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

remainder of the debt for each investment was financed through secured, non-recourse loans, then your actual risk would be negligible."
    As Courtney's words came to a halt, Nick appeared pole-axed while Garrett broke out into a huge grin and said to her, "Told you that MBA would be a good thing." Then he turned to Nick. "And I told you ; she's mine."
    When the last two words left Garrett's lips, Nick turned to his brother with fury in his eyes. "She's not yours and you best not ever say that again."
    A long moment of heated silence filled the room as the two brothers stared at each other.
    "What the fuck, Nick?" Garrett hissed.
    "Was it your idea for her to stay the extra two years in Florida?" Nick asked hotly.
    "No, I only supported her decision to get her master's degree," Garrett replied.
    As Garrett watched his brother with a look of confusion on his face, Nick took a deep breath and stuck to the original conversation. "We have two issues here. One is the question of forming a holding company and if we're going to do it--"
    Garret cut him off. "I'm doing it. The question is whether or not my brothers want in on it."
    Nick glared and continued, "And the other issue is Courtney. She's not working for you, and that's final."
    Courtney felt a hot jolt of anger at that decision being made for her. "I'm sorry, what?" she asked sarcastically.
    "You're not working for him," Nick restated as he turned his glare on her.
    Suddenly so mad that she could barely breathe, she snapped, "I don't think you get to make that decision."
    Nick blasted her with a look and then glanced over at Garrett who'd suddenly gone still and was watching them once again with suspicion.
    Nick turned back to her and Courtney could tell he was at least trying to control his impatience. "He travels all over the world, sweetheart. Personally, I think we make enough money within the U.S., but if he wants to chase after more, I can't stop him. Overseas travel is dangerous, and you're not doing it."
    Courtney stared at Nick. Why she was surprised? This was exactly Nick's method of operation and why it should shock her now she didn't know. She had a couple of different thoughts clamoring for room in her brain. The first and foremost was the fact that Nick couldn't be allowed to get away with treating her as if she were his puppet to control, and the second was that, in this instance, it was going to be difficult to prove her independence because she didn't want to travel overseas on business. Within the U.S. would be okay, but she didn't want to live out of a suitcase for the foreseeable future and she wasn't a traveler by nature.
    So what was she supposed to say? She decided to ignore his over-the-top behavior and turned to Garrett instead. "Thanks for having such faith in my abilities. Even though your brother is wrong when he thinks he can make decisions for me," she turned and gave Nick a glare for good measure before turning back to Garrett, "regardless of that, I don't want to travel all over the world."
    Garrett answered back swiftly, "You both have it wrong. I don't need you overseas at all. I need somebody focused, somebody trustworthy and ambitious to run things here while I'm gone. You're the perfect person. You're smart, that can't be denied. You're family so there's no question of your loyalty. But I'm sorry if we made an assumption that you'd want to work with us. Erin has fit in perfectly and we just assumed after you came home that you'd want to come on board, too. If I was wrong, I apologize."
    "No, that's fine. I'm honored that you think so highly of me."
    "Well, shit, Courtney. It's not just that," Garrett said. "Of course it helps that you're brilliant. But, you're family. Of course you're going to get the first shot. Even if Nick and I can't agree on which division will get you, you'll always have a place at the corporation if you want one." He glanced at his brother for corroboration. "Tell her, Nick."
    Courtney glanced over at Nick and wasn't