“Your office?” Lara suggested and Steven’s brow creased, unsure of what she needed or wanted from him.

“Of course” He said, leading her to his home office and she sat down
across from the desk, legs crossed, showing off the pair of high heeled
leather boots.

“I’m looking to go into business for myself, and you are going to back me.”

“Well, Lara if you need a low interest loan”

“You are going to back me, I should have said, you are going to give me
the money.” Lara stated, her voice an arctic gale that froze his heart.

“What are you talking about” Steven began, and Lara cut him off with a glare and an iron voice.

“You know what I saw when I was living here, I know how your father
died. I know how you came to be in control of his multi-million dollar
business. I have proof” Lara said, folding her hands in her lap, and
Steven stared at her with heat in his eyes.

“Proof?” He asked, thinking she was bluffing. This young woman who
thought she could come into his home and scare him into doing something
he wasn’t about to do freely.

“I have the needle, with your fingerprints on it.” She said simply, and his face fell.

“In a secure box, the moment I die, am hurt, or don’t contact the bank
on a random schedule, the needle and a very long well written letter
will be delivered to the FBI.”

“Lara” Steven said, the tone threatening as he sat up, fists clenched.

“No, listen to me, Cherie might be my sister, but you are no friend of
mine. I know how you treat her, I know what goes on in this house, but
I know you put a lethal air bubble into your father and caused his
fatal heart attack. I saw it; I have the proof. The FBI knew he was
going to testify against you, and the family. Now, I need 2 million
dollars, and I won’t bring this up again. Do we understand one
another?” Lara said, sitting up and cocking her head to the left, eyes
narrowed and Steven decided that she was serious, that she meant
business. He also knew she was telling the truth.

~*~*~*~*~*

JadedRogue was dangling her feet through the second “O” in HOLLYWOOD,
drumming her fingers on the closed but not latched top of her Dell.
Windwalker was standing in the ‘O’ to her left, bracing herself with
arms and legs outstretched, as if ‘x-ing’ out the second ‘O’, and
staring off in the distance. JadedRogue opened the laptop and quietly
began to peck at the keys as softly as she could.