by Sybil Bartel
“Noted.” There was a smile in his voice when he dropped his tone to the low timber I was becoming addicted to. “I just wanted to check in. I’ll be back tonight.”
“Stay if you need to be with her, I’m fine here.” I felt bad he was going to drive another two hours on so little sleep.
“I’m not sure how to take that.”
My instinct was to lie or push him away but I forced myself to speak the truth. “I want to see you but you’ve barely slept and it’d be easier for you to stay in Gainesville, not to mention you’d be closer to your mom.”
“I’ll see you in a few hours,” he said instantly.
Relief and something else I couldn’t identify that fluttered around in my stomach. “Okay.”
“Do you have everything you need? Do you want me to pick up anything?”
His kindness almost brought tears to my eyes. “I’m all set.”
“If you think of anything, call me.”
“Okay...and Buck?”
“Yeah?”
I gripped the phone. “Thanks, for everything.”
“I haven’t done anything yet. I’ll see you tonight.”
He’d done more than anyone ever had. “Drive safe.”
“Will do,” he said gruffly. “Good bye.”
“Bye,” I whispered, but he’d already hung up.
* * *
Talon was in the kitchen making dinner and I’d been relegated to the couch with a margarita because he said tequila took away my rough edges. I was too tired to argue with him about it. But at one point, I did wander into the kitchen and take a swig from the tequila bottle just because I could. Talon had laughed and pulled me into his arms, holding me in front of him while he cooked. He called me Sugar and whispered relentlessly inappropriate sweet nothings and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love every second of it, but he wasn’t Buck, not even close.
I was back on the couch when Buck walked in a few minutes before nine. When his eyes found mine, he looked three hours past tired and well into weary.
“Hi.” I stood then hesitated, not sure what to do or how to act around him.
“Hey.”
“Just in time for dinner,” Talon called from the kitchen.
“Great.” Buck didn’t take his eyes off me.
My leg started to bounce and my heartbeat took off, ricocheting through my senses. I lasted three more seconds then I couldn’t take it. I crossed the few feet between us and threw my arms around him. When he wrapped his arms around me and buried his face in my hair, my center of gravity came back. “Hi,” I breathed.
“Thank you,” he said quietly.
A lump formed in my throat. Reluctantly, I pulled away. “How is she?”
“She had a good day. She didn’t seem like she was in pain, she was lucid.”
“I’m glad.” I couldn’t imagine watching my mother slowly die.
A ghost of a smile touched his face. “She was curious about you though.”
My eyes went wide. “You didn’t.”
“I didn’t what?” He lightly dragged a finger across my cheek. “Tell her I met a pretty girl in church?”
I shivered from his touch. “Yeah.”
Buck leaned down to my ear. “I don’t lie,” he whispered. “I said you were beautiful.” Then he straightened and walked into the kitchen, leaving me sputtering.
“What’s up, Deer Hunter,” Talon asked solemnly.
“Not much. You need help?” Buck swiped a bite of something Talon was cooking.
“Almost done. Grab some plates and get yourself something to drink. How’s she doin’?”
“Trying to hang on.” Buck said it quietly.
Talon stopped what he was doing and looked at Buck. “We all got our time my friend. Only one man knows hers.”
I was surprised at Talon’s reference to God, he didn’t seem the type.
“She made sure to tell me to tell you to find a nice girl and settle down. She emphasized nice. Three times.” Buck smiled at Talon.
“Hey man, they’re all nice, that’s the problem.” Talon grinned.
“Yeah, I’ve heard it before—too much Talon, too little time.” Buck smirked and pulled out plates.
Talon laughed. “Hey Sugar, get your skinny ass in here.”
I walked into the kitchen. “I’m not skinny,” I corrected. I’d seen models, I wasn’t that.
Talon laughed again. “You got no back, Sugar.”
“You’re a little skinny,” Buck agreed.
“Screw you both, you freak of nature Neanderthals.”
Quicker than I could blink, Talon grabbed me in a bear hug and lifted me off my feet.
I squealed like a girl.
“See? Light as hell, Sugar.” Talon set me back on my feet but didn’t let go. He turned me in his arms and faced us toward Buck.
Buck was smiling. I was scowling.
“Did I mention she also likes big strong arms around her, Deer Hunter?” Talon chuckled. “She told me,” he said conspiratorially.
“Yeah, I just bet she did.” Buck crossed his arms.
“She did! Tell him, Sugar! You love it when I do this. She practically begged me, all day, couldn’t get a thing done. You’re lucky you’re gettin’ dinner.”
“I told him listening to him is like shoveling shit,” I deadpanned.
Talon dissolved into laughter and released me.
“That a girl.” Buck winked.
Talon filled our plates with an obscene amount of food: tacos, rice, beans, fresh salsa and the crispiest chips I’d ever had.
“Delicious,” I said to Talon once I’d eaten practically everything on my plate.
“I’ve got mad skills, Sugar, never forget it. Anytime you want to drop Deer Hunter and move to the big league, you let me know.”
“Talon,” Buck warned.
“Gee, and be one of the hundreds? As tempting an offer as that is, I think I’ll pass.”
“Oh, harshin’ on me, Sugar? After all I did for you today? C’mon now, where’s the love?”
“Spread all over Daytona apparently.” I scooted my chair back and stood to clear my plate.
Buck was laughing.
Talon put his hand over his chest. “You know right where to wound me, darlin’.”
“You make it easy.” I cleared the rest of the plates and started on dishes.
I heard Buck and Talon quietly talking, but I couldn’t make out what they were saying. A few minutes later Buck spoke up.
“Layna, come join us.”
I’d been dreading this all day. Part of me just wanted this whole mess to go away, but more, I felt guilty having Talon and Buck involved. They were risking their lives and I had nothing I could give them in return.
Buck watched me sit down then glanced at Talon, who was staring at me as if trying to gauge something. It was Talon who finally spoke, which surprised me.
“I’ve got some contacts down south, we’re watchin’ to see what Lara does with the threat I called in. More importantly, we’re watchin’ to see if anythin’ happens to him. I’ve got some back channels to the state attorney’s office and we’re hopin’ to find out who he thinks is behind this. We’re gonna give this a few days to pan out, see what surfaces.”
Jesus. “What back channels?”
“None that you need to worry about.”
Fuck. “Don’t you think the fewer people involved, the better?”
“Don’t you think you should tell Blaze what happened to the sixty-foot Princess Flybridge?”
Wait. What? “My father’s boat?”
“Ain’t talking about my yacht,” he bit out sarcastically.
I glanced at Buck but he was staring at his folded hands on the table like he was deep in thought. “I sold it.” What did that have to do with this?
Talon smirked. “And his Maserati? Expensive toys for a congressman, don’t you think?”
“He was a lawyer first, and a good one,” I snapped.
Talon crossed h
is arms, ignoring me. “How much is the Miami house worth? He didn’t make that kinda dough as a government employee.”
I glared at Talon. “You got something to say?”
“Yeah, wake the fuck up. Your father was—”
Buck slammed a fist on the table. “Enough.”
Talon didn’t even flinch. He just eyed me like he hated me.
Buck gave Talon an angry stare. “She doesn’t know anything.”
I didn’t owe Talon an explanation. This was none of his business but clearly he thought something underhanded was up, and I wasn’t going to let him talk shit about my father. “I sold his cars and the boat after he died. The estate lawyer said I had to. He said I had to pay taxes.”
“Yeah,” Talon scoffed. “I’ll bet.”
I lost my patience. “What the fuck does that mean?” I asked at the same time Buck yelled, “Talon!”
“It means that dear ole dad wasn’t who you thought he was.” Talon pushed back in his chair and stood. “And Deer Hunter here thinks he’s protectin’ you.”
I lashed out at Talon. “He is protecting me, unlike you.”
“Keep tellin’ yourself that. But when the bullets start flyin’, don’t come lookin’ to me for help.” Talon started to walk away.
I pinned Buck with a look. “Tell me,” I demanded.
Buck stood and turned his back to me. His shoulders lifted with an inhale then sunk. “Talon, wait,” he called quietly.
Almost to the hallway, Talon paused. “I’m not doin’ this shit with one hand tied behind my back,” he warned.
“I know.”
“Then tell her.”
Anxiety seized my lungs. “Tell me what?” My eyes swung between them.
Buck turned and met my desperate gaze. “Your father was dirty.”
Chapter Eleven
“You’re wrong.” He had to be wrong.
“He was doin’ favors for kickbacks,” Talon said solemnly.
“Bribes,” Buck corrected.
I pushed away from the table. “No.” My father was honorable, he was not a criminal.
Talon’s hands went to his hips. “He was greasin’ wheels, makin’ deals behind the scenes, but shit got complicated.”
No way, my father wouldn’t do that. “You’re lying.”
“Layna.” Buck took a step toward me.
Talon kept going. “We think he was takin’ the money but not keepin’ his end of the bargain.”
I stood up abruptly and my chair toppled over. “You’re wrong.” But even as I said the words, details began to tick into place. My parents’ expensive lifestyle, my private school tuition, the money my mother had spent remodeling the house, the vacations, all of it fell together like dominoes.
“He’s not,” Buck said sympathetically.
I grasped at straws. “He made a lot of money as a lawyer.”
Talon snorted. “Not that much.”
“Why do you think you’re still alive?” Buck asked with quiet resignation.
My legs began to shake. “I told you, I—”
Buck stepped closer. “Why do you think he’s been trying to marry you off?”
“You know about that?” I asked, shocked.
Buck continued as if I hadn’t asked a question. “They’re biding their time.”
I swallowed. “For what?”
“Your trust fund to mature.”
I forced my lungs to take in air. “Then what?” I asked stupidly.
“Then they take it.”
The tremor started in my knees and spread up. “All this for two million? That’s pocket change to someone like Miami.”
“Oh, come on!” Talon accused angrily. “Don’t pull that naïve bullshit with us.”
Buck stared at me. “There’s more than that.”
Talon glanced at Buck like he was crazy then looked pointedly at me. “A lot more.”
“What are you talking about? I know how much is in the trust.”
Talon walked out of the kitchen and returned a few seconds later. He slapped a piece of paper on the table. “Go ahead, lie your way outta that.”
I looked down at the paper. Across the top was the name of a Canadian bank then underneath was an address in Austria. I skimmed down then I stopped breathing.
There was an eighteen. With six zeros after it. “This...this isn’t mine,” I whispered.
Talon pointed. “You, Jennifer Nicole Dellis, social security number five-nine—”
“Stop.” I stared. My name, my birth date and my social security number were all there. Right next to the account number. And the zeros. All the zeros.
“Dear ole dad didn’t let you in on the family business?” Talon asked bitterly. “You got that much dough, why don’t you go hire a fuckin’ security firm to do your dirty work? Whatdaya need us for?”
“Ease off,” Buck warned, but there was no threat in his voice. “Layna, you didn’t know about any of this?”
I shook my head, suddenly feeling too dizzy to stand.
Buck grasped my arm. “I know a decent security firm you can go to.”
My stomach bottomed out but I got it. I knew what he was saying. This was too big. I didn’t know how to access that account and I no longer trusted Westcott, but I’d figure it out, somehow. I twisted away and nodded.
“You can have round-the-clock security and the owner of the firm has ties to the police. I’m sure he can help you,” Buck added.
It felt like my world was crashing in on me. “Fine.” I just wanted to get out of here, get away from Talon and from Buck’s brush-off. “I’ll get my things.”
I took one step and Buck stopped me. “Hey.” He tipped my chin up, forcing me to look at him. “I didn’t say I wanted out. I’m offering you a choice.”
“I get it. This is too much for you and Talon.”
Talon scoffed, loudly.
“I made you a promise,” Buck said simply.
“But that was before...” I waved my hand at the paper.
“Your choice. We’re still in if you want.”
Talon dropped his head back and muttered, “Jesus H Christ.”
“I can’t do this to you.”
“You didn’t do anything. I’m offering.”
If I didn’t know better, I’d swear Buck wanted to do this. And if I was being honest, the relief that surged through me when he said he was still in was huge. I didn’t want to go to anyone else. I selfishly wanted Buck. I wanted him and despite all his alpha jerking me around bullshit, I trusted him. I hadn’t trusted anyone in three years. “Okay.”
Talon cursed and Buck nodded.
I glanced at the paper again. “How did you find this?”
“Not important,” Talon answered curtly.
I stared up at Buck so he would know I was telling the truth. “I didn’t know, I swear. The lawyer, my father’s lawyer, he said the trust had a couple million, he even showed me the paperwork. He said he’d turn everything over when I turned twenty.”
Talon turned the paper to face him. “Lawrence Westcott? That the lawyer?”
I spared Talon a glance. “Yes.”
He spun the paper back toward me. “Read the fine print.”
I looked back down and scanned where Talon pointed. It was all in bank legalese but I understood enough to get the picture. It was a custodial account and until I was twenty, Westcott was the consignee. And the benefactor, should something happen to me.
Everything came crashing together. That’s why they kept following me. That’s why I was still alive. That’s why Shorty had been getting closer. They were waiting till I turned twenty. Then, one way or another, they were going to get back the money my dad took and kill me. Matthew Barrett was never safe. I wasn’t safe. No one was safe.
“They’re going to kill Barrett,” I said, swimming through a sea of shock.
“Who’s Barrett?” Talon asked.
“The lawyer, my lawyer. The one with my story. He’s not safe. I was never safe. They were wa
iting. And the state attorney? They’re gonna kill him too.” We were all dead.
“There’s always that possibility,” Talon stated without emotion.
Buck glared at Talon. “Stop scaring her.”
Talon threw up his hands. “I’m just statin’ facts. Besides, if Lara goes belly up, we got a trail to follow straight to Miami.”
I tried to keep it reined in but panic choked my throat. “He’s gotten away with two murders in broad daylight! Not even the police can find him. What makes you think he won’t get away again?”
“You think I play by the same rules as law enforcement?” Talon asked. Except it wasn’t a question, it was a threat.
“Clearly not!” I picked up the paper and slapped it against Talon’s chest. “Because where would you have gotten this?”
Buck placed his hand on my back. “Layna, he was just...”
I spun around and everything I was trying to hold in broke free. “You knew and you didn’t tell me! You pretended like it was nothing. This isn’t nothing.” I choked on a sob. “This is not nothing.”
Buck pulled me into his arms.
Maybe it was his scent, maybe it was just him or maybe it was because I hit a wall, but suddenly, my panic and guilt and fear turned into background noise.
“We wanted to make sure we were on the right track before we told you. I didn’t want to upset you if we were wrong.”
“But you’re not wrong.” It wasn’t a question.
“No,” he said sadly.
I looked at Talon. “Why are you doing this?”
“Because Blaze asked me to.” Except neither his tone nor his expression said he was happy about it.
Resigned, I nodded. “So what happens if Miami lays low?”
“He won’t,” Buck assured.
“We took what’s his,” Talon said with dead seriousness. “He’s gonna come after it.”
Buck wrapped his hand around the back of my neck. “I promise, nothing will happen to you.”
No one could make me that promise. I knew that now. “What happens if we find out who Miami is? What’s the plan?”
“Not if, when,” Talon corrected.
I took a deep breath. “Okay, when.”
Buck glanced at Talon and gave his head the slightest of shakes.
“Don’t worry your pretty little self about it.” Talon smiled but nothing about his smile was friendly or reassuring.