Price of Surrender Read Online Free Page B

derisive, as he calmly explained the
    corporate facts of life.
    „It’s a competitive world, sweetheart,“ he’d soothed with a blatant sense of masculine superiority. „Carrigan Labs
    has to use any edge it can get“
    „But this is wrong, Jeff!“ she’d protested, sounding remarkably naive, even to herself, yet not knowing what else
    to do except argue, „That’s stealing!“
    „It’s business,“ he’d corrected calmly.
    „Does… does your father know?“
    „He and I, together with a couple of others, are about the only ones who do know. Congratulations, sweetheart,
    you’ve just joined a very select group,“ Jeff had joked. „Lucky for everyone concerned you’re almost a part of the
    family, hmmm?“
    She’d lost her temper shortly after that, arguing heatedly mat she wouldn’t be a part of the scheme. He’d sat
    behind his massive walnut desk and let her „get it out of her system,“ as he put it When she’d finished, he calmly told
    her to go back to her office and leave the harder side of business to him. She’d stared at him for a long moment,
    knowing he wasn’t going to put a stop to the payoff scheme, and knowing he fully expected her to ignore the unusual
    expenditures in her books.
    Very coolly and very deliberately Adena had lifted her chin and told him not to call her again. The memory of the
    surprise on his handsome features was the only satisfaction she’d taken from the scene. She’d gone back to her office,
    typed out her resignation with an outward calm which amazed her, and left She should have stopped right there,
    Adena decided with the wisdom of hindsight Whatever had possessed her to think she had an obligation to warn Holt
    Sinclair? She should have guessed he didn’t need her help! But that offer to pay for it anyway…!
    „Men!“ She smiled down at the schnauzer reassuringly. „I’m not including you in that general indictment, Max.“
    Restlessly Adena got to her feet Everything would look better in the morning, she decided. First things first, she
    consoled herself wandering into the bedroom with its white carpet and persimmon-and-green bed. Right now she
    needed sleep.
    The next morning she picked up several newspapers as she took Max out for his walk. By the time she returned to
    her apartment, Adena felt invigorated and ready for the start which had to be made. It was incredible, she thought as
    she carefully selected her morning tea, how one’s whole life could change in the course of a day!
    She deliberated briefly over her extensive collection of fine teas and finally chose the hearty English Breakfast
    blend. Poring over job ads was not a task to be tackled with the aid of a light and delicate tea. It called for a mixture that
    would be assertive, to say the least!
    She rinsed the lovely Chinese earthenware pot with hot water to preheat it, measured out a healthy amount of tea
    leaves, and poured in briskly boiling water. Tea was something Adena took very seriously.
    She was in the process of breaking open a buttery croissant when the phone rang. Frowning, she reached across
    the small dining room table to answer it The newspaper in her lap rustled.
    As soon as she spoke a greeting, Adena wished she’d had the sense to take the phone off the hook. She should
    have guessed.
    „Where the hell are you, Adena? It’s nearly ten o’clock! I’ve been down to your office twice already this morning.“
    „Didn’t you get my letter of resignation, Jeff?“
    „Oh, that? I tore it up, naturally, as soon as it reached my desk. We both know you wrote it in the heat of anger. I
    must admit, I would never have expected such a temper in a mild-mannered little accountant!“ Jeff Carrigan added with
    a flash of humor.
    Adena was not amused. Yesterday had showed her a few things about herself besides the fact that she had a
    temper. She’d also apparently been blessed with a rather oversized dose of naiveté! But she was learning.
    „I hate to break this to you,