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Her eyes flash and I smile to myself. This is interesting.
“The article you submitted without authorization. I need to know where you got your information.”
I come right out with it and hope to hell she doesn’t give me what I want right away because this woman is surprising me and I want to be the one to break that calm exterior and hear her scream.
“Mr. Prince.” Her tone is measured, almost pleasant as she says firmly, “The first rule of journalism is you never reveal your source. I shouldn’t need to tell you that and you should also know that it doesn’t matter how I came across the story, it’s the content that counts. Was it a lie, are you telling me my information was wrong in some way?”
She’s too cool, too self-assured and I don’t like it—one bit. If anything, she should be begging me and pleading for her release. Not making me feel like I’m some kind of novice at this.
“I don’t care what the rules are, I make them up as I go along, anyway. You were under my employ and as your boss, I want to know where you got your information. There’s nothing wrong with that, so tell me.”
“No.”
Her reply is curt and edged in steel, and I love the way her eyes flash as she faces me down.
Sighing, I reach out and lift the tray and remove the glass of water from it, setting it down on the floor.
“Then I’ll bid you good day, Miss. Bryant. Let me know when you’re ready to talk and I’ll give you food. I’ll return in two hours; I trust you’ll rethink your foolish decision because the sooner you give me what I want, the sooner you can go.”
I back out of the room and she says quickly, “Wait, you’ll let me go if I tell you.”
Feeling almost disappointed it was this easy, I nod. “Of course.”
She shakes her head and snarls, “And if I don’t?”
“Then welcome to your new home. I hope you’ll be happy here.”
“You can’t keep me here, it’s against the law.”
“Possibly, but I’ve already explained I don’t play by the same rules and I’ve done my homework and nobody will miss you, anyway.”
It’s as if I’ve slapped her in the face because she blanches and I feel a momentary flash of pleasure. The first blow has landed and I revel in her pain.
Slamming the door behind her, I head back to the ranch. Two hours should loosen her tongue a little, and if I’m sure of anything, it’s that.
