Page 124 of The Donovan Dynasty

She gave another few involuntary jerks as aftershocks claimed her.

He stroked her back even as he released her wrists.“So, so pleasing.”He talked to her, touched her and sat next to her until she let go of her powerful grip on the bedclothes.“In future, I may just keep you tied to my bed.”

“That’s what happens to captives,” she said softly as she turned her head to him.“At least in my fantasies.”

He left her only long enough to dampen a washcloth then he rejoined her to bathe her heated skin.

“Thank you for that,” she said.“But now, when I masturbate, the sound of your voice will fill my head.And the way you spanked me…” She closed her eyes for a moment.“That was more than I could have ever hoped for.”

“Maybe you thought I was joking about tying you to the bed and keeping you as my captive?”

She opened her eyes again, letting him see into her darkest secrets.“Maybe you thought I was joking that I’d let you.”

Chapter Eleven

“This is called a coup, Lara Marie.”Pernell picked up a pencil, snapped it in half and threw both of the pieces against the wall.“A goddamn betrayal.”

Lara took a deep breath but forced herself not to wince.Despite her father’s brutal words, she didn’t relent.Instead of arguing with his statements, she said, “I’m sorry you see it that way.”

All day, she’d dreaded this meeting.Obviously having known that, Connor had called a couple of times to offer support and to help her refocus on other business matters.For the first time in the last few years, she’d felt as if she weren’t so alone.

“I have a right to run my company in the manner I see fit,” Pernell said.

“As long as you’re executing your fiduciary duty,” she countered.

“Which I am.”

“I disagree.”Though he hadn’t responded to her repeated messages, she knew through her mother that he’d been busy talking to board members last night.

When she’d knocked on his door at four o’clock, she had been surprised when he’d answered.

He’d dispensed with any greeting and, instead, had demanded she take a seat.

She had, feeling prepared for anything.

Last night, she and Connor had role-played a dozen different scenarios, including the fact her father might resort to intimidation or bluster, even guilt.At one point, Helene had joined them via video conference call, just in case they’d missed something.Helene had warned that he might try to play on her emotions as a loyal daughter, saying it was her duty to support him.

Her mother and Connor had both coached her to remain resolute and not to succumb to emotional manipulation.Both had even offered to accompany her to the meeting.For a moment, before she’d knocked on Pernell’s door, she’d almost changed her mind and called them.

But now that she was face-to-face with him and his stubbornness, she drew on her own fortitude, the same determination that had driven her to approach Connor.She knew, without doubt, an intervention was the only way to stop Pernell’s thoughtless and potentially reckless actions.The only way she could live with herself was if she didn’t take the coward’s way out.“Connor will make a presentation.Mother will be there.”

“No one has to listen to him.”

“Not today,” she agreed.“But after Friday, they will.Connor and I are getting married.”

“You’re what?That goddamn bastard!”He leaped to his feet, face red.He slammed his hands on the desktop and leaned toward her.“He did this.He got to you after I told him to get the fuck out.I’m going to rip his—”

“Enough.”Then, more gently she added, “I love you, Daddy.”Lara’s emotions overflowed.She was still the little girl who’d happily jumped in the car for the ride downtown to follow him around.She was still the young executive who’d made her first presentation to the board.More than anything, she was still the person who loved her father too much to allow him to fail.

“He did this on purpose.When he couldn’t get his insulting offer past me, he went behind my fucking back.The crazy bastard wants my company.And he’ll do anything to get it.”

She said nothing.She’d learned a thing or two from watching Connor.

Finally, he sank into his chair.His spine was erect, and she saw fire in the eyes that were so like her own.

Until now she hadn’t noticed that the only time she’d seen him so animated recently was the night he’d tossed Connor out.Otherwise, his eye color seemed dull.Having an identified target seemed to give her father his fire back.“Hear him out,” she suggested.“You’ll have your turn.”

“I need to see the bylaws.Where the hell are my bylaws?”He yanked open the bottom desk drawer.