Jesus, she thought, if this was true, the Bradfords truly did take dysfunc-tion to whole new levels.

What did Edward find out? she wondered.

He wont go into any of it. Lanes eyes narrowed. He is, however, helping me get what I need.

Lizzie swallowed through a thick throat" and tried not to picture Lane as the victim of some accident.

Youre scaring me, she whispered.

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THIRT Y- FIV E.

S utton blinked as her eyes adjusted to the dim interior of Wil- liam Baldwines business center. Im surprised youre so cavalier about this.

William shut them in together and turned on the lights. Were competitors, but that doesnt mean we cant be seen together.

Glancing around, she decided that the circular reception area defi- nitely reminded her of the Oval Office" and wasnt that typical of the arrogance of the man. Only Baldwine would demote such a national icon to a place where he kept people waiting.

Shall we proceed into my office? he said with the smooth smile of one of those men who did Cialis ads on TV: older, grayer, but still sexy.

Im happy to do it here.

The papers are in my desk.

Fine.

As they proceeded toward the glass cage of his executive assistant, Sutton found herself wishing that they werent alone. Then again, for this, they were both going to want privacy.

And then they were in Williams space.

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Which, dear Lord, was kitted up like something out of Buckingham Palace, all kinds of royal purple damask, gold- leafed mirrors and tables, and throne- like chairs making one wonder how the man accomplished anything in such an over- the- top environment.

Would you mind if I lit a cigar? he said.

No, not at all. She glanced back and found that hed left the door open" which might have made things a little less creepy had there actu- ally been anyone else around. So . . . where are the papers.

Over at his huge desk, he opened a mahogany humidor and took out what was undoubtedly a Cuban. I would offer you one, but these are not for a lady.

Good thing my money doesnt wear a skirt, right? As he glanced at her, she smiled sweetly. Shall we sign the papers?

Would you care to go to the track with me? My wife is unwell. He cut the butt of the cigar off. So she will have to stay at home.

Im going with my father, but thank you.

Williams eyes went down her body. Why have you never married, Sutton?

Because Im in love with your son, she thought. Not that he has ever cared.

Im committed to my work and it is a jealous husband. It is rather an eighties concept, perhaps, but also the truth when it comes to me.

We have so much in common, you know. He picked up a heavy crys- tal lighter and kicked up a flame. We are both responsible for so much.

My father is still running the Sutton Distillery Corporation.

Of course he is. William leaned into the lick of fire and puffed up.

But that is not going to last long. Not with his illness. Is it.

Sutton stayed quiet. The family was not yet prepared to announce her elevation to chairman and CEO, but Baldwine was not wrong. Her fa- thers Parkinsons had been controlled for the last three years, however the disease was progressing, and very soon the medications and their careful timing to hide the symptoms were going to become an insufficient mask. The sad thing was that her fathers mind was as sharp as ever. His physical stamina was starting to lag, though, and helming a company like Sutton Distillery was a grueling endurance test on a good day.

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No comment? William said.

As another puff of blue smoke rose above his head, the tobaccos dirty- sock stench reached her nose and made her sneeze.

God bless you.

She ignored the platitude, well aware the bastard had lit up pre- cisely because it would irritate her. He was the kind of man who ex- ploited weaknesses at that kind of level.

William, if the papers are here, Ill sign them now. If not, call my office when youre ready.

The man bent at the waist and opened the long, thin drawer in the middle of his desk. Here.

With a toss, the sheaf skated across the blotter" and the fact that it was stopped by a framed picture of Little V.E., his wife, seemed apt.

I believe you will find everything in order.

Sutton picked up the packet. Reviewing page one, she went on to the next . . . and the third . . . and the"

Her head jerked up. I know that is not your hand on my waist.

Williams voice was close to her ear. Sutton, you and I have so much in common.

Stepping away, she smiled at him. Yes, youre the exact age of my father.

But Im not in his kind of shape, am I.

Well, that was true. William filled out his suit better than men dec- ades younger.

Do you want this done now? she said sharply. Or sometime next week with my lawyers.

The way he smiled at her made her feel like she had turned him on.

But of course. All business, as you stated.

Sutton deliberately sat in a chair against the wall, and she did not cross her legs. About ten minutes later, she looked up. Im prepared to execute this.

See? I made the changes you required. He coughed a little into his fist. Pen" or do you insist on using your own?

I have that covered, thank you. Dipping in to her purse, she then { 305 }.

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used her thighs as a desktop, and signed her name above the notary publics testament that was already filled in. And Ill be taking a copy with me as I leave, thank you.

As you wish.

She got to her feet and crossed the carpet. Your turn.

William took a Montblanc out of the inside pocket of his pale blue suit jacket, and he signed on another page, above another previously executed notary publics attestation.

After you, he said, indicating the way out with his arm. The copier is next to the first conference room. I dont use the Xerox machine.

Of course, you dont, she thought. Because like cooking and cleaning, you figure its womans work.

As she took the document from him and walked for the doorway, a shiver went down her spine. But then she realized that there was another piece to all this, namely a transfer of funds only she could initiate.

So there was nothing she had to fear from him.

At this particular moment.

She was just passing by the executive assistants desk when some- thing caught her eye and made her hesitate. It was something down on the floor, sticking out from under the desks flank . . .

It was a piece of cloth.

No, it was a collar. To a coat sleeve.

Something wrong? William asked.

Sutton glanced over her shoulder, her heart pounding. Im . . .

We are not alone, she thought with panic.

F rom his position squeezed into the well of the desk, Edward knew the instant Sutton somehow became aware of his presence.

As her voice trailed off, he cursed to himself.

What is it? his father asked.

Im" she cleared her throat" feeling a bit faint.

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I have brandy in my office.

Fruit juice. I need . . . some fruit juice. Chilled, please.

There was a pause. Anything for a lady. Although I must confess, this is considerably out of the realm of my usual duties.

Ill stay here. And take a seat.

As his father came by and then walked off, Edward heard coughing that gradually grew softer. And then he got a boatload of Suttons voice, hushed, but strong as steel.

My concealed weapon is pointed at you and I am prepared to pull the trigger. Show me your face, now.

Fainting spell my ass, Edward thought. But at least shed sent his father off on a little errand first.

Edward grunted as he leaned out from his hiding place.

Sutton gasped and covered her mouth with the hand that was not on her gun.

If Id known our paths would cross again, Edward said smoothly, I would have brought you your purse.

What are you doing here? she hissed as she put her palm- sized gun back into her pastel- pink Derby suit.

What are you? What did you just sign?

She looked up. Hes going to come back at any moment.

The question, of course, is what are you going to do about that?

What is wrong with you" Instantly, she snapped to, shooing him with her hand. And just as he retucked himself, Sutton said, Oh, thank you, William. That is just what I need.

Wincing as his bad leg spasmed, Edward prayed that she kept pro- tecting him. Also wished hed greeted her with something other than a reminder that theyd had sex the night before for the first time"

although only because hed assumed she was a prostitute that hed bought and paid for for the sole reason that he needed a woman who looked like her or he couldnt get it up.

No, orange is best. There was a pop as if a cap had been opened.

Mmm . . . good.

His father coughed again. Better?

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