Chapter 7
Fort Worth, Texas
“Well?” Boyd asked as he concentrated on hitting the golf ball on his private putting green situated on the penthouse’s rooftop.
Brick, a tall, muscular man with black hair and dark eyes, stood behind Boyd. Brick was methodical, relentless. And he always got the job done the first time. Boyd tapped the golf ball and watched it roll into the hole. Only then did he turn to face Brick and lean on the putter.
“She’s attempting to get the money,” Brick replied.
Boyd glanced out over downtown Fort Worth, highlighted by the beautiful setting sun. “You trust what our people in Clearview are telling you??”
“I do.”
“You still don’t agree that I allowed her to go.”
“I don’t.”
Boyd didn’t bother to hide his grin. He’d known Brick for nearly ten years.
In that time, the man had shown his true colors, as well as his loyalty to Boyd, time and again.
The one thing that drew Boyd to him was the fact that Brick never pulled any punches.
If he told you something, it was the truth.
That was the main reason Brick had climbed the ranks in Boyd’s organization to become someone Boyd trusted.
And he never gave trust easily. People had to earn it.
Brick clasped his hands in front of him and held Boyd’s gaze. “By allowing her to leave, you’ve given Taryn a means of escape.”
“I hold her sister as collateral. That’s all the incentive Taryn will need to return.”
Brick briefly lowered his gaze. “It’s a lot of money you want Taryn to bring you—in a short amount of time. Even I’d have trouble doing that.”
“She’s intelligent. She’ll figure something out.” Boyd turned his attention back to the green and moved another ball into place with his club. “What else is on your mind?”
A sigh escaped Brick. “Let me go down to Clearview. I’d rather be there to watch Taryn and make sure she gets back as promised.”
“I can’t figure out if you’re more worried about Taryn or her sister, Payton.” Boyd slid his eyes to Brick. “Which is it?”
Brick’s gaze was steady. “My concern is for you. It always has been.”
“But?” Boyd pressed.
Brick only hesitated for a moment. “Those two women could be your downfall.”
Boyd chuckled and made another perfect putt. “I think you give them too much credit.”
“You killed the father and then the brother. Both in front of Taryn.”
Boyd halted as he swung back his arms. He slowly straightened and faced Brick once more.
“I did that because they left me no choice. Phil’s death was retribution for thinking he could steal from me.
Again. As for the brother.” Boyd shrugged.
“He tried to outsmart me and escape. I couldn’t allow that to go unpunished. ”
“But you’ve given Taryn incentive not to try something . . . foolish.”
Without a doubt, Boyd knew that Brick was worried about one of the women. If only Boyd could figure out which one. “You’ve always given me the truth, even when I didn’t want to hear it.”
“It’s what I’m trying to do now.”
“Or you’re attempting to save one of the sisters.”
Though Brick didn’t move a muscle, his entire demeanor changed to one of outrage. “I would never pick a woman over you. I gave you my word when you allowed me to work for you that you would always come first.”
“Then why all the concern?”
Brick let his arms fall to his sides as his brows drew together. “Because I’ve seen that kind of desperation in Taryn before. When someone is backed into a corner, they can do reckless, impulsive things to save themselves or their last remaining family member.”
“You did tell me to leave the sisters in Clearview,” Boyd said, recalling that long-ago night. “I thought it would be beneficial for Phil and his son to know that the girls’ lives were in my hands.”
“It didn’t stop the father or the brother from being idiotic.”
Boyd twisted his lips ruefully. “No, it didn’t. The fact is, Taryn will return because of her sister.”
“If you say so.”
What did he do now? Boyd didn’t like complications. Brick was there because he sorted out such issues in whatever way was necessary. Sometimes, it was with negotiations. Other times, it was with force. But it was always done.
Boyd put away his putter and walked to the bar to fix himself another gin and tonic.
He could leave things the way they were and hope that Taryn returned with all of the money she had promised, in exchange for her sister’s life.
Though Taryn also believed that she and Payton would be set free.
That wasn’t going to happen. And Boyd couldn’t wait to see Taryn’s face when she realized that.
However, there was still a chance that Taryn couldn’t get all the money—or any of it.
While Boyd took no pleasure in killing, it was sometimes necessary.
Taryn had ensured they kept Payton out of their negotiations, which was fine with Boyd.
As repayment, the older sister had taken up the work her father and brother had done for Boyd.
Surprisingly, she had been more efficient and twice as good at selling his product.
He hated to lose her—which was why he never intended to let her go.
If she tried to double-cross him, he’d send Brick to find her. After some weeks of torture, she’d come around to his way of thinking once more. Then, she’d be back to working. But he knew that Taryn wouldn’t do anything stupid. She cared for her sister entirely too much for that.
Boyd still couldn’t believe that Taryn had come to him with the offer. Five hundred thousand dollars. It was double what her father and brother owed him. No doubt that’s why she had come up with the sum. She’d thought it would be enough to pay off the debt and free both herself and Payton.
The fact that Taryn actually believed he would hold up his end of the bargain was laughable.
Brick worried for nothing. Taryn would get the money, and she would return.
Boyd would have more money and another worker, who had tasted her one chance at freedom that would never come her way again.
Death was the only thing that would free her from him.
He paused as he recalled that Taryn had been involved with someone in Clearview.
It was some years ago, so he couldn’t remember properly, but he knew there had been some concern over the man finding out what had really happened to Taryn and her family.
Boyd had to admit that Brick had a point.
If he wanted Taryn to remain in his employ, then he needed to send Brick to ensure the outcome.
Boyd took a drink and lowered the glass as he made his way back to where Brick waited. “Taryn knows how much is at stake.”
“She is also backed into a corner. If she can’t get the money, then she knows there isn’t any reason to return, because nothing she can say or do will stop you from killing Payton.”
Boyd scratched his chin. “True. But Payton is all Taryn has left. She might plead for her sister’s life.”
“There comes a time when a person has to think of themselves. That time comes when they realize nothing can save them but themselves.”
“And you think that’s what Taryn is doing?”
Brick shrugged. “I’m saying it’s certainly something I would consider.”
That in itself said a lot since Brick’s mother had risked death for Brick and herself when she fled an abusive husband to start a new life. Maybe that’s why Brick was so troubled about the sisters. Their predicament wasn’t far removed from Brick’s and his mother’s.
“All right,” Boyd relented. “Go to Clearview, but don’t show yourself to Taryn unless you have to.”
Brick’s brows drew together. “Why do you believe she’ll come through?”
“The girl is resourceful. How many times did she get more money from selling to cover what her father and brother couldn’t?”
“Every time they were short,” Brick responded, his features smoothing back into place.
Boyd grinned. “That’s why I know she’ll come through. But you gave a compelling argument. I’ve invested time in Taryn, and I don’t intend to let her go.”
A beat of silence passed before Brick said, “You gave your word that you would let her and Payton go if she got the money in time.”
“So? After I instituted some of the procedures I noticed Taryn doing, our profits have increased companywide. She keeps the regulars returning but buying a little more each time. Not only that, she has also brought in a significant number of new clients. All while having the wherewithal to avoid notice. Just think what we could do if Taryn trained all of our dealers. I’d make five times . . . no, ten times what I bring in now.”
Brick bowed his head. “You have ironclad control over all of Texas, Oklahoma, and the south. You rule all of it.”
“I want more,” Boyd said. “I can get that with Taryn.”
“You put too much on one girl.”
Boyd chuckled. “She’s a woman, Brick. Even you have to notice that.”
“She’s carried a heavy load because of her family, but you keep pushing. She’s either going to break or push back.”
“By that time, it won’t matter. I’ll have everything I need from her. Besides, I’ve got the best leverage over her there is—her sister. Now, I’ve made my decision. Go.” Boyd lifted his drink to Brick and made his way back inside the penthouse and to the woman waiting for him.
It was going to be a decadent night.
Brick took the back exit from the penthouse and then rode the elevator down to the parking garage.
He got into the black Jaguar XJS and drove home.
After he pulled the jag into the garage, he walked into the condo.
It didn’t take him long to pack a bag and water his plants before locking everything behind him, climbing into a dark green Jeep Wrangler, and backing out of the garage.
Then he pointed the Jeep toward Clearview and began driving.