Stormy Challenge Read Free Page A

he was a couple of years younger than you?"
    Leya nodded morosely. "I realize he's had no experience in running the firm. After all, everyone assumed Dad would be in charge for years. ..." Grimly, she turned her thoughts away from the sudden death of her parents the previous year in a plane crash in Europe. She and Keith had both put the grieving behind them. Coming to grips with the present was the important thing now.
    "From what you've told me, your brother never really had any intention of taking over the reins," Court noted quietly, his eyes probing.
    "No. It came as a complete surprise when he decided to assume the responsibility instead of just selling out," Leya admitted. "He seems a new man lately, as if he's found himself." She shook her head, thinking of the way her brother had been drifting since graduation from college. "That's why I hate to put the squelch on this idea he has of apprenticing himself to Tremayne, but..."
    "But you're afraid he's agreeing to a contract that will ruin him?" Court concluded understanding^.
    "You read it. It's rather binding, wouldn't you agree?" Leya retorted brusquely, running her finger idly around the rim of her snifter and watching the play of candlelight on the liqueur inside.
    "Yes, but your brother's interests are well protected, Leya. Don't forget, you still hold half the firm's shares in your power. If Tremayne proves dangerous, it wouldn't be impossible to fire him. All you'd have to do is to get Keith to agree he'd made a mistake. The contract is only truly binding as long as all parties are satisfied. Keith is just asking for a chance to do things his way. Are you sure you're not playing the part of the overprotective big sister?"
    Leya lifted her eyes, the metallic green gaze narrowing in response to the small accusation. "No," she snapped. "I'm exercising my obligations as co-owner of the firm. The agreement Tremayne wants signed needs both my signature and my brother's. My father left Brandon Security to both of us!"
    "With the understanding that for the most part you would be a silent partner, you said," Court reminded her gently but firmly.

    Leya winced. "I may have told you a little too much of the background of this deal before I asked your advice," she grumbled, annoyed with herself.
    But it had been so easy to talk to Court last night. She was still amazed at the relaxed and communicative atmosphere that had sprung up between them from the start.
    One thing had led to another and before she knew it she had been discussing the main reason, she had secluded herself at the inn for a week. She had promised Keith a decision on whether or not to hire Tremayne by the time she returned to Santa Rosa, the town in northern California where she made her home and ran her book business.
    Court smiled. "I think your basic decision isn't whether or not to sign the contract, it's whether or not
    you're going to let your brother really assume control of the firm."
    Leya gritted her teeth, forcing herself to consider the justification of his comments.
    "I have never been a bossy older sister!"
    "You strike me as the type of woman who could get quite bossy," he chuckled.
    "Except that I'm too smart to make that mistake with my own brother. I don't want him to hate me!"
    "How about with a lover? Would you make the mistake of trying to dominate a man in a relationship?" Court pounced provocatively, sitting forward with a deliberate air.
    The gold-flecked eyes glittered with teasing challenge.
    Leya smiled with serene superiority, aware of the heat in her veins. "That's different,"
    she demurred. "Everyone knows a man is happiest in a relationship when he's properly managed."
    "Funny, I always heard it was women who were content when they'd been mastered!" Court purred.
    "A myth," she responded breezily. "Fostered by all those old Rudolph Valentino movies featuring sheiks who carried their women off into the desert!"
    "Not to mention all those other films featuring masterful types