“Only in theory.I don’t get my say for another two years.”
“Keep up the bitchiness and you won’t get it at all.”
“Bitchiness?For God’s sake, John,” she threw up a hand, “I’m stating facts.I don’t control my share of the company.You do.I just work there.”
“And when you’re not working there, you’re running around drumming up business for yourself and your designs.Think you’re pretty hot, hmmm?”
“I don’t need this.”She started to close the door.He caught it with a foot and stepped inside before she could stop him, then kicked it shut.
Whirling around, she retreated into the apartment.Hefollowed and reached the kitchen, in time to disconnect the call she was making, then snatched his finger away seconds before she would have crushed it slamming down the receiver.
“Who were you calling?”
“The police.I don’t want you here, John.”
He drew himself up.The taller he towered over her, the more dominant he felt.“Tough.I want to talk.”
Incredibly, she held her ground.“Not now.Not here.This is my apartment.The lease is in my name.I pay for it with money I earn, and you’re trespassing.”
“I’m your brother.”
“Half-brother.Get out.”
He knew then that he had riled her.That was something—certainly better than the way she looked through him sometimes, refusing to admit he was there.Leaning back against thé wall, he folded his arms on his chest.“I want to talk.”
“About what?”
“You.What you’re doing.Where you’re going.”
“You already know all you have to.”She was standing by the counter, looking defiant but just that little bit nervous, which enhanced his sense of control.
“Not by a long shot.I want to know whether you like what you’re doing.”
“If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t be able to do it so well.”
“No modesty there.”
“Why play games?We both know that my pieces are selling faster than every other designer’s but one, and his figures are high because he has a contract with an Arab who has him making things for every woman in hisentourage.My jewelry wouldn’t sell if it weren’t good, given the prices we charge.”
“Do you think they’re too high?”
“No way.We design for the wealthy, and the wealthy can pay.”
“So what’s your gripe?”
“I don’t have one.You do.At least, I assume that’s why you’re here.What’s the matter?”She tipped her head.“Uptight because I’m doing well?”
He laughed.“You’re doing well because I allow it.”
“Try again.”
“It’s true.How do you think you got started?Do you think all those people came to see that first show because they heard your work was good?Good pieces of jewelry are a dime a dozen.Stunning jewelry is what’s rare, and yours isn’t stunning.Most of those people came as a favor to me.I made calls, told them about the show, asked them to drop by.I do things for other people; they do things for me.”
“If they came by as a favor to you, they came back later because they liked my work.I’m not that naive, John.People don’t spend thousands for a ring or a necklace, then wear those pieces out in public and send their friends in for more if they don’t like what they’re getting.”
“The Phelans?The Goodmans?The Andersons?
They’re all my friends.”
