head and looked angry as she glanced around at reporters. “It was a simple accident while Ellie cleaned the kitchen,” she lied. “She hit her head on the edge of the kitchen island when she stood from sweeping the floor. She had a bump to her head. Mr. Fury wasn’t even home at the time of the incident. He came home and found Ellie. All you saw was him carrying Ellie out to the car after I treated her. It was that simple.”
“Ms. Brower,” one of the reporters rose to his feet. “Is that true?”
Ellie forced a smile and tried to slow her erratic heart rate, caused from being in the spotlight. “Unfortunately. Trust me.” Just smile and lie, she told herself. I can do this. “Imagine how mortified I am. I bumped my head and it’s on the eleven o’clock news.”
“Are you and Mr. Fury having sex?” Someone else rose and asked.
Ellie hesitated. “Are you having sex? That’s kind of a personal question, isn’t it?”
“I’m not.” The male reporter smiled. “But I would be if I were dating someone. Come on, Ms. Brower. Are you and Mr. Fury having sex?”
Ellie squeezed Fury’s hand to assure him she was fine when he tensed. “My sex life is not up for public discussion but I will say that Fury and I are living together, as Tom let you know, and we are involved in a serious relationship.”
The man nodded and sat down. Another man popped up. “Mr. Fury, do you bite Ms. Brower? We heard rumors that there is biting during sex.”
Fury’s hold on her became intense enough that she had to hide a flinch. Ellie used her thumb to rub the back of his hand. Fury relaxed and shook his head.
“I would never hurt Ellie.” He suddenly pulled back his upper lip to show his teeth quickly. “It would hurt if I bit her.”