It was barely eleven, but Vance answered smoothly, “If it’s not too much trouble.”
“None at all.” Anne glided to a small table. She felt particularly grateful that she had packed the silk dressing gown and hadn’t yet drummed up the energy to change. It was, she knew, both becoming and alluring. A quick glance in the mirror as she poured assured her she looked perfect. Thank God she’d just finished putting on her makeup. “But tell me, Vance,” she continued, “what in the world are you doing in this dull little place? You’re not a hometown boy, are you?”
“Business,” he said simply, nodding his thanks as she handed him a neat bourbon.
Anne’s eyes narrowed a moment, then widened. “Oh, of course. How could I be so foolish!” She beamed at him as the wheels began to spin in her head. “I’ve heard Tod speak of you. Riverton Construction, right?”
“Right.”
“My, my, I am impressed.” Her tongue ran lightly over her teeth as she considered. “It’s about the biggest in the country.”
“So I’m told,” he answered mildly, watching her eye him over the rim of her glass. Without much interest, he wondered how much bait she would toss out before she tried to reel him in. If it hadn’t been for Shane, he might have enjoyed letting her make a fool of herself.
With her carefully languid grace, Anne sat on the edge of the bed. As she sipped again, she wondered how soon he would try to sleep with her and how much resistance she should feign before she obliged him. “Well, Vance, what can I do for you?”
Vance swirled the bourbon without drinking. He sent her a cool, direct stare. “Leave Shane alone.”
The change in her expression might have been comical under any other circumstances. She forgot herself long enough to gape at him. “What are you talking about?”
“Shane,” he repeated. “Your daughter.”
“I know who Shane is,” Anne said sharply. “What has she to do with you?”
“I’m going to marry her.”
Shock covered her face, then dissolved with her burst of laughter. “Little Shane? Oh, that’s too funny. Don’t tell me my cute little daughter caught herself a live one! I’ve underestimated her.” Tossing her head, she sent Vance a shrewd glance. “Or I overestimated you.”
Though his fingers tightened on the glass, he controlled his temper. When he spoke, his voice was dangerously mild. “Be careful, Anne.”
The look in his eye checked her laughter. “Well,” she continued with an unconcerned shrug, “so you want to marry Shane. What’s that to me?”
“Not a damn thing.”
Masking both apprehension and irritation, Anne rose gracefully. “I suppose I should go congratulate my little girl on her luck.”
Vance took her arm. Though he applied no pressure, the meaning was very clear. “You’ll do nothing of the kind. What you’re going to do is pack your bags and get out.”
Enraged, Anne jerked away from him. “Who the hell do you think you are? You can’t order me to leave.”
“Advise,” Vance corrected. “You’d be wise to take the suggestion.”
“I don’t like the tone of your suggestion,” she retorted. “I intend to see my daughter—”
“Why?” Vance stopped her cold without raising his voice. “You won’t get another dime, I promise you.”
“I haven’t any idea what you’re talking about,” Anne claimed with frigid dignity. “I don’t know what nonsense Shane’s been telling you, but—”
“You’d be wise to think carefully before you say any more,” Vance warned quietly. “I saw Shane shortly after you left her last night. She had to tell me very little before I got the picture.” He gave her a long, hard look. “I know you, Anne, every bit as well as you know yourself. There’ll be no more money,” he continued when Anne fell silent. “You’d be smarter to cut your losses and go back to California. It would be a simple matter to stop payment on the check she’s already given you.”