Taryn gave in to them for a few moments, then wiped her eyes and drove away, both relieved not to be involved with Pete any longer and also angry that she still didn’t have any money. And time was running out.
She drove for a few miles before she pulled over and allowed herself another good cry. The tears didn’t fix her problems, but she was overwhelmed and fast losing hope. Eventually, the tears dried. She leaned her head back against the seat and blinked, her eyes now stinging from all the crying.
Taryn drew in a deep breath and did what she had always done—she tried to find a solution. No matter how many things she tried to concentrate on, all she could think about was Jace.
You can go to him.
She knew that, but she also knew it wasn’t wise.
Why not? If anyone in the entire world wouldn’t hesitate to help you, it’s Jace.
That was true. It was just part of what made Jace … Jace. But did she really want to involve him in things with someone like Boyd? Look how Pete and Jerome had reacted.
They aren’t Jace.
She shook her head at her subconscious. She had already hurt him enough. What kind of person did that to someone and then went to them, asking for such a hefty sum of money? The worst kind.
Who else can you turn to? This isn’t about you or Jace. It’s about Payton.
Taryn slammed her hand against the steering wheel, mainly because she knew the voice in her head was right.
You’re wasting time. Drive to Jace’s now.
No. It was the worst idea ever.
But no matter how many times she tried to come up with another plan, she got nothing. Taryn knew she had nowhere else to turn, and Payton was counting on her. She put the car in drive before she lost her nerve and headed toward Jace’s. She wasn’t sure if she could go in, but she would at least give it a try.
She only hoped that he would let her talk. Then again, it wasn’t as if she wanted to tell him everything. The night he came for them, Boyd had made it impossible for her to send Jace anything but the curt text she had sent, breaking things off.
But Jace needed some answers.
And she had to give them.
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.