by Piper Stone
Not if I wanted to find the evidence in order to clear my name.
Deception.
My entire world had crumbled in the matter of a few hours, my private life turned upside down by lies and deceit. And there was a single man to blame.
Carter Bradley was going to have his day of reckoning, but it wouldn’t involve police or the court system. I would be his judge, jury, and executioner. Hell, I’d started the damn company with the man over a dozen years before.
He had no idea what fate had in store for him.
My mouth watered at the thought.
“I know what I’m doing,” I said under my breath, antsy to get the hell out of Georgia. If my calculations were correct, I had maybe three hours tops before my disappearance would be detected. If I was wrong, then all hell would break loose before we were halfway to our destination.
Jax twisted his hand around the steering wheel, shaking his head. “I’ll say this to you right up front. You better be right about this, Sawyer. I refuse to spend the rest of my life in prison for helping you escape. I know you were railroaded, but you better have a damn good plan.”
“This plan is all I’ve been thinking about. I’ll find what I’m looking for.”
“You really think Carter Bradley was behind the whole thing? He was a victim too. Didn’t you lose several large contracts after the news hit the streets?”
“Not my company any longer so what the fuck do I care?” I shot a look in Jax’s direction as I settled into the seat. Before my arrest, the firm had been prepared to enter into two major contracts, one including becoming a yacht builder. That would have brought us an entirely new set of clients, those in the top echelon of society. “While I’m certain Carter was smart enough to steal money from the company, he used the opportunity to get what he always wanted. Me out of the picture.” The business was cutthroat as well as highly lucrative.
I’d been the brute, the one Carter had made fun of more than once.
However, I’d learned to walk the walk and talk the talk, something that pissed Carter off, but after years of hard work, we’d both enjoyed living the good life. Fast cars. Fancy restaurants. The finest accommodations. That’s what money and power had provided. For years, we’d been the only firm to use. From politicians to movie stars, everyone wanted a Bradley boat. Hell, I’d even been approached alone by a rather unscrupulous Saudi prince, offering the kind of job the majority of people would jump at.
Not me. I’d remained honorable, enjoying the spoils of our hard work.
Those days were over. Now I was nothing but a vigilante.
“Don’t know why you went into business with that snake in the first place. You’re damn talented.”
As if talent mattered. It was all about who you knew. “Because he had the connections that I hadn’t been able to garner,” I answered, the question one I’d thought about for years. Carter had come from an entirely different world than either Jax or I had, his family considered one of the most powerful and influential in the city of Miami. Hell, probably the entire East Coast.
I’d merely worked at a marina in Charleston in my youth, initially taking care of several pristine boats for wealthy clients, something Carter liked to remind me of during our brutal discussions. However, I’d honed my skills, able to repair the engines as well as anything else on the various boats if necessary. But I’d wanted more, my talent for design creating a buzz in the boating world. I’d been an idiot for attempting to partner with a shark.
I also hadn’t grown up with a real family, let alone a silver spoon in my mouth.
One thing was certain. Carter Bradley believed his shit didn’t stink, his wealth and power allowing him a pass when it came to respect as well as legal activities. Because of his family’s connections, it had only taken a single phone call and I’d been taken into custody.
The jury trial had taken two days. Two fucking days.
“I’m asking you one more time. Are you sure you want to do this?” Jax asked, his tone laced with concern.
Bradley Enterprises had been my baby from day one, my love of boating and the water fueling a passion for boat building. The water had been the only place I’d felt peace, hours spent drawing while I sat. Carter had convinced me to move into more lucrative markets, including powerboats, but in his mind, fifty-million-dollar yachts had the vision of the future. That had required a shift in our business model, something I’d fought initially.
Even whispering the name of the corporation dragged bile from my throat. Sadly, given he’d put up more than half the money, his name was slapped onto the corporate records. Within eight years, our profits had soared, our stocks going public and skyrocketing.
So had our arguments.
Four years later and we hadn’t been able to stand each other.
There were various reasons for our fallout. I hissed just thinking about them.
“What other choice do I have, Jax?” I asked between clenched teeth. “The fucker is going to pay. I’m through with being a nice guy. Time to play hardball.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the nasty expression on Jax’s face as he turned his head in my direction. “You were never a nice guy, Sawyer, but all I’m saying is that you never had a killing instinct.”
“Does that mean you do?”
He shook his head. “Bounty hunting allowed me to perfect my skills, Jax. Maybe you should have called me earlier. I could have handled him. That’s what family is for.”
Family.
We’d been nothing more than a ragtag group of friends, pretending our life wasn’t so damn bad.
“Let’s just get the fuck out of here,” I snarled, my nerves on edge. I didn’t want to fuck up his life like I had mine.
We remained quiet for several minutes, the dust from the road sending a haze over the top of the van. If only I could go back in time. Hell, if only I’d shared what I knew with the board of directors and not just Carter. He’d laughed at what I’d discovered on the books, pretending as if I hadn’t known what I was talking about. I should have seen the signs, the betrayal coming. Instead, I’d trusted our partnership.
Never again.
I couldn’t wait to confront him. What I did afterwards would be... soul healing.
“I did some checking on your boy,” he finally said.
“And what did you find?”
“Funny how he’s moved into the world of selling yachts.”
A laugh bubbled to the surface. “As if I couldn’t guess.”
“That may be the case, Sawyer, but his business tactics are considered even more ruthless, walking a fine line with criminal activity. The man is still worth millions even after the losses.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.” I could only imagine what had transpired since my arrest. However, Carter held several secrets, including dark proclivities that I doubted he wanted out in the open.
“That means he’s dangerous. Don’t be stupid enough to underestimate a man like Bradley.”
“I’m not the same man you knew years ago, Jax. There are things I did with regard to Bradley Enterprises that I’m not proud of, putting me into the same category as the bastard. One thing I do know. The bastard isn’t going to beat me.”
“You want the business after all this time?”
That had been a question I’d wrangled with. “I’m not entirely certain. What I did know is that the corporation would no longer remain in his name.”
Jax gave me another glance before nodding. “There’s some water and drinks in the cooler. A change of clothes in the back. I figured you’d want to get out of that shit. If I never wear the color orange again in my life, it’ll be too soon.”
“I appreciate your help, Jax. I really do,” I said quietly, loathing the fact my life had turned into this level of utter shit.
“Yeah, I know you do,” he said before raising the window. “You’re really going to confront Carter by yourself?”
I reached back, yanking a bottle of wate
r from the ice, rolling it across my forehead before cracking it open. “I’m going to have a little fun first. Trust me, I am more than capable of doing so. Unless you’re willing to participate. Could be just like old times.”
There was another moment of tension then he snorted. “Yeah, what the hell? I ain’t chasing a fuckin’ asshole right now. Money is in the bank. The bills are paid. Why not take a tropical adventure for a change? Besides, you’re not the bastard you think you are. You’re gonna need muscle anyways.”
I’d always been able to count on Jax from the time we’d developed an unlikely friendship. I’d been the kid nobody gave a shit about, including the welfare system. He’d taken me under his wing, teaching me the ways of the street.
Yet he had no idea that the Sawyer he’d known had vanished.
After a few seconds, I crawled into the back of the van, finding the bag of clothes Jax had brought. While I had beefed up almost thirty pounds, packing on more muscle than I’d ever had before, the clothes fit well enough to pass if necessary. However, if we were stopped, things might get dicey. Still, there was nothing like getting out of the shit attire that every prisoner was required to wear.
After changing, I eased against the side of the van, my body remaining tense, my nerves on edge. Breaking out of prison wasn’t in my best interests. Neither was the plan that had been set in motion. But if I was right, I’d find the evidence I needed.
If I was wrong... I was prepared to face the consequences, including death. After all, I had nothing to live for any longer. No life. No family. No money. All stolen.
After a few minutes, I leaned my head against the cold steel panel, praying I could finally close my eyes. The shit that I’d endured over the last year and a half had been a whirlwind of garbage, my record permanently stained even if I could find evidence Carter was behind my arrest. There had to be something. While Carter was ingenious on certain levels, he also enjoyed boasting about his wins, a habit I considered a true weakness. He’d keep whatever lies he’d created as a trophy.
At least that’s what I was counting on.
While I wasn’t a praying man, my past jading every thought regarding religion, family, or even friends, I attempted to summon the karma gods. I just wanted my fucking life back and I would do anything it took to make that happen, including murder.
“Get some rest. We have to be on our game when we arrive at the destination you mentioned. Rafael had better come through. He didn’t seem like the same dude that I knew when we talked about this damn scheme. Kinda didn’t like his attitude. Pompous. Greedy.”
“As if you can talk,” I teased. While the two had always sparred, I knew I could trust both men with my life.
And my freedom.
He lifted his sunglasses before staring at me in the rearview mirror. “Yeah, well, we can all change. He gave me an address at the marina. You know the Coast Guard will be put on notice at some point. The state police won’t take any chances given your history. I sure as shit hope you’re not taking us to Cuba.”
“You just leave that final destination to me. The less you know the better if we’re caught.”
Jax growled, the deep baritone filling the space. “If we are then I’ll kick your ass straight to hell. You won’t have to worry about prison. I have a life to get back to. All I’m saying is that Rafael better have a fast boat.”
“Rafael has the connections to make this happen,” I countered. “He’ll come through.”
“Yeah? What is he now, some bigtime drug dealer?”
“Not quite,” I said, laughing. While Rafael Valencia had once been the third in our group, the darkness that dwelled within him pushing him toward a life of crime, he’d suddenly joined the military. Now he was considered a weapon’s expert, sought after by both criminals and those needing extreme protection. That’s about all I knew, his missions considered confidential. We’d remained close. I’d even hired him on a couple of occasions in order to maintain order back in the glorious days of wining and dining clients. His skills were topnotch. And he had a penchant for blood, a worthwhile trait. “Trust me, Jax. He knows what he’s doing.”
“You keep saying that, bud, and maybe I’ll eventually believe it. I will say, good to see your ugly mug again.” Jax laughed then turned on the radio, shifting to whatever country music station he could find, something else Georgia was known for.
“Wish I could say the same thing about you.” At least I could still manage to laugh.
I half snickered at the thought of seeing Carter’s face again, especially since one of the last times he’d confronted me had been with such rage in his voice.
And contempt.
I closed my eyes, the humidity as well as the close confines suffocating. Just the thought of Bradley Enterprises left a bad taste in my mouth. I’d made a promise to Carter on the day of my arrest and it was one I intended on keeping. At least I could go to sleep thinking about what I was going to do to him.
Laughing, I moved into my office, almost immediately hearing the sound of heavy footsteps thumping on the corridor floor. The moment I arched my back, attempting to find out why the commotion, my gut kicked in.
The stern look on Carter’s face and the fact not one but six federal officers trailed behind him as they headed in the direction of the executive offices was a dead giveaway.
“What the hell is going on?” I muttered as the group moved into the hallway. I heard the various gasps from other employees, the same ones who’d heard our vicious arguments during the last few weeks. “Carter. What is going on?”
“As if you don’t know. Did you really think you could get away with it, Sawyer? Did you really think I was that much of a damn fool?” Carter asked, not bothering to keep the interaction in private.
“I have no clue what the fuck you’re talking about, but I suggest we handle this behind closed doors.”
Carter sneered, his gaze sweeping the corridor. “Why bother? I need every person in our company to know that you’re nothing but a criminal.”
My blood began to boil. I’d suspected Carter was planning a hostile takeover, even hiring someone to tinker with our books, but this was completely unexpected. “You asshole. What the hell did you do?”
His eyes were twinkling as he approached. “I think you need to ask yourself that question. I thought we were partners, preparing to take this company to an even higher identity. You didn’t hide your tracks well enough, Sawyer. That makes you the fool. Now, that’s going to cost you. Your freedom.”
I crowded his space, keeping a smile plastered on my face. “You’re behind this. You’re right about one thing, Carter. I was a fool, but only in believing I could trust you. The truth will be revealed.”
Carter turned his head toward the officers. “Gentlemen, you have a warrant that you need to carry out. I suggest you get to it.”
“Carter. I will find a way to destroy you. Trust me. There isn’t a rock you can hide under.”
The hard jolt was enough to drag me out of a fitful nap. Another damn dream. The majority of people would call my visions a nightmare. I called them a reminder of what I needed to do. My entire body ached, the anger I’d felt during the ugly visions remaining.
When I peered over the seats, I was surprised that the dusk was settling in. “Shit. How long have I been out?”
“A few hours, buddy. I even stopped for gas. Thought you were dead or something,” Jax said, grinning as he glared into the rearview mirror. “It’ll be nightfall before we get there. We’re right on time, as long as there haven’t been any roadblocks set up yet.”
“Does that mean my escape made the news?” I’d fought my way onto the work detail program, working on one of the local farms from sunup to sundown.
“Heard it on the police scanner about two hours ago.”
“Fuck. We need to get off the road.” I leaned over the seat, studying the two-lane road. While there was limited traffic, I wouldn’t put it past the Georgia authorities to contact Florida l
aw enforcement for help. My guess was that Carter would suspect I was coming after him. Or maybe he’d just laugh at the thought.
“Relax. You forget what I do for a damn living. I know all the secondary roads like the back of my hand. Just stay where you are and have a little faith.”
“Faith is something that’s in limited supply right now.”
Jax twisted his head in my direction. “I get it. After all this time, I still don’t get what the hell happened. Didn’t hear from you for years then suddenly you called in the middle of the freaking night asking for bailout money.”
Snorting, I reached for the water. “It’s called greed, Jax. Pure and simple. I refused to accept the buyout offer the fucker had proposed more than once so Carter found another way to get rid of me.”
“If that’s the case, then he was working with someone, including within the court system. Too easy to make mistakes.”
“I have no doubt he was,” I mused. “He enjoyed making certain I knew just how powerful and well-connected his family was. Now, he and everyone he cares about are going to pay the price.”
“While revenge is sweet, Sawyer, just be careful what you wish for. Trust me, I know regret more than most.”
“You want to tell me about it?” Jax had a hard edge to his actions and his words, even more so than when we’d shared a shitty apartment in Charleston, all three trying to make ends meet while dreaming up a better life. Still, I remembered the days fondly, even the fact we’d shared a woman more than once during that time.
We’d pretended we’d found that family every time, only to be kicked in the gut more than once. Women couldn’t handle three brutes for long.
Women. I eased back onto the floor, thinking about my early days while creating the company. I’d worked long hours in my desire to succeed, foregoing a personal relationship. Casual dates had been required, including attending various swanky functions. I’d performed as required, even obtaining a reputation as being one of the most eligible bachelors in Miami.