26. Tate
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
TATE
I pull up to the club where I first met Sian. It's where my main offices are and it's the club I want to keep the closest watch on.
I get into my office and sit down behind my desk, waiting patiently. Rick comes in first and looks at me. He inclines his head, and I shake mine. He can tell something is different, but I don't want to get into it, not when anyone could walk in and overhear.
Rick stands behind me, his arms crossed in front of him. "What did you want to check first?"
"Get Clint here," I say. "Can you call him in?"
"Just Clint?” Rick asks curiously.
"I want to check in on something. I have a plan." I start typing on the computer and pull up the cameras of the club, watching the staff preparing for the night ahead.
Rick types on his phone. "Clint is five minutes out, but he’s got Liam with him.”
I nod. “Tell him to get Liam busy with opening.”
I watch the cameras carefully. I see Liam and Clint talking in front of the club. When Clint parts ways with Liam, I sit forward as Liam pulls out his phone and makes a call. He has been acting distant in recent weeks, and I have my suspicions on why. The gears in my head are turning.
Clint knocks on the door.
"Come in and sit down." I motion to Rick to sit down as well. He pulls up a chair, and Clint takes one in front of my desk.
"I have information," I say. "And we need to discuss it."
Clint watches me curiously.
"Daniel Gallagher. Have you heard of him?" I ask. I pull out the photos of him and hand one to each of them. Everyone shakes their heads. "I think he's the one moving against me, and I have a plan to trip him up. This has to stay strictly between all of us because Sian's life could be at stake."
Rick watches me, his brows furrowing. "What's the plan?"
"First of all, Daniel is the one who abducted us." I look directly at Rick. "The one who tortured us."
Rick's fist clenches. "How do you know?"
"I just know," I say calmly, and Rick nods. He trusts my judgement."Secondly, Daniel is the one who raped Sian."
Rick's head shoots up, and he frowns. "Boss..."
"I can see the similarities, but I know we can trust her. I never had that with Jodi." I want to spit when I say her name. "Sian wants to help us, so we're going to offer her up as bait."
"Bait?" Rick asks, frowning. "Do you really think she could handle something like that?"
I nod. "She can. I'm sure of it. The question is how to draw Daniel out. He hasn't been showing his hand. I think Sian is key. He wants her. He wants to own her, so I'm going to bring her here and get personal with her. I want us to look like we're in love. I have a feeling the rat will inform him that she’s here with me. There’s only a handful of my men at the estate that don’t deal with the clubs, you two, my father, and Mary that know she’s been with me all along. I want to drive Daniel insane with jealousy and bring him straight to me so I can end him." I look between the two of them. "I want to do it tonight."
"Tonight?” Rick shakes his head. "Putting something like that together...""It won't take long for you, I'm sure," I say. "Clint, make sure we have all our guards ready at the doors. I’ll bring Sian in around eleven. I doubt Daniel will try anything while there are patrons here. He'll probably try to lure Sian out."
"You think this will work?" Clint asks.
"If it doesn't, no harm. We take Sian back to safety and try to lure him out another way." I look at Rick. "Have you got my back on this?"
"Yes. You know I do." Rick sighs. "Even if it's batshit crazy."
"Clint, you go arrange the guards, and let Joey know the plan so he can look out for anything happening at his end.”
Clint nods. "I'll get hold of him right away." He gets up and leaves.
"You fucked her." Rick sighs. "You're caught up in your feelings."
"Don't question it," I say quietly. "She's not like Jodi."
"We didn't think Jodi was like the real Jodi," Rick says. "Until it was too late."
"She's different." I sit back down and look at Rick, crossing my legs. "I know her hate for Daniel is genuine."
"I hope you're right." He gets up. "I'll put everything into place."
I stand. "I'll go inform Sian of the plan. Oh, and have something nice sent over for her to wear. Something not too revealing but still sexy. One last thing. Take a couple of guys and search the locations in that file." I hand him the files. “No mistakes. I want it done right, and Rick?” He takes the folders and looks up. “No loose ends.”
Rick nods and starts clicking away on his phone.
I leave the club and drive back to the mansion, keeping an eye on the roads around me. I don't want to be taken by surprise again. I should have brought Rick with me, but I need him to arrange everything.
By the time I get back to the mansion, Mary is accepting a delivery, and I guess it's the outfit for Sian. I walk towards Mary. "I'll take it to her. Thanks, Mary."
"Yes, Mr. Matthews," she says with a broad smile.
I take the garment bag and walk upstairs. I go to Sian's room and knock softly.
"Tate?" she calls.
"It's me." I walk in and smile softly. She's sitting on the bed, reading.
"I didn't expect you back until later," she says.
I lay the garment bag down. "Remember how you asked to help with Daniel? Well, we have a plan and we're going to put it into action tonight."
"Okay." She’s apprehensive. “Do you still want to do this? I don’t what you to do anything you’re uncomfortable with.”
“I want to help, Tate. I’m aware of the danger, but that isn’t going to stop me.” She doesn't question what the plan is. She trusts me to keep her safe, and I swear by everything I hold close to me, I will.
I tell her the bag contains a dress, and that I need her ready to leave by half past ten, placing a soft kiss on her lips. I stand and leave to head my room and open the closet. Sliding open the door, I find what I’m looking for. It's perfect for her and will serve me well tonight in keeping her safe.
Time passes quickly, and I’m soon showered and changed into a different suit, finishing off by spraying on some cologne. I run my fingers through my hair, pushing it back, then head downstairs to wait for Sian. I keep glancing at the time, not wanting to be late and very eager to finally be face to face with Daniel after all this time. Not only that, but Sian also needs preparing as much possible for what's going to happen, as it’s not going to be easy.
Daniel might not even show up tonight, but it’s worth a shot. We might need to do this a few nights in a row to entice him out and to really sell it. Either way, I know Sian is the only person who can lure him out. From the way he was so controlling towards her and how possessive he is, he’ll want to stake his claim, but he’s too late. Sian is mine now, and no one takes from me.
I message Rick, letting him I’ll be on my way soon. He texts me back that everything is in place and the security is on alert so they can monitor everything.
I hear footsteps and look up. I'm floored by how beautiful Sian looks in the gown Rick got for her. It's black and floor-length. A slit rides up it, exposing one leg as she walks. She's wearing red high heels, and Mary has given her a red purse to match. She's done some light makeup, and her hair falls in giant curls down her back.
Sian twirls around. "Do you approve?"
"Very much so," I say with a smirk. "Hold out your hand."
She holds out her left hand, and I take out the box I collected from my wardrobe. I remove the bracelet from it and fit it onto her wrist.
"Tate, I can't take this," she says quietly. "That must have cost a fortune."
"It’s a family heirloom, and I insist you wear it. Keep it on at all times." I stroke her face gently, moving the hair out of her face.
“It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
"Now, Daniel might not come tonight. We might have to do this a few nights in a row before we entice him out, okay?"
"Okay," she says. "So, you and I are just going to show up at the club together?"
"And pretend we’re lusting for one other," I say gently, looking into her eyes. It won't be hard because I won't be pretending. She's intoxicated me, and I’ve never felt this intensely for anyone in my life.
"So, flirt and be seductive. Got it." She smiles, and I have a sneaky suspicion she doesn't have to pretend much either. I can feel the electricity between us. It's palpable.
Sian looks up at me, and I see her beautiful eyes gazing into mine. I lean down, kissing her softly. "Just pretend."
She smiles and kisses me again.
Someone clears their throat upstairs, and I pull away from her. Mary is standing there, holding a coat. "I thought Sian might get cold. I have a coat for her."
"Thank you, Mary.” I’m grateful for her thoughtfulness. "I'm sure she won't, but we'll take it just in case."
I don't tell Mary this is a plan, that Sian is bait, because she'll protest. I can't let her put doubt in Sian's mind, not while she feels confident that she can help. She will need that confidence to see her through this.
I just hope the plan doesn’t go sideways.