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to turn right around and fly out, be my guest. Don't try to tell me what to do." Willing his temper under control, he tossed ice cubes in a glass and covered them with water from a pitcher. "You don't even sound rational."
    "Don't tell me I'm irrational."
    "Then don't be irrational. This project's been underway for more than a year. Is it rational to sail in and demand we pack up and walk away?"
    "After what I found out today, yes."
    Sebastian didn't bite at her lure. "Even if backing out wouldn't cost us millions, I wouldn't do it. I know you don't like Washington. I do. I'm staying here, Maryan. Get used to it."
    She coughed, sputtered, and wiped the back of a hand over her lips. "Staying? What do you mean, staying?"
    "As in I intend to live here again. I like it here."
    "Since when?" She set the glass on the desk and gripped the arms of the chair. "You hated it. You know you did."
    "I didn't always hate it," he told her quietly. "There was a time when I thought Seattle was the most special city on earth."

    When Mary an was really angry, her gray eyes became the color of old silver. They were old silver now. "I followed you out of Seattle. I left everything behind to follow you, to help you make a new beginning when you didn't have anyone else. I've always been there for you."
    "I'm grateful for that." Losing his cool would only cause one of their rare, ugly scenes. "But we have lives to live now. We have for a very long time. I don't need babying. And I am the boss, Maryan. I am Raptor Enterprises."
    "I'm your partner."
    "One of my partners. One of my junior partners." And, although she had a good mind, they both knew she would never have risen to the position he'd made for her if she hadn't been his sister.
    "I gave up my own life for you!"
    "Please—"
    "I asked you a question. Is it true?"
    "Is what—"
    "Don't bullshit me, Seb. You've bought a house right here on the eastside, haven't you?"
    "The grapevine's been busy."
    "Oh . . ." She flapped a hand. "Of course I'd find out if you bought a house. You detested the eastside."
    "When I was a kid, for God's sake."
    "I know about Hole Point, you know."
    Sebastian stood quite still. He leveled a stare into his sister's cold eyes and raised the water to his lips.
    "I know! She's there. She owns the place. And you drive right through Medina to get to it." Her big-knuckled finger shook when she pointed it at him. "You lied when you said you weren't coming here because of her. You lied, dammit!"
    The door flew open and banged against the only wall in the room. A bronzed, bleached, musclebound man strode toward the desk. "Sweetie? Maryan, sweetie? What's going on in here?"
    "Hi, Ron," Sebastian said. He put down his glass. For once

    he was delighted to see Maryan's latest, and, at a two-year tenure, longest-surviving lover.
    Ron York ignored Sebastian. "I heard you scream, pet."
    "I told you to wait outside for me." Ron's "pet" glowered at him. "Get out."
    "Is he picking on you again?" Twenty-five to Maryan's thirty-eight, Ron hovered over his cushy meal-ticket and cast an accusing stare at Sebastian.
    "She's overwrought," Sebastian said pleasantly. "Good thing you showed up, Ron. I've got to pop out. I'll have William arrange for a car to take you to my house."
    "Don't you leave me like this," Maryan shrieked. "Don't you dare."
    He winked at Ron, swept up the press release, and headed for William's office. "You'll love the house, Ron. Olympic-size pool. Sauna. Full weight room. The works."
    Ron's carefully assumed air of umbrage softened.
    "William," Sebastian called as he slipped through the doorway. "My sister and her friend are exhausted from their trip. Make sure—"
    "Leave it to me, Mr. Plato," William said, cutting Sebastian off. Already on his feet, the secretary moved between his employer and the scene in the inner office. In a low voice William said, "Don't give this another thought. You have another appointment, don't you?"
    "Yes," Sebastian said, pleasantly amazed