“I believe we took care of your business when you spent time in prison for arson,” Garrett said, appearing relaxed.
Kenny chuckled. “I believe you have my property. She has the prettiest blue eyes and blonde hair you’ve ever seen.”
Garrett’s jaw ticked with anger as he stared Kenny down. “Leave her alone, Kenny. It’s not her fault my mom has bad taste in men.”
“Me and little Riley struck up a deal. She hasn’t comethrough on her end, and I’m thinking she’s found the grass greener on the other side.”
Everything in Garrett stiffened. Did Riley set him up? “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m warning you one time, stay away from Riley and Tara. If you step foot on the Haven Ranch, they’ll kick your ass from here until next Sunday.”
“Riley promised she’d get close to you. I didn’t think she’d manage to do it this fast. They play a good game of charity cases,” Kenny said, letting his remark dangle.
Garrett set the bag on the truck as his nostrils flared, keeping him from tearing Kenny apart. The world might be a better place without him. He yanked Kenny closer to him by his shirt. “I won’t tell you again. Leave Riley out of this,” he growled.
Kenny threw his head back and laughed as the two men joined him. “She must’ve crawled underneath your skin. Riley’s got one hell of a body on her. Tara’s a bit too young for me, but she’s growing up into a beauty.”
Garrett snarled. “Do you want me to end you right here? Tara’s underage. You don’t know shit.”
“Did Riley play the poor innocent victim game? She did it all the time with customers at the bar. They bought her all kinds of things. Did you see the turquoise necklace one of the cowboys gave her? It’s something else. I wonder what she did to earn it.”
Garrett saw red. “Shut up, Kenny. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll walk away.”
“I want my woman back. She agreed to get close to you to learn about the money you owe your mother. It seems she found a sweeter deal with you and plans to take for herself,” Kenny surmised. “Let me see if I can guess what game she played.” He tapped his finger to his chin. “You like to protectwomen. You’re her perfect mark. Did she play the damsel in distress? I believe she mentioned something about making you believe you hit her with your truck. I guess the goose egg on her head for mouthing off came in handy.”
A dark cloud began to overtake his brain as he imagined sweet Riley in cahoots with Kenny. No. It’s impossible.
“You broke her arm. When I found her, you held her prisoner in a room with no windows or doors. A padlock kept her from escaping,” Garrett said, “Is it the only way you can keep a woman these days? You have to kidnap them?”
“It made you believe it, didn’t it?” Kenny hissed. “What kind of woman works in a biker bar without picking up a few tricks of the trade? Her kid sister ran to my bar for protection when her drunk father came searching for her. We offered her some protection if she did us one favor. It’s time for Riley to come home now.”
“You’re not putting your grubby paws on her or her sister,” Garrett promised.
“You mean sweet little Tara? She’s a character. I can’t believe you fell for her crocodile tears when she drove Stitch’s car to the old farmhouse. Then again, she does whatever Riley tells her.”
Doubt started to simmer in the back of his mind. Everything Kenny said carried a ring of truth. “Where’s my mother?”
“She’s hanging out with the club whores. She told Riley exactly what kind of woman you like. Bernice feels a bit slighted about her inheritance. I’m sure we can come to an arrangement. You tell Riley to come home. We can work out the money between us men.”
“We’re not working out shit,” Garrett gritted out. “Tell my mother to go to hell.”
Kenny laughed, getting on Garrett’s nerves. The twomen took a step closer. His hands curled into fists as he prepared to take his fury out on Kenny and his men. He should’ve known better than to believe how perfect everything seemed between them. His mind raced as he recalled how she told him the story about her mother when she hinted at the hat. No. She insisted he not buy it. But didn’t that make him more determined to get it for her?
What about Tara? The kid seemed like a genius. Did they play him for the new laptop? He recalled Tara smiling from ear to ear, glancing at Riley. Now the memory seemed skewed. Did they have a secret pact?
Garett bit the inside of his cheek, bringing him back to reality. Riley sucker punched him in the heart, and his chest struggled to breathe.
“Hey, brother,” Julio’s voice broke through his mist of failed relationships. “Did you need some help?”
Matthew and Julio stood behind Kenny’s henchmen, showing a united front.
“No. They’re leaving,” he said, sending a snarl in Kenny’s direction.
“Come on, boys,” Kenny said, glancing over his shoulder. “It appears we need to prepare for a homecoming.” He sent a sly smile Garrett’s way before hitting his shoulder as he walked past.
Julio’s eyebrows knitted together in concern. “You doing all right?”
“Yeah. Why did you come to town? Aren’t you picking up Tara?” Garrett asked, tugging on his beard.
“Megan dropped her stuffed animal when they picked up some groceries,” Julio explained. “Matthew brought Mac to the doctor’s office to check his prosthesis. He fell harder than we thought. I’m on my way to pick up Rebecca and thegirls. We saw you having words and thought you might need some help.”
