She pivoted to walk away and Keeley couldn’t shake the sixth sense that there was more to it. Furthermore, in her wake, Ms. Jones left some sort of threat dangling.
Question was, would Keeley take the carrot?
She watched the woman, who caused all sorts of odd reactions in her, leave and wondered just what the hell that was about. No way did that crazy bitch make a point of finding Keeley for such an inconsequential conversation. She was missing a clue, replaying not just the sound bites but the cinematography that’d transpired a few short minutes ago. For the life of her, Keeley couldn’t find the missing link and drew the conclusion she imagined it.
Braxton stood under an awning that proved to be significant cover. Ms. Jones did a fantastic job of planting the seed. He planned on watering it at the legitimate sex club. The little lovely with the perfect ass would soon belong solely to him. Her master would be dealt with that evening, and he’d make sure they were tossed out of E Strand’s club within the next couple of hours. No one stood in his way. Ever. And the fact was, he wanted that girl spread wide and begging for mercy when he fucked her every which way known to man, before the ultimate high of taking her life. Braxton whistled as he walked down the street. They all screamed and pleaded for compassion when he took what they weren’t willing to give. And that was actually what made them disposable. Yes, he still needed to take care of the slut from the night before. Ms. Jones better come through. He might not prefer women closer to his age but would make an allowance for her.
A very violent exception indeed.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Tar watched as Chase exited the state issued, black Lincoln Continental. His brother was climbing toward the U.S. Senate. Only matter of time. Made it difficult during elections to turn on the TV. Seeing his former fiancée now married to the man who stole her away when he was putting his fucking life on the line for his country, still royally pissed him off. After five years, it rubbed him raw like a wound that refused to heal. Though it wasn’t quite as intense since Keeley entered his life, he noted making his way toward Chase. “No sense in being cordial. This isn’t a social call,” Tar opened.
“Duly noted.” Chase motioned toward a park bench away from the walking path. “You want Keeley off of this investigation,” he offered once they were out of earshot of anyone lingering nearby.
“Hell, yes, I do,” Tar growled.
“I’m not sure it’s possible,” Chase cautioned.
“Make it so,” the demand came through a clenched jaw.
“And in return?”
There it was. A pound of his flesh required to save Keeley’s. “I’ll come back.” Fuck, how he wished there were another way, but Tar knew it was what they wanted. He might hate it, didn’t agree with the politics behind it, yet it seemed the least of two evils. Besides, taking down the truly malevolent was something he actually enjoyed, but he knew what it meant. No future with Keeley.
“You really think you can just walk away from true love?” Chase’s brow was quirked in a how-stupid-are-you expression.
Hell no. But really what choice was there. Yet something about his brother’s demeanor drew a different question, “Is that what happened to you?”
Chase turned away, trying his damnedest to fight the tears that threatened, but he wanted his brother back more than anything. To hell with pride. “I never meant to steal her away from you.”
“Yeah, you’ve said that before.”
“And I’ll keep saying it until you believe me.” Chase clasped Tar’s shoulder. “We’re blood. With mom and dad gone, we’re all we have.” His voice cracked with emotion.
“Not true, brother. You have a wife and a son. I’m the one without,” Tar affirmed.
“No,” Chase responded firmly, “you have Keeley.”
“For a little while, until I’m forced to leave her.”
“I won’t let you do this. You of all people deserve happiness.”
That got Tar’s attention more than anything. He turned to face his brother eye to eye. “Help me understand,” he implored.
“God Tar, Lisa and I never meant for any of it to happen. You were a SEAL and the constant secrecy was wearing on her.” Tar started to interrupt but Chase stilled him with, “Hear me out.” Tar nodded. “See, she always harbored this fear you’d be killed and they would withhold the how’s and why’s from her. So what began as a friendship, someone for her to vent to, became more. But I swear that was never our intention.”
Puzzled over the damn letter, Tar asked, “You thought it was best to tell me in a letter that you fucked my future wife rather than tell me to my face?” Completely dumbfounded by that logic.