Mail-order Bridegroom Part 22

The boa tie he'd strung around his neck was his only concession to the occasion.

"Relax," he said, driving toward the Post Oak section of Houston.

"They won't eat you."

Her expression felt stiff and unnatural.

"I'm more concerned about them slitting my throat," she attempted to joke.

"Especially after I tell them not to contact me ever again."

"Too obvious. They'll just sell you off to white slavers." He looked at her

and sighed.

"I'm kidding, honey."

"Oh." She grinned weakly and her hand closed over the pendant; she was

hoping it would give her even a minuscule amount of Hunter's strength and perseverance.

"I'm beginning to think this isn't such a great idea."

He spared her another brief glance.

"You want to turn back?"

"No. Maybe if I do this they'll finally leave me alone." She s.h.i.+fted in her seat and studied Hunter's profile.

"Do you think they will?Leave me alone, I mean? "He shrugged."They might. But don't count on it. They're businessmen.All they care about is the bottom line on the balance sheet. If buying your ranch means a substantial profit, then no. They won't leave you alone. "A small frown knit her brow."I'll have to think of a way to convince them I mean business.""Short of a. stick of dynamite between their ears, I don't know how."His comment gave her an idea and a secretive smile crept across her mouth."I'm not so sure about the dynamite, although the idea has merit. Perhaps a slightly less drastic demonstration would be in order." Opening the glove compartment, she rummaged around until she found what she sought. Without a word, she pocketed the item, hoping Hunter hadn't noticed the furtive act.

A few minutes later he pointed out a tall, modern gla.s.s building with smoked windows.

"That's where we're headed," he told her, pulling into an underground parking- lot.

Leaving the car, they took the garage elevator to the lobby.

"Which floor is Lyon Enterprises?" Leah asked.

"All of them."

She stopped dead in her tracks.

"They own the buildingT " They're a large company. Lots of companies own entire buildings. " He cupped her elbow and ushered her along. " Come on.

We want the executive level. "

She clutched her purse and the large white envelope with Lyon's offer to her chest. She hadn't realized. She'd had no idea they were such an immense concern. Suddenly she felt very small and vulnerable. How could she ever hope to defeat this Goliath of a company? She was no David. She glanced at Hunter. But he was. He'd protect her. All she had to do was trust him.

Filled with renewed confidence, she walked with him to the security desk.

After presenting their credentials, they were escorted to a private bank of elevators that carried them directly to the executive level. Inside tie car, she tucked back an escaped wisp of hair and straightened her skirt.

Hunter caught her hand, stilling her nervous exertions. "Listen to me, Leah.

These corporate types eat people like you for a midnight snack. So, don't fidget. Keep your arms relaxed at your side unless you're handing them something.

Look them straight in the eye. Think before you speak. Don't answer anyquestion you don't want to. And above all don't lose your temper.Got it? "Her tension eased.

"Got it."His mouth curled to one side and she realized in amazement that he actuallyrelished the coming confrontation. "Remember, I'll support you every step ofthe way. The instant you get in too deep, I'll bail you out. Otherwise,it's your show."

"Hunter?"

He lifted an eyebrow.

"What?"

She squeezed his hand.

"Thanks."

"Don't thank me, Leah," he said, and the seriousness of his tone gave his

words an ominous weight.

"Not yet."

The doors slid open and she released her death grip on him. It wouldn't do

for the Lyon board to think that she needed his a.s.sistance, even if she did.

Stepping from the car, they found a secretary awaiting their arrival.

"Welcome to Lyon Enterprises," she said.

"You're expected, of course.

If you'd follow me? "She led the way to a pair of wide, double doors. Pus.h.i.+ng them open, shegestured for Hunter and Leah to enter. As though in a calculated gesture,the doors banged closed behind, barring their exit. A huge gla.s.s tabledominated the conference room, and around the table sat a dozen men andwomen. The man at the far end rose to his feet.

"Miss Hampton," he said.

"A pleasure to finally meet you. I'm Buddy Peterson. Our chairman requestedthat I conduct these proceedings, if you have no objections."She did object. She wanted to speak directly to the head honcho."He's not here?""He preferred that I negotiate in his place." It didn't quite answer her question, but from long experience with Hunter

she knew she wouldn't get a more direct response.

"Pryde," Peterson said, switching his attention to Hunter.

"We were somewhat surprised to hear you'd be attending this meeting--with Miss Hampton, that is."

"Were you?" Hunter replied.

"I don't know why, considering Leah's my wife."

"Your wifel' The board members exchanged quick glances and Peterson slowly

sank back into his seat."This puts a slightly different complexion on matters."Hunter inclined his head."Yes, it does, doesn't it?"Peterson laughed, a cynical expression gleaming in his eyes."Congratulations... I'm impressed. I couldn't have done better myself."Leah looked up at Hunter in confusion."They know you?" she murmured."We're acquainted.""You didn't tell me.""It wasn't important." His dark, unfathomable gaze captured hers."Do you have something to say to these people?" She nodded."Yes.""Then get to it."She felt like a p.a.w.n in a game without rules. She glanced at Hunter, sudden doubts a.s.sailing her, acutely aware that she'd missed a vital piece ofinformation, a clue that would help explain the mysterious undercurrentss.h.i.+fting through the room. She also suspected that what had to be saidalready had been, though in a language she couldn't hope to decipher. Whatshe chose to contribute would be considered, at best, an empty gesture.Still, she wouldn't have this opportunity ever again. She wanted to saysomething they'd remember. do something they'd remember. She wanted them toknow that Leah Hampton Pryde had been here and made a statement.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped to the table and held out the envelope.

"This arrived the other day."

"Yes, our offer," Peterson said with an impatient edge. "Don't tell me you

plan to accept?" He glanced at Hunter. "It would certainly save much of this board's time and energy if you would."

"Not only do I not accept, I don't want to hear from you ever again.You people have hara.s.sed me for the last time. I'm not the vulnerable womanstruggling on my own any more. " She spared Hunter a quick, searching look.At his brief nod, she added, "I have help now. We won't allow Bull Jones to foul our wells or stampedeour herd. We won't be intimidated by you any longer.""Yes, yes," Buddy Peterson interrupted, 'you've made your point. "

"Not yet, I haven't."She reached into her suit jacket pocket and pulled out the lighter she'dtaken from the glove compartment. With a flick of her thumb she spun thewheel, and a small flame leapt to life. Stepping closer, she held the flamebeneath the corner of the envelope and waited until it caught fire. Then shetossed the burning packet into the center of the gla.s.s table. Flames andsmoke billowed. Frantic executives scrambled from their seats, shouting andcursing.

Beside her. Hunter sighed."You really shouldn't have done that."She lifted her chin."Yes, I should have. Now I've made my point.""That... and more.""Good. Are you ready to leave?"To her bewilderment, he shot a chary glance at the ceiling, pulled his hat lower over his brow and raised the collar of his s.h.i.+rt.

"In a minute. Go to the car. I'll be right behind."

The instant the door closed behind her an alarm bell began to scream and the overhead sprinklers burst to life. In a mad dash the executives scurried from the room, like rats deserting a sinking s.h.i.+p.

"Get these sprinklers turned off!" Buddy Peterson bellowed. He continued to sit at the table, his arms folded across his chest, ignoring the drenching spray.

"That was d.a.m.ned clever. Hunter," he called above the screeching siren.

"She does have a certain... flair, doesn't she?" Hunter said, impervious tothe water tunneling in a small waterfall from his hat brim.Peterson stood and approached."That's not what I meant, and you know it. How long are you going to keep her in the dark--not tell her who you really are?"

"As long as it takes."

"You're playing a dangerous game. You could lose everything," Peterson

advised.

"I don't lose." Hunter's voice dropped, a hard, threatening note coloringhis words."Fair warning. One leak from anyone at this table and you'll all suffer the consequences. I'll be in touch soon." He didn't wait for a response.Turning, he left."I still don't understand how you got so wet.""I told you. A freak shower.""Where? There isn't a cloud in the sky." Sarcasm crept into her voice."Or perhaps it rained somewhere between the executive floor and the garage."He released a soft laugh."Something like that."She gave up. Hunter could be incredibly close mouthed when he chose.If he'd decided that he wouldn't tell her, then he wouldn't. It was that simple.

"What did you say to the board after I left?"

He swung into another parking garage, this one beneath a brand-new, high-rise apartment complex.

"Not much. They didn't hang around for long.""Hunter!" she exclaimed in exasperation."Why won't you give me a straight answer? What did you say? How do you know them? For that matter, how did you know your way around their building? And

why all the secrecy?"He pulled into a wide parking s.p.a.ce with H. Pryde stenciled on to the wallabove it. Switching off the engine, he rested his arms on the steering-wheeland turned and looked at her.

"I know the Lyon board through work, which is also how I knew my way around their complex. I told Peterson that I'd be in touch soon. And I'm not being in the least secretive--just selective in what I tell you."

"Why?"

"Because Lyon is my problem now, and I'll handle it."