Leverage: Pt 1 Read Online Free PDF Page A

began unbuttoning his shirt cuffs. When he didn’t immediately answer, she took a step away from him and said, “What are you doing? Didn’t you hear me? I can’t do this. I’m sorry. Find someone else. Obviously, I will return the money. I’ll find a way to help Tom on my own.”
    At that he arched his brow and stripped his shirt from his body. “Really? How industr ious of you. Have you a spare $300,000 lying around that I’m unaware?”
    “Of course not,” she said, scowling. “You know that.”
    “Yes, I do know that. I also know that you’re late on your payment to Serene Hills, the managed care facility where your brother was moldering away in his hospital bed. How many late payments do they allow before they toss your brother on his broken ass?”
    She blinked back tears, hatred in her expressive eyes. “You’re a bastard. You already know the answers to the questions you’re asking.”
    “Yes, I do. The answer is three. And you’re on No. 3. What’s the plan after they toss him out? Your apartment isn’t suitable for Tom’s wheelchair and your bedroom is much too small for the specialized hospital bed he needs. What’s your grand plan?”
    “I don’t know!” she cried, tears appearing. “But I’ll figure something out. I just can’t do what you’re asking me to do.”
    He tsked as if he felt true empathy for her situation but in truth, he was in ruthless mode and he’d do just about anything to keep her to her word. He unbuttoned his trousers and let them fall, kicking them free. He took a seat on the bed and began to remove his socks. It did not escape his notice that her gaze had strayed to the bulge in his boxer briefs. He had nothing to hide and was pleased to note the sudden flush in her cheeks as she skewed her gaze sharply. “My sweet Julianna…stop fighting the inevitable. Your heart is your biggest strength and likely, your biggest handicap. You will do whatever it takes to help heal your brother because you love him so much. You’re a good little sister and you should be proud of your character. Is that what you need to hear so you can go forward without guilt?”
    “It’s not guilt I feel,” she retorted, wiping at her eyes. “It’s shame.”
    “Shame? For what?” he asked, settling onto the bed, enjoying watching her even as she struggled. Everything about her intrigued him. “Women have been bartering the pussy for centuries. It’s really nothing new or worth getting worked up over.”
    “Yes. Men have been coercing and manipulating women for a very long time but it doesn’t make it right.”
    “That’s a matter of opinion I suppose. Seems right to me.” He shrugged with a negligent smile. “Now, enough with this nonsense and put on the lingerie.”
    “Does anyone ever tell you no?”
    “Not successfully.”
    She exhaled a short breath of exasperation but he could tell she was wavering. He was an expert in reading people —  a decided benefit in his position — and knew she was on the edge of capitulating. The key to any successful negotiation was to know the opponent’s weakness. Julianna’s weakness was embarrassingly easy to discern. “It’s a pity you’re reneging on the deal. At this moment, Tom is being readied for transport to the airport. His suite, compared to the one he’s currently staying in, looks as luxe as the Taj mahal. But I suppose I can cancel the order. However, I thought I should mention that I spoke with a doctor at Stanford about your brother’s injury and he said there’s a window of opportunity that quickly closes for treatment. And Tom’s window is rapidly closing.”
    “Tom’s doctor never told us that,” she said, chin lifted. “You’re lying.”
    “Why would I lie? It makes no difference to me if your brother never walks again. Besides, why would your doctor dangle hope in front of you when he knows you’ll never have access to the kind of treatment your brother would need? Seems unnecessarily cruel, if you