Rule's Property (The House of Rule 2)

"No, that's fine. I'm honored that you think so highly of me."

"Well, shit, Courtney. It's not just that," Garrett said. "Of course it helps that you're brilliant. But, you're family. Of course you're going to get the first shot. Even if Nick and I can't agree on which division will get you, you'll always have a place at the corporation if you want one." He glanced at his brother for corroboration. "Tell her, Nick."

Courtney glanced over at Nick and wasn't the least bit surprised at what she saw. A mask had descended over his features, but his body language spoke volumes. His arms were held rigidly at his sides and his muscles were corded like steel. Although she couldn't read his eyes, his features told her all she needed to know. His facial skin was pulled tautly across his cheekbones; his jaw was clenched in lines of tension. When he finally answered, his voice was flat and terse, "Of course. Family first." His gaze left hers and fixed on Garrett. "We done here? I've got work to do."

Chapter Four

Courtney stiffened, dismayed that Nick had just left the penthouse so abruptly.

Garrett released a pent-up breath at his brother's curt retreat. "Ignore him. He's too damn controlling, just like Damian. So, are you in?"

Was she in? She'd like to be, but she didn't want to work directly for Nick. Garrett, though, working for him would be perfect, especially if she didn't have to travel all the time. "It sounds great, but I've got a couple of interviews lined up. I should really go to them."

"Sure, do that." He gave her a measured look. "Actually, that'll be good experience for you when you start having to hire people for us.

She grinned. "Thinking about it that way makes going to an interview easy."

Garrett's lips twisted into a smile. "Absolutely. And when you're done, I think you're going to like your first assignment with us."

"Oh, yeah?" She asked, tilting her head in question.

"Yeah."

"Just as long as you don't have me travelling to crazy-ass places no normal person would want to go."

"No?" Garrett asked with a teasing note. "What if I told you I need you in Florida for a couple of weeks?"

At his words, a fierce shot of pleasure shot down her spine. Florida would be perfect. Getting away from Nick for a while and planning her strategy would be even better.

"Done," she agreed happily.

"Welcome aboard."

****

Nick sat at his desk and pressed his fingers into his temples. He'd popped three ibuprofen, but the painkillers weren't helping yet.

Why the fuck did his feelings toward Courtney sometimes feel vaguely . . . incestuous? A river of guilt ran through his blood. For the hundredth time he reiterated to himself: She wasn't his sister. No blood connection. Different last names. Never lived in the same house at the same time. Nothing wrong with his feelings for her.

Thank fuck. Because he would have her. He wasn't waiting any longer. His balls were as blue as they could possibly be. Courtney was his, she always had been, and she and his family would just have to come to grips with that fact.

****

Three weeks later

Courtney walked away from the remodeling contractors, about to tear her hair out. Why the hell couldn't they follow simple instructions? It was as if someone were sabotaging everything she did and said. How could things keep going so badly? This Florida trip was supposed to have been simple. Nothing more than a hotel remodel. Was Nick lurking somewhere, trying to aggravate her life so much that she'd come running home to St. Louis?

She walked back into the office and tossed her notebook on the desk she'd been using. She looked across the room at the young woman who'd worked for the hotel since she was a teenager. Maria was about her age, possibly a bit younger, but that's where their similarities ended. Where Courtney was blonde and of medium height, this girl was a dark brunette, petite in height, but voluptuous in every other way.

As the girl glanced up and couldn't contain a slight glare, the truth hit Courtney all at once; she was looking at the culprit. This girl was the thorn in her side. She was the person who was undermining all of Courtney's orders. She saw it in a flash, how easy it would have been for the other girl to accomplish her manipulations.

Without a word, Courtney turned away and slipped upstairs to the suite she'd been using since she'd been back in Florida. She pulled out her cell and hit the button to connect her with Garrett, not giving a damn about the international time difference.

When he answered, she wasted no time. "I'm about to fire Maria." Courtney announced with fury in her voice.

There was dead silence on the other end of the line.