Free White Satin by Iris Johansen Page B

competitors.”
    “He must have cared something for Anthony,” Dany argued. She didn’t want to think of Anthony as that vulnerable and alone. Vulnerable? Good heavens, what was she thinking of? Anthony could never be vulnerable. “He left him his entire estate when he died, including the entire Dynathe conglomerate.”
    “He liked winners,” Beau repeated. “I don’t think he was a man who cared for anyone in the whole damn world. That company was his blood and guts, and he wanted someone at the helm who’d keep it at the top of the heap. He knew Anthony would do that.”
    “Yes, there’d be no question that he would assure that,” Dany said with a bittersweet smile. “Anthony’s definitely a winner. The rest of us are left standing at the post.”
    “I haven’t seen any signs of his trying to smother your initiative,” Beau said dryly. “Quite the contrary. And having the Rock of Gibraltar to lean upon can be very comforting on occasion.You’re being pretty rough on him, aren’t you, Dany?”
    “I have to be.” She bit her lip. “I guess it’s a defense mechanism. You weren’t far off when you said I was afraid of him. I’ve always felt that if I let down my guard even for a moment, all his determination and forcefulness would just sweep me away … that there wouldn’t be a particle of my own personality left.” Her hand made a little gesture of helplessness and frustration. “Oh, damn, I know that sounds crazy as the devil.”
    “No, it doesn’t.” Beau’s eyes were fixed thoughtfully on her face. “I can see how being Anthony’s primary focus all these years would make you a little wary. But you don’t really have to worry about that, you know. You can be quite a little dynamo yourself. I don’t know which one of you I’d back if it came to a showdown.”
    “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” She wrinkled her nose at him affectionately. “I wish I could be as sure of my strength as you and Anthony seem to be. He’s always telling me how strong and independent I am too. It seems to be some sort of magic incantation around here.”
    They had arrived at the house now and were climbing the steps to the front door. “That should make you feel more secure if anything would. Do you think that if he values those qualities in you so highly, he’d ever try to crush them?”
    “I don’t know. How can anyone tell what Anthony will do?” she asked wearily. She couldn’t tell him it wasn’t his forcefulness she feared so much as her own loving desire that had flared so quickly last night. “That’s the whole point. Even after all these years Anthony is still almost a stranger to me. How can you trust a stranger?”
    “Think about it,” Beau argued softly. “Has he ever done anything to cause you to distrust him? He’s scrupulously honest both in business and personal dealings. He’s certainly been fantastically generous to you.” He opened the door to allow her to precede him. “And to me. Do you know he’s never allowed me even to thank him for putting my life back on the right track? No emotional blackmail and no suspicions. He ignores that part of my life as if it didn’t exist.” He shook his head. “And because it doesn’t exist for him anymore, it doesn’t exist for me either. That’s apretty generous gift for anyone to give. It was a fairly ugly time for both of us. Curing an alcoholic is hell on wheels for everyone around him.”
    Dany blinked rapidly to hold back the tears. “But in this case very worthwhile,” she said, lightness masking the huskiness of her voice. “You’re an extremely special person, Beau Lantry.”
    For a moment Beau’s mocking panache was banished by unusual awkwardness. “Hey!” he said gruffly. “If you think you’re going to embarrass me by crying all over me, you can forget it. Look, it’s all in the past. I’ve got my problem licked now. The only reason I even brought it up was I thought it might help you to understand