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 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.
Chapter 8
The last thing Jace wanted was company. So when a knock sounded on the door, he thought about ignoring it. Then he heard Brice call his name. If Jace didn’t answer, Brice would use his key and enter anyway.
“We know you’re in there,” Caleb shouted.
Cooper then said, “We brought beer.”
Jace loved his friends more than anything, but he wasn’t in the mood for them tonight. They would know that something was wrong and keep prodding him until he told them what it was. And, frankly, he didn’t want to hear anything they had to say—good or bad—about Taryn. But he didn’t have a choice.
He pushed himself out of his chair and made his way from the living room to the back door, where the faces of his closest friends stared at him. He shook his head, a smile forming as he motioned them inside.
“Told you he’d want us,” Caleb said as he entered first.
He was the youngest of the Harper siblings. Brice was the middle child, and Abby, the eldest, was married to Clayton East, who happened to own the largest cattle ranch in the area. Jace watched as Caleb and Brice went to the fridge to put away the beer. He turned his head back to the door to find Cooper and Ryan watching him.
“What?” he asked them.
Ryan lifted a shoulder. “You look a sight better than you did last night.”
“You should’ve seen him when he woke earlier,” Cooper said with a grin.
Jace rolled his eyes and turned away. He took the beer Brice offered and sipped it. The one thing about being friends with such a group was that everyone knew everyone else’s secrets. He didn’t have to ask why they were there, and they didn’t need to say it. They knew he was in need. It was as simple as that.
“Y’all didn’t have to come,” he said as he made his way back to the living area.
Caleb was right behind him and took a seat on the sofa. “I’m just sad I didn’t get to see you fall on your face last night. From what I hear, it was pretty epic.”
“It couldn’t have been too bad,” Brice said from the kitchen. “There aren’t any bruises.”
Ryan chuckled as he sat on the other end of the sofa. “I’m just curious to know if you could’ve handled the two women fawning over you last night.”
“Women are always trying to get Jace.” Cooper shot him a grin as he leaned a shoulder against the archway to the kitchen. “It’s been that way for most of his life. He’s never had to work as hard as the rest of us.”