Clayton’s lips twisted as he shrugged. “That’s a tough call. But if I’m being honest, I’d probably do exactly what you’re doing. Especially with the intel that Taryn gave about the connections Boyd has. Y’all have one shot to get Payton out and Taryn free once and for all. But do you understand what that’s going to entail?”
“Boyd either in custody … or dead,” Jace replied.
Clayton glanced at Taryn. “And with how the authorities have tried to get him for some crime, the likelihood of him actually being prosecuted is slim.”
“Taryn would testify against him. I’m sure Payton would, as well.”
Clayton shot him a surprised look. “You understand that even if Boyd does get arrested, his organization won’t stop. His men know what to do in that instance. And they’ll be gunning for one person.”
“Taryn,” Jace said, his stomach knotting.
“She’ll have to go into witness protection to stand any chance of surviving until the trial.”
Jace ran a hand down his face. “She’s already lost so many years. I don’t want to put her through that.”
“It might not be your call to make. However, it is something you should talk to her about. She may want him to pay for his crimes.”
Jace knew it would be easier if Boyd just stopped existing. Would that be enough to halt his men from going after Taryn? Jace wasn’t sure.
“You’ve not even thought of Payton,” Clayton added.
Jace grimaced. He was so focused on Taryn that he kept forgetting her sister. “She’s been held as a prisoner this entire time. Taryn said the few times she saw her, Payton looked well. But that doesn’t mean anything.”
“You know better than most what it’s like to be a prisoner.”
It was something Jace wished he could forget, but he understood what Clayton was trying to say. Payton might be so damaged psychologically and emotionally that she won’t be able to testify. Or may would refuse to. That would put the burden on Taryn.
Clayton caught his gaze. “It’s something to think about.”
Jace nodded his thanks as he turned his head to look at his wife, who beamed. Taryn wouldn’t live in fear anymore. She wouldn’t be ruled by Boyd any longer.
And Jace was prepared to do whatever it took to ensure that happened.
Chapter 23
All too quickly, the day was gone. Before Taryn knew it, Jace had carried the duffle of cash to her car. He was the only one who wasn’t already dressed in the all-black tactical gear, including bulletproof vests and helmets. After hours of going over every detail of the plan, watching Jace and the others clean their weapons and load ammunition, check their equipment three different times, and hearing Marlee and Clayton finalizing the last arrangements for additional help, it was time for the mission to begin.
This could be the beginning of a new life for her.
Or it could all end in a few hours.
Taryn was both scared and excited at the prospect of regaining her and Payton’s freedom. Not to mention her new marriage to Jace. She had never been so happy. Or so terrified.
She followed Jace under cover of night to her car. As each minute passed, bringing her closer and closer to the time she had to leave, she found it more and more difficult to do it. So many things could go wrong. But what choice did she have? Her sister was at the mercy of a lunatic, and the only way Payton would get free was if Taryn did something.
But she was also being selfish because she no longer wanted to be beholden to Boyd.
Jace put the bag in the back seat and closed the door. Then he faced her. He cupped her face with his hands. “Baby? What is it?”
“I don’t know if I can do this.”
He smiled as his hands dropped to her shoulders and skimmed down her arms to take her hands in his. “If anyone can do this, it’s you. Look what you’ve already done without anyone’s help.”
“I’ve been balanced on the edge of a cliff for years. I’m not sure how I didn’t fall off before, but I know it’s going to happen tonight.”
“It isn’t,” Jace insisted. He caught her gaze and held it. “I won’t let you down.”
She glanced at the sky, not seeing the thick clouds rolling past the full moon. “I know you won’t. It’s Boyd and his men.”
“Don’t think about that. You need to keep going over the plan. You know the area where you’ll be. You remember the two locations to go for me to find you, right?”
Taryn nodded woodenly.
“Just go over everything again and again. You know the plan. You know the backup plan. You know all the contingencies.”
“If something happens and I’m not able to get away, I won’t work for him anymore. I can’t. I’d rather die.”
Jace grabbed her shoulders and gave her a slight shake. “Stay alive. No matter what. Do you hear me? Because nothing will keep me from getting to you. Nothing. If I have to traverse Hell itself to find you, I will.”
She threw her arms around him. Jace sighed and held her tightly. Taryn knew how organized Jace and his friends were. She knew the plan was good. The contingencies were solid. Yet, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was going to go wrong.
“It’s going to be all right. I promise,” Jace whispered. “We have the rest of our lives together.”
Taryn squeezed her eyes closed as she fought against the flood of tears. She wasn’t strong. Fear had gotten her through each and every day. Fear of being killed, of losing her sister. That’s what drove her to work harder than anyone else. If she had been as strong as everyone thought, she would’ve found a way to free herself and Payton a long time ago.
And she would’ve come to Jace the moment she drove to Clearview.
No, she wasn’t strong. She was a coward. The last thing she wanted to do was return to Boyd. But she didn’t have any other choice.
“I need you to stay to the course you’ve been on these last years,” Jace told her. “Do that just a little while longer, darlin’, so I and the others can get to Fort Worth and end this nightmare you and your sister have been living. Can you do that for me?”
Taryn nodded as she pulled back and opened her eyes to look at him. “I can.”
“All of this will be over soon.”
Yes, it would. One way or another. Taryn forced a smile when Jace continued staring at her. He made a sound in the back of his throat and pulled her against him for another hug. Then he kissed her—a long, slow kiss full of promises. A display of his unending love. When he finally ended it, all she could think about was going to their room and taking off his clothes.
Instead, she got into her car and fastened her seatbelt—and everything came rushing back. Jace stopped at the front of the hood when she started the engine. To anyone watching, it would look as if they were saying goodbye. She waved at him. Jace blew her a kiss. Taryn smiled and blew him a kiss in return.
Then she put the car in reverse and backed out of the driveway. She gave Jace one more look before she drove away. He stood in the same spot and lifted a hand in farewell. Then he was out of sight, swallowed by the darkness.
The lines on the road passed in a blur as Taryn pointed her car northwest and headed toward Fort Worth. Fifteen minutes on the highway, she phoned Boyd as planned.