The Iron Tiara

She knew Anthony was a dangerous man, but she didn’t get to be where she was without having a high level of intelligence. She could certainly outsmart a criminal. He may have had the brawn, but she was the one with the brains. She didn’t know what mocked her more. The fact that Anthony didn’t seem to be bothered by her rejection months ago, not once trying to see her, or the fact that she’d been replaced with a teenage blonde midget who obviously didn’t have an ounce of class or intelligence and drove a ridiculous vehicle. Where had he found her? Cheerleading camp?

She forced herself to take a calming breath and smiled. If those lowlife miscreants didn’t leave tonight and were stupid enough to thank Anthony for his present telling him about the message Veronique passed on, she had a foolproof alibi. That wrong number couldn’t have been more perfectly timed. All she would have to say in her defense was that she answered a phone call and spoke to a man whose voice she didn’t recognize. And if Anthony didn’t believe her, he could use his contacts to have the call traced. A call that would be linked back to the poor sap who’d been looking for a woman named Judy who worked for a dry cleaner. Anthony would probably have the guy tortured to death. Her plan was brilliant and flawless.

She leaned her head back and allowed a slow smile to spread across her face. In two days, she would be on a plane heading for Bermuda. It was a vacation she’d planned for over a year, and she couldn’t wait to soak up the sun while sipping margaritas on the white sandy beaches of her favorite resort. She would be gone for a whole month. She would take a lover when she got there and bask not just in the Bermuda sun, but in the knowledge that she had ruined any chance Anthony Bear may have had at happiness with another woman.

“There’s an old adage that talks about the fury of a woman who’s been scorned,” she said out loud. “And you, Anthony Bear, have scorned the wrong woman."





Chapter Thirty-One





Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1978





Alexander stood outside the historic brick building that was home to the law firm of Perkins & Wallace and thought about the woman he knew worked there. The drama of the past few weeks hadn't done much to erase the image of the black-haired beauty that haunted his dreams. Nisha's short stay at his home had warranted nothing to make him feel this way. She was argumentative and combative during the small window of time he'd spent with her.

The only time he saw a softer side of her was when she offered to make him dinner. A dinner he couldn't think about without gagging. She couldn't sing. She couldn't cook. And she cross-examined him the entire time they were together. And yet, there was something about her that he couldn't let go of. And she wasn't just any woman, he'd reminded himself. She was Anthony Bear's sister. He wasn't here to woo her. He was here to confirm in his own mind that she was a shrew who didn't deserve to be running around in his brain, her huge dark eyes haunting his nights.

He walked up the steps to the prestigious firm and asked to see her. The receptionist took in his appearance, and her eyes widened. He couldn't tell if it was fear or admiration.

After telling Nisha over the intercom about the gentleman who was in the lobby to see her, there was a short pause on the other end. "Ma'am?" the receptionist finally said into the intercom.

"Send him back," came Nisha's curt reply.

After walking down a short hall, and up a flight of stairs, Alexander found Nisha standing in her office doorway, her arms crossed. "I know this isn't about my brother. If there was a problem, you'd have called, not made a personal trip."

"I'm only here for today. I came to take you to dinner," he said, as she stood aside and waved him into her office.

Shutting the door behind him she returned to the other side of her desk and leaned over it. Resting her palms on the edge of her desk, she feigned interest in a piece of paper that was lying on her blotter. She looked up at him and said, "What are you doing in Philadelphia?"

“I had business in Pittsburgh and decided to make a side trip to take you to dinner.”

“You flew to Philly to take me to eat?” she asked, her voice full of skepticism.

“No. I didn’t fly. I drove,” came his reply.

“You drove five hours to see me?” she asked incredulously.

He nodded in response.

She glanced down at her desk and looked back at him quickly. “You should’ve called first. I’m busy tonight.”

He held back a smile. "Cancel it."

She stood up straight and crossed her arms. "No. I'm not going to cancel my plans because you happen to be in town for one day. Why don't you stay longer and I'll have dinner with you tomorrow night?" she asked.

"Because I didn't pack a bag. I took care of business in Pittsburgh first thing this morning and drove here. I made a reservation out of Philadelphia for tonight. I'm on a 2:30 a.m. flight home. What time should I pick you up?"

"I'm not having dinner with you tonight!" She would never tell him that she already had a date. A date with a man that she found attractive. A man whose company she'd enjoyed on their first and only date two weeks ago. Nicholas Weems was a smart, responsible and extremely successful senior partner in another law firm. She'd had to cancel on him twice, and her instincts told her three strikes and she'd be out—she’d likely never hear from Nicholas again.

"You have to. I drove here just to take you to dinner." He gave her a level look. Not a pleading look. Not an apologetic look. His expression was one of authority. He was a man who wasn't used to taking no for an answer.

He reminded her of Anthony.

"Why in the world would you drive all this way just to take me out?” She huffed out a breath like she'd been reprimanding an errant child and was losing patience. "And what if you'd gotten here and I was out of town?"

"When you stayed at my place and made me dinner I told you I owed you one. And if I got here and you weren't here, I would've asked where you were, and I would've booked another flight and found you."

She rolled her eyes. "Gee, you take your oaths seriously. A bit over the top if you want my opinion."

He obviously didn't want her opinion because he just stared at her.

His eyes could be unnerving, but she refused to look away. Since Alexander had no intention of taking no for an answer, her mind did some mental gymnastics while she tried to figure out a way to cancel with Nicholas and remain in his good graces. Then she reminded herself that she was an attorney and was certain that the right amount of smooth talking combined with some sensual prodding would work. She knew that Nicholas was attracted to her. She would ask him out next time, and if he refused, she would try Alexander's tactic. Bullying.

"Fine," she finally said. "Pick me up at six o’clock."

“Six thirty,” he countered as he opened the door to leave, chuckling to himself when he heard her gasp.

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