Only problem was, that made her the quarterback-but she planned to stay on her toes till the end of this game. Which meant she had to maintain control.
Fine. But lets make it quick. The storms moving in. She stepped back and reluctantly invited him in.
Kyle shuffled forward a step, and stopped immediately when Brinks issued a growled warning, his bared-tooth snout level with Kyles most vulnerable parts.
She grabbed the dogs leather collar and attempted to pull him back, but the mutt refused to budge. As you see, hes a mite overprotective, so youd best mind your manners.
Hey, boy. Kyle spoke softly, holding his palm near Brinkss snout. The dog took his time before accepting the offered sniff, and rather than his customary lick of approval, Brinks backed off just enough for Kyle to enter, then sat, keeping their visitor well within his sights.
Bolstered by the rare glimpse of Brinkss underused guard dog skills, Shayna pushed the door closed against the winds pressure. She had promised to hear Kyle out. She hadnt said a thing about being pleasant.
Youve got fifteen minutes, Mr. Anderson. One cup of coffee and then youre gone.
Kyles jaw ached with the effort of keeping his teeth from chattering. His custom-tailored suit and silk-lined Armani wool coat were no match for the frigid temperature and howling wind. Hed held on to his stern posture by willpower alone, but Christ, hed been seconds from folding when shed finally opened the door.
Of course, hed prefer death by icing to having that behemoth dog pin him to the wall by his balls. He wanted that partnership, but he didnt want it that badly.
Keeping one eye on Cujo, he assessed Shaynas personal space, looking for insight into her character, the kind of impressions and vibes you couldnt access through paper trails.
The cabins spacious main room had the wide-open feel of a converted warehouse loft. In L.A., this space would rent for a small fortune. Wide-planked pine floors bore the scars and marks of old age beneath a sheen of polish. The furniture was an eclectic mix of new and old, littered with an abundance of odd-shaped pillows in every color imaginable. The overall effect was vivid and energetic, yet still homey and comfortable.
Great space. He followed her to the kitchen, trying not to notice the sway of her full hips or the way her black leggings hugged her short but shapely legs.
Thanks. She gestured toward a sturdy oak chair. Sit.
The pony she called a dog was sprawled out in front of the fridge, his jet eyes sparkling, as if the mutt found humor in her ordering Kyle around. Refusing to be intimidated by a house pet-or his fierce-looking owner-Kyle removed his damp coat and threw it over the vacant chair shed indicated.
Id prefer to stand. He leaned against the counter.
Suit yourself. Neither of them spoke while she got the coffee going. When she turned, the glint in her sleepy amber eyes warned him she intended to fire the first shot.
So, tell me, Mr. Anderson- she folded her arms and glared at him -what kind of proposal does Dr. Walker have for his bastard daughter?
Her bluntness surprised him. Hed expected her to dodge the point as long as possible. Youre aware of Ms. Hoyts plan to blackmail my client?
Yes, but I made it clear to her that I dont want any part of it.
Unfortunately, shes decided to proceed anyway.
I figured as much, but regardless, Pattys actions have nothing to do with me.
Thats a very naive statement, considering your mothers blackmail threats center around your birth.
She shrugged. Perhaps, but without my help, her claims are just hearsay, right?
Hearsay?
She spun and started rummaging in the cabinets but not before he saw the tinge of pink staining her cheeks. When she blushed, she reminded him of the first time hed seen her. All that naturally unadulterated beauty in a sea of silicone implants and hair extensions.
Im a big Law & Order fan, she mumbled, pulling down a couple of coffee cups and filling them.
Me, too. He accepted the cup she handed him, handle out, to avoid the possibility of brushing fingers. Without your corroboration, her claims would indeed be hearsay, if the matter went to trial, but Patty isnt threatening to sue Dr. Walker in a court of law. She intends to drag him through the court of public opinion.
Ah. She smirked, intelligence sparkling in her eyes. A much more dangerous venue for your client, to be sure.
Kyle hid an unexpected grin behind his cup. Hed always admired women with quick wits. In light of recent career developments, my client is justifiably interested in maintaining his good public reputation.
She snorted, obviously not buying his PR spiel. Either way, I wont become involved. If your client wants to keep his ex-mistress quiet, why doesnt he just pay her off?
Because this isnt the first time shes promised to take the money and disappear forever.
She didnt look a bit surprised. Still not my problem.
True, but you are a part of the solution. Offering her his most reassuring smile, he removed a bulky envelope from his breast pocket. Dr. Walker and I have formulated a simple resolution, one that insulates both himself and you from Pattys threats, both present and future. He held the envelope out. Take a look. Its a verygenerous compromise.
Kyles wording was eerily similar to what hed told her in that hotel lobby. Unsettled, Shayna took the envelope and slid a shaky forefinger under the seal. Instinct told her this would not be good.
Watching the papers emerge, she felt as anxious as a tourist at a snake-charming demonstration. Rationally, she knew the papers couldnt harm her, but that didnt stop her inner warning alarms from clanging ninety to nothing.
Her teeth worried the inside of her lower lip as the pages slipped free. Atop the bundle was a cashiers check, made out to her, for two hundred fifty thousand dollars.
Stunned, she tentatively touched the dollar amount, half expecting the check to be a mirage. When it didnt vanish under her fingers, she forced her slack jaw back into place. A familiar sick pain twisted in her gut. Patty had said Walker would pay big bucks to keep Shaynas existence a secret, and shed been right.
So much for her hope that the other fifty percent of her DNA contained a smidge of human decency. Obviously, Patty Hoyt and Steven Walker were cut from the same cloth.
Ms. Miller? he asked gently.
Floundering to make sense out of what was happening, she shifted her focus to his face. One side of his mouth kicked up, cranking his dimple to life. That pleased, confident smile brought the entire bizarre situation into crystal clear focus.
This man expected her to be thrilled, to simply agree to whatever Walker had in mind, pocket the check and send him on his merry way. No doubt with a grateful hug and hearty thank-you. Shed never been so disappointed or outraged in her entire life.
Shayna? Kyles normally robust voice was smoother than fresh cream. Im sure that much money comes as a shock-
Shock? Its an insult! she hissed. She could practically feel the blood draining from her face. Brinks immediately scrambled to his feet and came to stand at her side, his massive body braced against her hip.
Her temper, which normally took forever to erupt, rose to a full boil as she bundled the wad of papers, check and all, and chucked them at the trash. They bounced off and landed under the table. The placid look on Kyles face melted into confusion, but not even temporarily rendering him speechless could lessen Shaynas anger.
What does your no-good client expect in return for a quarter of a million dollar payoff, Mr. Anderson? Maybe he wants me to murder Patty and bury her body on my mountain?
No, of course not. Shayna, calm down-
Calm down! I dont think so. How dare thatthat- she couldnt come up with a word vile enough to describe Dr. Walker -that man, try to buy me off. The last words emerged as a shriek, but she was beyond caring. How dare he suggest she sell her pride.
Hands fisted at her sides, fury blackened the edges of her vision. Hes afraid of what Pattys information will do to his precious reputation, so he sends you down here with a counteroffer. Of all the rotten, lowdown, dirty-
Shayna! Kyles shout ended her tirade. She barely heard Brinkss growl over the roaring in her head. Kyle grabbed her arms and gave her several firm shakes. Breathe, Shayna, breathe.
Shocked, she drew in a gulp of air. Her temper had never before gotten so out of hand that she nearly passed out. Hell, she didnt even know she could get that mad.
Better? Kyle asked gently, slowly releasing his hold on her arms.
Embarrassed, she nodded. Fearful her knees would give out any second, Shayna threaded her fingers into Brinkss fur and tensed every muscle in her body. Your time is up, Mr. Anderson. I think you should leave now.
Brinks seconded the order with a teeth-baring snarl.
Barely holding herself together, she marched back to the front door, listening to the slap of Kyles thin-soled shoes and the patter of Brinkss nails crossing the wood floor behind her. Her fingers shook as she yanked the door open. Another gust of wind roared inside, but she was too numb to feel the cold. Anger made an excellent insulator.
Kyle tossed a last wary look at Brinks. If not for the dog, Shayna knew Kyle wouldnt have left without a fight. Feeling deflated, she leaned against the door and waved Kyle toward the front porch. Unfortunately, he stopped in the open doorway and turned to face her. His unexpected maneuver put them much too close for rational verbal communication, but pure stubborn pride wouldnt allow her to back off a step.
He put a knuckle under her chin, leaving her no choice but to meet his gaze. Gone was his practiced charm and polish. All she saw was kindness and concern. The warm combination made her as light-headed as her earlier debilitating burst of temper.
Im sorry to have upset you, Shayna, but you have to realize this isnt over. Please read the agreement. Youll see that Walkers only trying to make things right.
He sounded so convincing that it took her a second to remember he was a master player, a lawyer, a professional manipulator. A man not to be trusted.
Frowning, she stepped back from his tempting touch and straightened her spine, doing her best to look strong and intimidating. You can tell your client that unlike my mother, I cannot be bought. Then, before he could respond, she slammed the door in his face.