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the exact same contract. It stated that if she refused to marry Martin then I could hold her in breach of contract. This breach would cost her $500,000. It was the same amount she wanted from Martin if he reneged on his agreement. I thought it was only fair.” He smiled, but it wasn’t a kind smile. “It was only after she found out that Martin’s riches were minimal at best that she decided to try and back out. She told him that she wasn’t pregnant, and that it had all been nothing but a money-making scheme concocted by her brother William.”

    Will’s face went pale, and he mumbled under his breath, “God, I hate my sister.” Elijah continued to stare at him silently and hold him in place. After a few minutes of this tense nonverbal exchange, he released Will slowly and stepped back, his eyes never leaving his face.

    “What do you plan to do?” Will asked and then became more specific. “Why are you treating me like this? I haven’t spoken to my sister in nearly two years, until last Friday when she called to tell me she was getting married and then called me back to beg for my help. I have done nothing to either you or your brother.” Will kept his voice as calm as possible and maintained his eye contact. He knew that was important. If he was to convince him of his innocence, then he had to be able to see him. Eli remained silent for a long moment. He was again studying Will, taking his measure.

    “I think we would do better to discuss this in private,” he said, more amicably than Will expected. He approached him, and with a gentle hand on his back, led Will down the hall to a dark room on the right. Eli went in first and switched on the lights. There were heavy curtains over the windows that blocked out the daylight and made the room darker than necessary. At first glance, it looked to be a very masculine room. There was a leather sofa and chair, a heavy wooden desk, and a thick, dark green carpet that blended with the thick, dark green drapes on the windows behind the desk. There were many books lining every wall, and a couple business machines: a fax, computer, and a copier. There weren’t any frills here, but it was a handsome room.

    Eli directed him to sit on the sofa, and seated himself immediately in front of him on the carved oak table. He positioned his legs on either side of Will’s, pinning him to the spot. To Will’s dismay, he realized that their legs would touch if he moved to one side or the other more than a fraction of an inch, so he concentrated on sitting very still.

    “Katrina asked to be allowed to leave the ranch in order to go and raise the money needed to release her from the contract. I told her that the only way I would let her go was if you took her place.” Will attempted to speak, but Eli cut him off. “She told me you were on your way. When I met you on the road, I assumed you were coming here to take her place, so when I returned to the ranch, I allowed her to go.”

    “But I’m not… I didn’t….” He couldn’t get his words or thoughts together.

    “Katrina couldn’t get out of here fast enough. I thought she would stay to speak with you, but apparently she wanted to leave before you found out she’d set you up.” Eli smiled again, more friendly this time.

    “I’m not staying,” Will stated firmly and attempted to stand, but it was impossible considering the way they were seated. “Legally, you cannot keep me here.”

    “Let me explain something to you, William.” Eli grew very cold with the tone and the look he was now giving Will. “I plan on going after Katrina legally if she doesn’t carry out the marriage as planned or if she doesn’t come up with the money. I realize that she has little or no assets. From what I have learned, she inherited quite a lot when your parents died, but she has gone through it rapidly. On the other hand, I have the right to go after any of her late father’s holdings that remain.” His eyes hardened as he