Southern Sass (Southern Desires Series Book 6)

by Jeannette Winters

  “Send flowers to the Brown family.” It made him sick. He knew he should be there himself not sending some bouquet.

  “What would you like it to say?” Connie asked.

  “Whatever you want it to. Before you do that, I need you to schedule a senior staff meeting.”

  “Certainly. For when?”

  “Thirty minutes.”

  “I don’t believe they have all arrived yet.”

  “Then pick up the phone and tell them to get their butts to work. I’m back, and playtime is over.”

  Connie nodded. “Anything else?”

  He could see she was trying to hold back tears. It wasn’t the first time she’d heard him barking orders. They’d just never been directed at her. Ryan prided himself on certain things and being a Southern gentleman was one of them. Cussing out a man was fine and normal. Raising your voice to a woman was asking for an ass whooping. “That’s all for now.”

  He cringed as he watched her scurry out of his office. Normally they’d have exchanged some type of pleasantry. He didn’t blame her for not wanting to be around him. If I live through this, I’ll apologize and give you a raise.

  He wished he was allowed to take his SAT phone with him because he’d like a status update from Lou. He was being monitored, but he was blind to what was coming. Ryan could only speculate they’d done so intentionally. Softly, so only they could pick it up on the mic, he said, “You guys sure in hell better be right.” He wanted to add they also better be ready, but he knew Collins was good at what he did. That didn’t mean when shit started to go down, Ryan was going to hide behind some tree. Whether Collins knew it or not, Ryan was all in.

  He tried to work until the meeting. Things had piled up, but business was the last thing on his mind. Sitting behind his desk, he picked up the framed photo that’d been there for years. Donna was all dressed up, and her hair was in long braids on each side of her head, ready to celebrate her fifth birthday. He remembered Janet worked so hard to make everything perfect for a photo shoot. She’d even hired a professional photographer to capture the family moment.

  That came to an abrupt halt when Donna came outside to see her gift. She pulled away from Janet when she saw her pony. She ran through the mud, slipping and ruining her pretty blue dress. Janet was livid with him, but Ryan couldn’t remember a happier time. He saw pure joy in his daughter’s eyes.

  Janet couldn’t stand things not being perfect, exactly the way she envisioned them, and she asked the photographer to leave. Before the guy left, Ryan had him snap one photo. To this day, it was still his favorite.

  He put the frame back on the desk. Ryan hadn’t seen her that happy again until he saw her at the Wild Sass with Sissie. Somehow Sissie pulled out that joyful spirit Donna had buried. Or maybe I’m the one who buried it for her. Either way, he never wanted that to happen again. He knew if anything happened to him, at least she wasn’t alone anymore. She had Sissie. It wasn’t the same as a parent, but damn, he hadn’t been the best father.

  There was something about Sissie. She not only changed Donna but him as well. She was the one who guided him on what to say to Donna about what happened to Janet. Sissie was amazing. What woman would do all this and expect nothing in return? He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. An angel.

  At any time she could’ve told him off, yet she hadn’t. She stood her ground and didn’t let him walk on her, but she didn’t turn away from him either. In a short time, he felt closer to her than he could have imagined. It wasn’t only how she felt in his arms or how she called out his name when he made love to her. It was the conversations they had. She listened while he spoke and actually seemed to care about what was affecting him. Before he knew it, he’d shared with her things he hadn’t even admitted to himself yet.

  Ryan didn’t need to drink his beer before she had him spilling his guts. He laughed softly to himself. She owned a saloon, and it was a long-standing joke that people confessed things to their bartender they’d never shared with another living soul. She had more than just his secrets. She was snagging a part of him he thought was dead. His heart.

  He wasn’t sure exactly what he felt for her, but Sissie was important to him. He’d asked a lot of her, but what had he truly given her in return? When she asked him for the truth, he gave her only some before shutting her out. Even their parting wasn’t on a good note. Ryan wasn’t sure what the future held, but if there was one, he knew he needed change. If there was one thing he’d learned from losing Janet, and knowing what the impact of Jack’s death was going to have on Honeywell, it was that life was too damn short to waste it.

  His success so far has been determined by his financial status. With money came power. At the end what would he actually have? Just a tombstone with a dollar sign and a bunch of zeros on it. That wasn’t the legacy he wanted to leave behind. It was a damn shame it took knowing his life was on the line to make him reconsider what kind of life he wanted going forward. And who I want to spend it with.

  Ryan knew what he wanted. Something he and Donna should’ve had all along, but he was too damn stupid to notice it. He wanted a family. Not just in name, but one that did things together because they wanted to. He was going to make every effort to have that with Donna, and if possible, he’d like Sissie to be part of that equation too.

  There was a knock on the door, and Ryan had to snap back to reality. What was about to come next was going to determine if there was a future for him at all.

  “Enter.”

  Connie opened the door and peered in. He could tell she was still leery of him. If he had his way, he’d make sure she wasn’t anywhere around when this shit went down.

  “Everyone is in the boardroom. Is there anything else I can prepare for you?”

  “Go home.” The words were out of his mouth before he could stop.

  “Home? Why? Am I . . . fired?”

  “Since when did you start questioning me?”

  “I’m . . . I’m sorry. It’s just that I thought—”

  He couldn’t stand watching her being torn to pieces at his doing. But he needed her out of there. If Lou was right, Carl was going to make his move soon after he dropped the ax. “That’s the problem. You didn’t think. Your job is to secure my office. Carl never should’ve been allowed inside.” He raised his voice again, knowing damn well it could be heard in the boardroom. “Don’t bother packing your desk. I’ll have your belongings sent to you.”

  Connie didn’t argue with him. Instead, in a soft broken tone, she replied, “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

  He stood there as she ran out of the office. Ryan followed and saw her grab her purse and rush down the hall. He could hear her sobs and was unable to do a damn thing about it. In a low voice, he gave instructions. “She’s all yours now.” He knew Lou would have his men grab her and secure her until all was clear.

  Turning in the hall, he entered the boardroom. The door had been opened, and once inside he could see his staff was on edge after hearing him rip into Connie. His demeanor might not be anything new to them, but she was loved and respected by everyone and didn’t deserve his shit. He knew the only thing preventing a few of them from hauling off and decking him right now was they wanted to keep their jobs.

  There was only one who didn’t seem to give a shit. Don’t worry, Carl; your ass is next. Ryan took the seat at the head of the table and ignored the grumblings around him. “Let’s get this meeting started.”

  The room quieted, and all eyes were on him. Ryan intentionally went person to person meeting their gaze. He wanted them to know who was in charge. It sure as hell wasn’t Carl. The room was tense, and Ryan knew he was the reason. It was about to go into overload.

  “I don’t know what the hell you people think is going on, but just because my office is vacant, and Henri isn’t here, doesn’t mean this operation shuts down.” He saw a few flinches when he mentioned Henri. Ryan knew he should be saying something nice, uplifting, positive, as though there was hope he’d
be found and all was well. After speaking with Carl, the word tragedy stuck with him. Hope wasn’t something he felt any longer. Not for Henri and maybe not even for me.

  “I’m not happy with how things have been handled. As you probably heard, Connie is no longer with us.”

  Mabel from human resources spoke up. “Mr. Watson, this might not be the time to dive into the details. May I suggest we meet afterward?”

  “How about you spend that time cleaning out her desk?” Ryan said coldly.

  Mabel pulled herself upright in her chair and nodded. No one in the room challenged his decisions.

  “There are about to be some major changes happening here. You’re either on board or feel free to take the door. There’s only one person who has the final say. That’s me. Any questions?”

  He looked around the room. Not a peep. Then his eyes fell onto Carl again. He was sitting there, looking toward his lap. Ryan noticed everyone else had their cell phone on the table except for Carl. Neither his hands nor his phone was visible. Who are you texting, Carl? Preparing my demise?

  Carl wasn’t dumb. He knew something was coming, and he was setting up the next phase of their plan. What Carl didn’t know was Collins was banking on that. And I’m counting on Collins.

  Ryan stood. This part was going to be quick. He turned to Mabel. “Make it two boxes.” She seemed stunned as well as the others. Then he walked around the table and stopped at Carl’s chair. “I don’t know what you were doing in my office, but whatever it was, it just cost you your job. You’re fired.” In a voice that was almost a growl, he said, “Now get the hell out of my building before I have you thrown out.”

  Carl stood, and as suspected, his phone fell off his lap onto the floor, landing face up. Before Carl could retrieve it, Ryan noticed he’d been texting someone, but from that distance, he couldn’t make out who. He didn’t have to read it to know it was about him and definitely not work related.

  Ryan stepped out of the way so Carl could pass by. Not one word was uttered as he walked out of the office. Mabel stood up and approached Ryan. Whispering in his ear, she offered to call security to make sure he left without incident. Denying that offer would only look suspicious, so Ryan nodded.

  When she was out of the room, Ryan went back to his seat. “Does anyone have any questions?” Nothing. With Carl out of earshot, he needed to take this chance. This might be the last time he ever got to speak to them again. He knew it wasn’t part of Collins’s plan but putting his ass on the line hadn’t been part of his either. In a much softer tone, Ryan addressed them. “I know many of you have been with me for years. Although what you’ve heard might not make any sense to you, I ask you to trust me. We’ve come a long way, and I’m asking for your cooperation and continued loyalty for a while longer.”

  “Ry—I mean, Mr. Watson, I have questions, but you’ve never let us down before. I’m sure your actions were based on due cause.”

  Ryan turned to Sam who never was the first to speak up in a meeting. “Thanks. Next time we meet, I’ll answer them. Right now, I have some things to attend to.”

  He left the boardroom. Instead of going back to the office, he did what Lou had instructed. Ryan pulled out his cell phone and called for the limo to be readied.

  He already knew the limo wasn’t going to be there when he got outside. The plan was to let them grab him, and they would follow. Ryan felt his clammy palms as he walked out the door and into a trap. He had a total lack of control from that moment on. It all belonged to Carl and Collins. He was just the bait.

  As the large black SUV pulled up in front of him, two men got out with their faces covered in ski masks and weapons drawn. Ryan raised his hands as he looked down the barrel of the gun. They waved him to get inside. “Where are you taking me?”

  “To join Mr. Brown.”

  Ryan felt a sharp blow to the back of his head, and then all went black. When he came to, he found himself strapped down to some type of hard board. He struggled to free himself, but the more he moved, the tighter it became. He could lift his head slightly, and by what he was able to see, he was in some warehouse.

  When he laid his head back on the board, it was like a sledgehammer had made contact with his skull; nausea welled in him. There was no doubt he had a concussion, but that was the least of his worries at the moment.

  Ryan wiggled his toes and knew he still had his boots on. That meant they probably didn’t find his gun. Unless he could free himself that wasn’t going to matter though. Closing his eyes, he listened for anything. There were no voices, but off to his right he heard coughing and moaning.

  Once again he lifted his head and turned, trying to see where the moans were coming from. They were soft. Faint. That’s when he saw Henri. He was damn glad to see he wasn’t dead, but shit . . . that man looked like hell. Henri was pale and covered in sweat. It was difficult to tell, but it appeared his breathing was labored. Ryan couldn’t see any restraints, but in Henri’s condition, they didn’t need them.

  Ryan hadn’t forgotten that Lou and Collins were listening. He now understood why they didn’t place a traditional wire on him. These guys surely would’ve found it because his shirt was ripped wide open. Even an earpiece would’ve been detected. He moved his hands and could feel the cufflinks rubbing on the table. They aren’t as smart as Collins is. Damn good thing. He needed them to know time was of the essence. Although he couldn’t see or hear anyone, he was sure they weren’t far from him. He needed to think clearly. What he said might be the key to their rescue.

  “You sound extremely sick, Henri. Coughing and fever. This is one large and drafty warehouse, and I’m sure that ain’t helping any.”

  A voice came from his left side. “He can’t understand you. Another twenty-four hours, and he won’t be alive.”

  Ryan turned to see a young man standing there. He was in some sort of medical gear, dressed as a doctor. If he was a physician, he should be helping Henri, but the look on the guy’s face was cold. Whatever he had in store for them wasn’t good.

  “Who are you?” Ryan asked.

  “You don’t need to know my name.”

  I don’t, but I want Collins to know. “What’s wrong with Henri?”

  The man laughed. “Those symptoms don’t look familiar to you?” Ryan had no idea what he was talking about. Ryan had no medical training. If it wasn’t for a digital thermometer, he probably couldn’t read a temperature correctly. The man peered at Ryan and said, “Have you forgotten your dear Janet so soon?”

  Ryan’s hands clenched, and he once again pulled against the restraints. “You son of a bitch!”

  “You’re not leaving here, Mr. Watson. How you die is your choice. Tell us what we want to know, and it’ll be quick, painless. Don’t tell us, and you’ll suffer like your friend here.”

  “He didn’t know anything,” Ryan growled.

  “No, he didn’t. But his disappearance brought you back, didn’t it?”

  He could appreciate a strategic move, but these bastards were sick, and he didn’t doubt for a minute that he was telling the truth. He’d never forgotten what Janet went through, how she suffered. And even with all her medical knowledge, she died. She said it was something there was no cure for. Turning his head, he looked at Henri again. Now he saw it. That was the way Janet looked the day before she died. Anger didn’t come close to what he was feeling. Henri was a family man. He had a wife and children not much younger than Donna. He could think of a few people he’d like to see trading places with Henri right now, but they were the same ones who’d put him there. And I can’t do a fucking thing to change it. Damn it. I’m so sorry, Henri.

  Although he didn’t wish to suffer the same fate as Henri, there was no way in hell he was divulging anything to them. The only thing he could do was ensure he obtained as much information as he could to help Collins defeat these bastards.

  Turning back, he said, “Since I’m not making it out of here, I should at least know the name of the asshole who’s a
bout to take my life.”

  “So you’re going to talk?” he asked.

  “Dead is dead. Does it matter to you which I choose?”

  “I truly hope you don’t talk.”

  He had wanted to put a bullet in Carl, but this guy just made it to the top of the list. “Give me your name, and it’s a deal.”

  “Jeremy Talroy.”

  Ryan knew this wasn’t JT. “Good try. That scumbag is dead.”

  He saw the guy clench his jaw. “That scumbag was my father.”

  Hope you heard that, Collins. You wanted him, and here he is. Now come and get this fucker.

  “I should’ve guessed. You both have that weasel look about you. You know, only tough when your opponent is tied down.” He knew pushing Jeremy’s buttons was stupid, but it was all he had to use right now.

  The man only laughed as he raised a hypodermic needle. “Don’t worry, Mr. Watson, you won’t have to see my face long. I’ve had years to master my skills. What took weeks for your wife to die, now will only take days. Just think, in less than seventy-two hours you’ll be joining her.”

  Jeremy grabbed Ryan’s arm and slid his sleeve up. Fighting wasn’t going to change the inevitable. He didn’t do anything, just stood there looking at him. “What are you waiting for?” It wasn’t as though Ryan wanted to rush this, but he could see Jeremy was in deep thought, and he wanted to know what that was.

  “I’m just thinking of everything I’ve lost. My father and now my mother is in prison. Killing you won’t be the retribution I wanted, but it will be a good start.”

  “What do you mean start?”

  “Your lovely daughter, Donna. I’m sure she misses her mother and would love to see her too.”

  Ryan once again struggled to get free. Jeremy smirked. “You bastard. If you—”

  “I don’t believe you’re in any position to threaten me now, are you?”

  He might not be, but he knew someone would finish the job if he couldn’t. “Not yet.”

  Jeremy leaned over and said, “Not ever.”