Sweet Fortune

it, what I was buying with it. You'd probably want weekly and monthly reports. No, thanks.”
    “You know your problem, Jessie, girl? You're too damn independent. Too blasted stubborn for your own good. When are you going to marry Hatch?”
    Jessie blinked. “Don't hold your breath.”
    “You're sleeping with the man, dammit. He told me so himself. If you can sleep with him, you can damn sure marry him.”
    “I'll have to talk to him about kissing and telling. Gentlemen aren't supposed to do that.”
    The door opened behind her and Hatch's voice cut in on the argument. “What's this about gentlemen?”
    Jessie looked over her shoulder. “Dad says you've been chatting about my love life. I was telling him that gentlemen don't do that.”
    “I believe I was making an unrelated point at the time,” Hatch said as he came into the room and shut the door behind him. In spite of the calm response, there was a faint tinge of ruddy color high on his cheekbones. “I was telling him not to interfere in our private life, as I recall. Isn't that right, Benedict?”
    Vincent scowled at him and then turned back to Jessie. “Forget that. What, exactly, is the status between you two?”
    “You'll be the first to know when we've got it settled.” Hatch lounged against Vincent's desk, folded his arms, and regarded Jessie with a cool, searching gaze. His eyes skimmed over the tight black leotard that fit her like a glove. He frowned with disapproval. “What are you doing here?”
    “Having a little father-daughter chat,” she murmured.
    Vincent snorted. “She's trying to talk me into giving Lilian and Connie twenty grand to expand their business.”
    “I see.” Hatch did not take his eyes off Jessie. “Have you already made your pitch?”
    “Yep,” said Jessie. “And since Dad has already changed the subject, I assume he's going to go for it, aren't you, Dad?”
    “Hell, I suppose I'll have to. If I don't, those two will end up in the clutches of some smooth-talking banker who'll charge 'em an arm and a leg in interest.”
    Jessie clamped her hands around the arms of the chair and pushed herself to her feet. “Thanks, Dad. I'll give them the good word. I'm sure they'll be properly grateful and will keep perfect records on how they spend every cent.” She gave Hatch a challenging smile. “You'll probably be late getting home tonight as usual, won't you?”
    Annoyance sparked in his gaze. “Probably. I've got some figures to go over with your father.”
    “Hey, don't worry about it,” Jessie said airily, starting for the door. “I'll be working late myself. Alex and I are making real headway on our investigation.”
    Vincent's expression became thunderous again. “Investigation? Are you still fooling around with that cult thing? I thought that nonsense was finished. Hatch said the guy was running some kind of scam, not a cult, and that your so-called client called off the investigation.”
    “Things have changed,” Jessie said.
    “What things, dammit?”
    “I'll explain it all to you later, Benedict.” Hatch straight ened away from the desk and went toward Jessie. “I'd like a word with you before you take off, Jessie.”
    “Sure. 'Bye, Dad.”
    Jessie winced as Hatch's hand closed firmly around her upper arm. But other than slanting him a reproachful look, she said nothing as he steered her through the outer office and into the hall.
    He stopped when he was out of earshot of the secretaries and released Jessie near a potted palm. Coolly, deliberately, he planted one hand on the wall beside her right ear and leaned in close. The pose was deliberately intimidating. It was one of the many things he did well, Jessie reflected. She started to push her hair back and discovered it was already held back by the clip.
    “I don't want you doing any more of this,” Hatch stated softly.
    She groaned. “Hatch, we've been through all the arguments. I've told you, I can't just halt the Attwood case. At least not until I'm satisfied Susan Attwood is all right.”
    “I am not talking about that damned case,” Hatch bit out.
    “I am referring to what you were doing there inside your father's office. This business of letting the entire family use you to get what they want from Benedict is going to stop. Whoever wants to ask him for something can damn well ask for it in person. You're no longer the intermediary. Clear?”
    She sighed. “Hatch, you don't understand.”
    “The hell I don't. Just say no, Jessie.