Free Rule's Property (The House of Rule Book 2) by Lynda Chance Page A

hug?"
    With another quizzical glance in Nick's direction, Garrett took her in his arms and embraced her. "Congratulations."
    "Thanks," she said, looking up at him.
    "We're all proud of you, you know," his deep voice resonated through the room.
    Pleasure infiltrated her at his compliment. "I know. Thanks."
    As he ruffled her hair and let her go, she surreptitiously glanced at Nick who was wearing a full-blown scowl as he watched them.
    Courtney stepped back as Garrett turned his attention to Nick again. "Why are you drinking? It's two o'clock."
    "Who are you? My mother?" Nick sneered.
    Garrett narrowed his eyes and put his hands on his hips. Ignoring Nick's sarcastic quip, he questioned his brother in pulsing anger, "What the hell's going on with you, Nick? You trying to get to Courtney first? I told you. I get her . I've been telling you that for the last six months."
    Courtney sucked in a breath, confusion coloring her expression. Get her? What the hell?
    Nick slammed his glass down on the glass-topped sideboard and finally turned to fully face his brother, his eyes lighting with rage. "And I told you there's no fucking way she's going globetrotting with you. It. Isn't. Fucking. Happening."
    Globetrotting? Courtney was sure she was missing something. Trying to understand the sudden dynamics in the room, she looked between the two men.
    "You're not her goddamn keeper, Nick. She's a full-grown woman now and she can make her own decisions," Garrett shot back.
    Courtney had had about enough. "What's going on here? One of you better start explaining. And quit talking as if I'm not standing in the same room."
    The brothers continued to glare at each other and then began talking to her at once.
    "I want you for Acquisitions," Garret announced.
    "You're going to work in Restructuring," Nick shot out, looking directly at her and pinpointing her with his gaze.
    Garrett turned and blasted Nick with a look of disbelief. "You have more than enough people in Restructuring. I'm going to build the fucking holding company with or without The Rule Corporation backing me and Courtney's coming with me."
    "What the fuck do you mean by that?" Nick fumed.
    Garrett's voice deepened and the control Courtney heard in it was almost chilling. Where had she ever gotten the idea that this man was more approachable than his brothers? "I'm goddamn sick and tired of my brothers telling me what I can and can't do. It's time to start making some real money and I know exactly how to do it. If you and Damian want in on it, fine, but if not, I'll do it myself, and I'm taking Courtney with me."
    "Jesus Christ, Garrett, you don't think we're making real money?" Nick bellowed in disbelief.
    "It's time to expand, Nick. Structural leverage, that's what it's all about. We can make a shit-fuck ton of cash."
    The two men stared each other down while Courtney tried to get a grip. Dissension in the family was not a good thing.
    At Nick's continued silence, Garrett began to state his case. "It'll be straightforward. We form an investment LLC. We fund it, open subsidiaries--"
    Nick cut him off in a tone that dripped impatience. "I know how a holding company works, Garrett. But there's a problem you're not considering. Damian and I don't like debt of any kind and you know it."
    When Garrett narrowed his eyes and gritted his teeth, Courtney glanced at Nick. As the silence continued to pulse between the two men, she took a deep breath and said what she was thinking, "Yeah, but the risk would be minimal. It's an amazing idea."
    Nick turned to her with an expression she couldn't read, but she never floundered, continuing, "You ought to at least consider it, Nick. Like Garrett said, you could buy the investments through an array of LLCs. You'd actually only have to contribute a small, fixed percentage to each, and you'd draw up an operating agreement that would allow other investors to buy in." As the two brothers listened, their attention fixed on her, Courtney continued, "If the