“I would like to call my sister.”

He sat up slowly, removed his sunglasses, and shot his piercing eyes her direction. “I believe this has been discussed and you know my decision. I have determined it is better that you don’t have contact with your family.” It sounded like a final statement. She persisted.

“I remember you saying that. However, a lot of time has passed. I won’t say anything to her that you don’t want me to.” She could see Tony becoming irritated but decided to add more information, “Her birthday is on the thirty-first.”

He took a breath, exhaled, and lay back down. Claire waited, he didn’t answer. She put her head back on the chair and contemplated how to revisit the subject without being disrespectful of his answer or lack thereof.

Tony closed his eyes against the sunlight. He thought about the framed pictures hidden in his suite, the ones from Claire’s Atlanta apartment. He’d wondered how long it would take for her to ask to contact her family. It took five months. No doubt if the means had been available she would have contacted them sooner.

If her family consisted of poor farmers from Indiana the call wouldn’t be much of a risk. Actually, Tony wasn’t concerned about her sister. It was her brother-in-law, John Vandersol, an accomplished attorney that was a potential threat. From humble beginnings, utilizing his intelligence and intuition, he had become an associate at a top-notch law firm in Albany, New York. This was a firm that rarely hired outside of Ivy League schools. The man was even under early consideration for partnership. Tony didn’t feel comfortable with Claire having contact with him.

As far as Tony was concerned the past five months had taken favorable unexpected turns. Claire’s behavior was a pleasant surprise, much better than he’d anticipated while planning her acquisition. Truthfully, while wanting to keep her and use her for himself, he hadn’t been sure it would work. Plan B had always been and supposedly was still an option. But now that she’d been seen with him in public it would be difficult to remain completely detached. He didn’t want the addition of Emily, and especially John Vandersol, to upset his perfect equation.

Tony contemplated and a rush of fury swept his consciousness. He realized that she was questioning—no, arguing his decision. Not only was she arguing, he was considering her request. It was the damned pictures in the stupid frames. A small part of him cared that he’d taken all that away from her. That hadn’t bothered him five months ago. It had actually been quite the coup, but now . . . Hell, it is just one call. Maybe if he could control the content. Reassuring himself—of course he could control the content, he controlled her. He could control a telephone call. Tony decided that first he would see how badly she wanted to make this call. He would stand back and watch, see how far Claire would push, observing her resolve in the face of much adversity, as she attempts to manipulate him. Yeah, no lie, that courage turned him on. Finally, he said, “I will think about it.”

He didn’t bring up the subject again on Sunday. Monday came and went, they spent time together but he didn’t bring up her request. Tuesday was Emily’s birthday. He could sense Claire’s impatience. Her self-control since Sunday was impressive. He wondered if she would just abandon the idea if he didn’t bring it up.

Claire wasn’t sure if Tony thought that by avoiding the subject she would forget her own sister’s birthday, but she didn’t. She’d been good and hadn’t pushed. She rationalized he’s busy, maybe he forgot. Deciding to wait through dinner, if he didn’t mention it, she would bring it up.

They ate on the back patio with a slight breeze blowing her hair. The evenings were becoming increasingly cool and Claire regretted not bringing a sweater or light jacket to dinner. When they’d finished eating Tony began to stand, Claire bit her lip and spoke. “Tony, today is Emily’s birthday.” She’d created an illusion of equality in her mind and didn’t want to beg.

He resumed sitting and leaned into Claire, his voice slow and deliberate. “So you have decided that this is a subject worth risking reprimand? I believe that my last answer had been I would think about it.”

Claire swallowed, held her head high, and looked directly into his dark eyes. “Yes, I feel talking to Emily on her birthday is worth the penalty you believe I deserve for pursuing the subject.” Tony didn’t speak but intently watched her. She waited for his response. Finally, she spoke again, “Tony, may I please call my sister for her birthday?”

“I have her telephone number in my office. You may call her from there.” Claire’s heart jumped and her eyes sparkled. She started to stand but he indicated for her to sit. “You will speak to her on a speaker phone, with me present. Before you call, we will discuss the limitations of your discussion.” She hated his tone, the one he used when he felt the need to show his authority, but his words were saying that she could talk to Emily. The rest didn’t matter.

Claire nodded her head as Anthony spoke. “I understand. Thank you, Tony.”

Walking down the marble corridor toward Tony’s office Claire thought about her sister. They hadn’t spoken in over five months. She fought the incredible urge to run the length of the corridor and grab his telephone. Once in his office, Tony instructed her to sit near his desk. She could see the phone, the anticipation was agony. First he proclaimed the guidelines she must follow: do not tell Emily or John that she had been or is living in Tony’s house, only that she lived and worked in Iowa, near the Quad Cities. Claire should keep the conversation focused on Emily, avoid discussion of her. If pressed, she could admit to accompanying him to various events. But this was not to be initiated by Claire. If the subject of getting together came up, Claire was to be evasive. The shorter the conversation the better chance she wouldn’t make a mistake. To emphasize her obedience, he added, “Disobeying these rules is not an option, the consequence will not be pleasant.” He then asked if she had any questions, understood his rules, and was ready to call.

“I don’t have any questions, Tony. I promise I understand the rules, and oh yes, I am ready.”

He removed a piece of paper from the top drawer of his desk and dialed the phone. Then as if just occurring to him, he added, “There is a block on this line. My number will not appear on their caller ID.” He hit the speaker button and Claire could hear Emily’s line ring.

It rang and rang. Then she heard John’s voice, but it wasn’t really him, it was their voice mail. Her heart sank. She looked to Tony, “May I leave a message?” He nodded yes. John was still talking on the voice mail. “May I tell her I will try to reach her again?” The recording beeped. Finally, Tony nodded yes.

Keeping her tone as light as possible, considering the disappointment of reaching their voice mail, “Hi Emily and John, it’s Claire. I wanted to call and wish Emily a happy birthday. I’m sorry I missed you. I hope you’re having a great day. Things are very busy, but I’ll try to reach you again. Happy birthday!” Tony hit the disconnect button. Claire didn’t want to stop talking. She lowered her head and felt the tears fill her eyes. Resolved to accept the outcome, she looked up into Tony’s eyes. “Thank you for allowing me to make that call. Do you need me right now or may I go to my room?”

“You may leave.” Dejected, she rose to leave. “I will be up to join you later. I have some work to complete first.” Claire verbally acknowledged his plans and continued to walk toward the grand double doors. As she reached for the handle, he continued, his initial authoritative tone now more mellow. “Claire, New York is an hour later than Iowa. Perhaps they went out to dinner and a movie. You can try again later.”