“Nick’s great-great-grandparents built this place. But now his mom is the only one left other than the caretakers and ranch hands who live here,” Ethan states.
Greek Revival architecture is something I’ve only seen in a book. I knew these houses existed in the south, but we sure as hell don’t have anything this nice in Whiskey Rivers.
The house sits about a quarter mile back from the road with a white wooden fence lining the perimeter. Beautiful horses of all different colors graze on the luscious green grass on both sides of the driveway. Some are even lying down and napping in the sun.
I pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming and will be staying here. This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen in my life.
“What happened to his father?” I ask, hoping I’m not overstepping here. Nerves hit me like a ton of bricks. I don’t belong in a place like this.
“Passed away two years ago in a farming accident. Don’t worry though, you’re safe here. Everyone knows you’re coming and is under orders to make you feel at home.” He gives me a soft smile.
A flock of chickens scatter as we pull up the stamped concrete circle driveway. “Home sweet home,” he says with excitement, jumping out of the car.
My room is on the second floor. I have to climb a huge hardwood grand staircase to get up here. With every step, I’m thankful the only thing I have to carry is the small duffle bag of clothes Emma gave me. I’m still weak from my secondary drowning incident.
In the middle of my room is a huge four-poster bed, similar to the one I slept in at the beach house. The fluffy stark white linens are fit for a king. I’m positive this comforter is down too.
Nick must like keeping things the same. I wonder what it was like for him to grow up here. From the rich wooden floors to the farmhouse décor, it has such a warm, homey feel. Unlike Nick’s cold, sharp personality. But damn if he isn’t devastatingly good looking. My spine tingles at the thought.
I’m curious about what kind of work he is going to force me to do. I whisper a quiet prayer that whatever it is involves staying right here on this farm.
Ethan comes in and plops down on the bed. “I’m going to stay here with you for a few days and make sure you get settled in alright.” He stretches, fanning his arms out on the bed. “I have my own room that’s just down the hall. If you decide you want to have a slumber party, there’s a home movie theater downstairs. I’m down for face masks and fluffy pajamas, just don’t ask me to paint my nails.” He laughs.
I can’t help but crack a smile. Maybe being kidnapped won’t be so bad.
Chapter 8
Nick
“Ggggluurrbbbb… I… Blrrrruubbb… Wait…” The man whose head I’m intermittently holding under water—and only dragging up for small gasps of air—begs for mercy. This idiot is wasting his breath—literally.
My patience is running extra thin today. This is what happens when you lie to me. You get your mouth washed out with soapy water in the supply closet.
First Emma scolded me in front of the girl. Then the girl herself tried to assert some sort of dominance by refusing to accept my offer of employment. It was kind of cute actually. I chuckle to myself. Like she has so many other appealing offers.
I’m now down my right-hand man since I sent Ethan to babysit her. I gave him strict orders that he is by no means allowed to try and fuck her or even touch her. She’s off limits.
She will stay, work off her debt, and hopefully, when it’s all said and done, her mental state will be in good enough shape to carry on a life of her own—somewhere else.
But what about the other debts she talked about the morning after I saved her from the river? I still need to find out who her father was indebted to, especially now that she’s staying in my family’s home.
Am I really better than anyone else who wants to use her for repayment? I might be the asshole holding her hostage, but she is in a much better and safer environment where her needs will be met. So yes, I am better than anyone else who wants to use her for payment.
I might not be a good guy, but for some damn reason, I can’t hurt her and won’t let anyone else hurt her either.
I reach in my pocket to pull out my phone, becoming aware of the now unmoving corpse whose head I’m still holding underwater. Oops. I was going to kill him, just not that quickly.
Lucky bastard.
I send Ethan a text letting him know he has a golden opportunity to make good use of his time by getting any and all information out of her. I toss the corpse aside and send another message to the cleanup crew while heading to the dock where Vade is waiting for me with a shipment of guns.
“I checked all the boxes, and all inventory is accounted for. Diaz also sent a small shipment of bombs too. I think those need to stay in our personal stash and not be added to any orders.” Vade admires the cylindrical tube in his hand.
“Thinking of blowing up the casino and cashing in on the insurance money?” I tease.
“Not on your life. Unless you want all our funds funneled in your family’s horse racing legacy, I suggest we leave these bricks standing.” Vade signs off on the shipment and hands the clipboard to the delivery guy who will load the boxes in the warehouse.
He’s right. We need more than one business to funnel the kind of money we bring in. This shipment alone will net over half a million dollars each. We only have a handful of employees to pay out and are looking to profit eighty percent of the final cut.
