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assure you, you know nothing about me or my past. But I have no intention of standing here and brawling with you over the subject. I'm leaving."
    "If you're going to follow through on your earlier announcement that you were going to have Lester drive you home, forget it. I've already told him I'll be taking you home this evening. He was more than willing to give up the privilege," Slade murmured from behind her as he followed her off the dance floor. "I think he rather likes the idea of a romance between the two of us. A way of keeping the company 'in the family,'
    as it were."
    "That's ridiculous. I'm not a member of his family," Calla said waspishly as she walked gracefully toward Lester's table. The older man smiled genially as he watched her approach.
    "I think you've come to fill the role of daughter during the past four years." Slade's arm came around her waist as if he were guiding a willing woman off the floor.
    "I thought you'd decided he was my lover!"
    "I've changed my mind after talking to him. He's not going to let you leave me flat, you know. Just thought I'd warn you."
    Calla was unable to respond to the taunting statement because Lester was already rising to seat her beside him.

    "Did the two of you work things out?" he demanded cheerfully as he politely held Calla's chair.
    "She hasn't started the negotiating process yet." Slade grinned, taking the seat across from the other two.
    "I'm being kept on tenterhooks."
    "I'm not going to stay on, Lester," Calla said quietly but with great conviction. "York Instruments doesn't need me. I'm sure Slade will find himself quite capable of managing his new acquisition without my assistance." She refused to meet the amber gaze across the table.
    "Calla," Lester said slowly, carefully, "I can see you're pretty determined about this, but, well, frankly, I more or less gave Slade to understand that your abilities would be there at least during the transition process."
    Calla looked at him helplessly. "I'm sorry if you made any statements to that effect, Lester…"
    "He did more than that," Slade announced coolly. "He gave me his word on it. We shook hands over the deal."
    "I told you, I'm not part of the inventory!" she hissed, her gaze lifting to clash with his.
    "The secrets in your head most certainly are part of the inventory I just purchased," Slade told her uncompromisingly. She saw once again the flash of the steel in him that she had seen so often during the past month.
    "It's true, Calla," Lester said softly, regretfully. "I'm sorry, my dear, but I honestly thought you wanted to stay on. I had no idea…"
    "I saw the final papers before they were signed and I read them thoroughly. There's no mention of me in them!" she shot back with grim triumph.
    "This was a…" Lester hesitated, searching for the right word. "A gentleman's agreement, I'm afraid."
    "How can that be when there was only one gentleman involved?" she muttered. "It takes two to form an agreement!"
    "Calla!" Lester looked a trifle shocked. "I assure you, Slade is a man of his word! You have no reason to insult him."
    Instantly Calla backed off the hasty statement, mentally chastising herself for having let her temper run away with her tongue. "I know the two of you are friends, Lester, but I…"
    "Let's forget the rest of the arguments in favor of you letting down your former boss and just stick to the matter at hand, shall we?" Slade interrupted coldly. "Are you or are you not going to assist during the transition?"
    "I have no desire to work for you, Slade York! Can't you comprehend that?" she demanded fiercely, keenly aware of Lester regarding her with a hurt expression. He had been so good to her during the past four years. She had become an important force in the day to day running of his firm. He counted on her!
    "I understand. That doesn't answer my question."
    There was a moment of tension during which Calla felt the impact of the combined will of the two men. If it had been only Slade's wishes