"E. E. Doc Smith - D' Alembert 5 -Appointment at Bloodstar" - читать интересную книгу автора (Smith E. E. Doc)

her line, she frequently had to deal with society's outcasts to accomplish her purpose.
She was patient, however; she could wait for the proper moment to assert her authority.



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"You say you have ten men at your disposal?" she asked.

"That's right." Howard leaned his knuckles on the end of her desk like a gorilla, which
he resembled in more ways than one. "You couldn't ask for better."

"I need a gang with more muscle than that," she said, a sweet smile spreading across
her face. Anyone who knew her would have dreaded that smile. "Some of the targets
you'll be after will be pretty well guarded. I'd suggest at least twice that number."

"I'll take that under consideration, gospozha, but as far as my gang goes, I make the
decisions."

Lady A decided that his insolence had gone far enough. Pushing her chair back, she
stood up behind the desk and walked around to the front until she was beside Howard.
She came barely up to the big man's shoulders. "You realize that you came to me
highly recommended."

Howard grinned. "You won't find better on Earth for any money."

"So I'm told, which is why I've tolerated your behavior thus far. However, there is a
certain natural order of things that must be remembered." She ran one hand
sensuously over the front of Howard's shirt. The man's grin broadened. "That order is,
when I pay the money, I make the decisions."

As she spoke, she suddenly grabbed the front of Howard's shirt and pulled him forward.
Her other hand grabbed a fistful of hair and jerked his head back, exposing a wide
expanse of throat. Howard gurgled a little for breath at the unexpected attack and tried
to struggle, but he found that the grip of this seemingly delicate woman was
unbreakable.

"Now listen to me, you blubbering baboon," Lady A said in cold, measured tones. "I
could break you in half more easily than you could snap a twig-and don't think I haven't
been tempted. I will be paying you good money, for which I shall expect decent return
without insolence. I will be obeyed without question. Do I make myself understood?"

Howard could barely choke out an answer. "Yes." "And another thing. From now on,
you are to address me as `Your Ladyship.' Is that clear?"

"Yes, Your Ladyship."

"Good." She let go of him suddenly and Howard fell to his knees, gasping for air. Lady
A meanwhile walked casually back behind her desk and sat down, waiting for his