Free Dante's Ultimate Gamble by Day Leclaire Page A

matter of fact, I do, Téa,” he informed her gravely. “If Dantes wants my assurance that Billings will continue to provide excellent goods and service—”
    Luc cut him off without hesitation. “It’s not your assurance I’m interested in. You’re no longer the one in charge. Your cousin is.”
    Beside him, Téa stiffened. “Luc,” she murmured in protest.
    A sweep of heightened color darkened Conway’scheekbones and a protest tumbled out before he could prevent it. “Not for another six weeks, she isn’t.”
    Luc lifted an eyebrow. Interesting. Her cousin sounded a bit possessive for a man who—how had Téa described him? Oh, right. As a man who couldn’t wait to get out from under his responsibilities. It might be interesting to find out just what sort of business Conway intended to start up…assuming there actually was one.
    Luc shook his head with a mock frown. “Six weeks isn’t very long. It might be just enough time for Dantes to satisfy ourselves that your gold standard will be upheld after the transition.” He lifted an eyebrow. “You don’t have any objection to my being here, do you?”
    “As a matter of fact—”
    “Hey, no problem,” Luc interrupted and stood. “If you don’t want me around, I’m gone.”
    “I think that would be best,” Conway said with a decisive nod. He appeared more assured now that he’d regained the upper hand. Or at least, thought he had. He smoothed his suit jacket like a bird unruffling its feathers. “I’m sure you understand, Dante. But this is my company—”
    “ Our company,” Téa interrupted with a spark of irritation.
    Conway started. “Right, right. Our company.” His tone turned aggrieved. “You must agree, Téa, that it wouldn’t be appropriate to have someone looking over our shoulders, as it were.”
    “Got it.” Luc retrieved his cell phone from his pocket and began pressing buttons. “Let me apprise Sev of these latest developments. It’s an unfortunate setback, but my cousin is accustomed to those. Very decisive and proactive that cousin of mine.”
    “Is this really necessary?” Conway demanded.
    Luc paused. “What? The phone call or my being here?” He shrugged. “Not that it matters. I assure you both are critical to our continued good relationship.”
    Téa sliced neatly through the testosterone thickening the air with icy shards of feminine disapproval. “If Conway objects to your being here, Luc, then that’s that. Here’s what I suggest in order to straighten this out and satisfy all parties involved.” She clicked off her suggestions like a general commanding her troops. “Luc, please call Sev and ask if he’ll take a meeting. The three of us will go over, sit down with him and see what can be arranged. But make it clear that we’ll do everything in our power to ensure the transition goes off without a hitch. Connie, since our contract with Dantes is up soon, I suggest we pull together some numbers in order to begin preliminary negotiations on a new one.”
    Conway stiffened and Luc had the distinct impression he wasn’t used to his cousin being quite so assertive. And he sure as hell wasn’t accustomed to her issuing instructions to him. “That won’t be necessary, Téa,” he stated. “I have the contract details well in hand.” Frustration ate at his expression before he finally capitulated. “Okay, fine. Mr. Dante, if you must oversee certain aspects of the transition—”
    “Luc.”
    Silence reigned for an entire thirty seconds until Conway bit out, “ Luc . If you insist it’s necessary to be here—”
    “I do.”
    Conway shot his cousin a smoldering glare. “Since you’ll soon be running the show, Téa, you work out all the various details, though I must insist that any changes to established routine be run by me beforehand.” Hehesitated, sparing Luc a suspicious glance. “As for you, Mr.— Luc . I think it only fair you be as forthcoming as possible about your intentions.”
    “My