Chapter Fifteen
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“Kenny, you’re threatening me!” Helen exclaimed. “You’re actually threatening me. Or rather, you’re threatening Daisy, which is the same thing.”
“Don’t put words in my mouth. I was simply pointing out my friends matter to me, like your mare matters to you.”
“I’ve heard enough. I’m leaving.”
“Helen, I strongly suggest you stay right where you are.”
Though he hadn’t raised his voice he had shot her a look that sent a shiver rippling through her body.
“Fine, I’ll stay, but—”
“Decide what you want to eat,” he continued, cutting her off and picking up his menu. “We’ll discuss the details of all this over dessert.”
Afraid to leave and afraid to stay, and having no idea what to talk about, she gave in and picked up the menu. But as she tried to study the choices her mind was racing. She didn’t know Kenny at all, and suddenly felt foolish for allowing herself to be titillated by his bad boy charm.
“I think I’ll just have the spinach salad…and another shot of vodka!”
“Another shot of vodka,” he repeated with a chuckle.
“What’s so funny?”
“You know, Helen, I really do like you.”
“Then why are you asking me to do something I don’t want to do?”
“Because needs must,” he replied solemnly, his smile fading as quickly as it had appeared. “And you will do it, not because you’re scared of me--and don’t deny it, you are—but because you’re a smart girl and you know it’s the lesser of the two evils.”
“What two evils?”
“Doing what I ask and knowing the outcome, as opposed to not doing what I ask and looking over your shoulder.”
“No comment,” she muttered. “Am I allowed to go to the ladies room?”
“Why would you ask me such a thing? Honestly, Helen, you can be such a drama queen.”
Without responding, she rose unsteadily to her feet and walked through the dining room to the swinging doors. Pushing through them into a narrow hall, she started forward, but as she passed the door to the kitchen it suddenly opened and someone grabbed her hand. Startled, her eyes darted up and she found herself staring at Andy’s best friend, Brody King.
“Brody? What the hell are you doing?”
“Come with me,” he said, pulling her with him through the busy kitchen and into a small office.
“Hello, Helen,” the sheriff exclaimed, rising to his feet.
“Oh, my gosh! Sheriff Cooper! I’ll ask you what I just asked Brody. What are you doing here?”
“Listenin’ to your conversation. We planted a bug underneath the table. I’ll be sendin’ it off to the boys in Dallas. They’ll decide what action to take, if any.”
“Oh, dear God! I hope Kenny doesn’t find it.”
“It’s very difficult to see, but I have to make this quick. Agree to whatever he wants…but reluctantly. I’ll come over to the ranch later and explain everything to you and Andy. But you don’t have to worry. We’re here. Nothing’s going to happen to you. Now go back, and Helen, don’t drink any more. You need to stay sharp.”
“Thank you, sheriff, this has been absolutely nerve-racking, but I’ll be fine now. In fact, I’ll be better than fine. I’m going to help you catch him.”
“Helen, I don’t like the sound of that. Leave the catchin’ to me.”
“I will, but I’ll help,” she quipped, and before he could reply she had turned and hurried out the door.
* * *
Sipping his beer while he waited for Helen’s return, Kenny was confident she would do as he asked. Most of his worker bees were compelled to agree for the money. Erin was a perfect example. Her training barn was about to go under before he’d stepped in and offered her the risky, illegal lifeline. But Helen came from a wealthy family and didn’t need the cash. He would have to rely on fear, which wouldn’t be a problem. His only issue was her cowboy boyfriend. Cowboys could be stubborn.
“Hey,” she said, breaking into his thoughts as she sat down. “I have a question.”
“Go ahead.”
“Why me?”
“Why you what?”
“Don’t be obtuse, Kenny, it doesn’t suit you.”
“Whoa…who are you and what have you done with Helen?”
“Just answer the question.”
“Helen, I don’t have to do anything. I’m the one calling the shots.”
“That remains to be seen.”
“What the hell happened to you in the five minutes you were gone?”
“I had an epiphany,”
“Really. And that was?”
“You wouldn’t be asking me to do your dirty work unless you were desperate,” she replied, then sat back, ignored the shot glass that had arrived while she was gone, and sipped the glass of water.
“Explain,” he said, annoyed but also intrigued.
“You have trouble connecting with these particular—what do you call them? Clients? Anyway, you have trouble and you’ve been looking for someone who can deal with them socially. Someone who won’t raise eyebrows. They don’t want to be seen with you, or meet you in some back alley someplace. Then you realized you had someone right under your nose. Me. The way I see it, you need me, but I sure as hell don’t need you. You could threaten me, you have threatened me, but I don’t scare easy. And Kenny, in case you’ve forgotten, my sister-in-law is Annie Baker, one of the biggest country and western stars on the scene. She knows people. Powerful people. Go ahead, push your luck and see what happens. Oh good, here’s my salad. I’m suddenly hungry.”
As their plates were set in front of them, Kenny stared down at his barbecued ribs trying to think of a response. Not only had Helen’s short speech caught him completely off-guard, she was right. He did have trouble connecting with his elite clients, and she was the perfect person to bring into his organization. He also abruptly realized he’d made a mistake sending Bear over to harass Andy for confronting Erin. It had alienated Helen.
“Now, Kenny, we know where we stand,” she said, picking up her fork. “You’ll have to use something other than fear to entice me. You can give it some thought while we eat.”
His pulse ticked up.
She was interested after all.
The spoilt little rich girl had been toying with him.
But she had no idea who she was messing with.