Page 37
“A group?” frowned Lawrence. “Did they harm you?”
“No. But they could have. They said they’re a part of a larger group of men. Shadow Warriors.” Dustin and Lawrence both startled, sitting back in their seats, their drinks spilling on the fine Persian carpet.
Missy looked from one man to another and then at the drops of alcohol on her precious carpet.
“What? Why does that matter? So, they’re part of a group of men. Big deal.”
“It is a big deal,” said Lawrence. “A very big deal and I don’t need them poking their noses into my businesses. Give me my money.”
“We don’t have it,” said Carter.
“Shut up!” yelled Missy.
“We don’t have it, Missy. Don’t lie to him. We can’t even sell the house now that she’s claimed everything. It belongs to her. All of this belongs to her. If we sell something, the money is hers.” Missy’s face pinched into a hate-filled expression for her own daughter. She stared at Lawrence, then Dustin.
“Don’t look at me,” said Dustin. “I’m with Lawrence. You fuck with these men and they’ll make you disappear Missy.”
“I’m calling our attorney and the district attorney,” she said in a huff.
“You do and they’ll laugh you out of the city,” said Lawrence. “They’ll know that what you’re doing is illegal.”
“How would they know that? We’re just concerned for our daughter,” she said defying them.
“It’s your funeral. I’m not going to be a part of it. These men are on the side of the law and the side of what’s right. They already know that the five bodies in the cannery belonged to this household. That alone puts you on their radar and they never ignore the radar,” said Lawrence.
“You seem to know a great deal about these men,” she smirked. “Are you afraid?” Lawrence threw the glass into the fire mostly for dramatic effect. He stood with his fists clenched and for the first time, Carter saw fear in his wife’s eyes.
“You’re damn right I am. I’m afraid because I have enough common sense to know that if I step in front of these men, if I stop them from protecting Aurora and this man, Jethro, I’ll be dead by next week and everything I own will be gone. Everything.” He walked toward the door gripping the handle. “I want my money. You have forty-eight hours to figure out how to get it. I don’t give a shit if you have to sell your body, although I doubt that will bring much.”
He stormed out, slamming the door so hard the glass rattled. Dustin stood from his seat and gently set the glass on the coffee table, ignoring the coaster provided to avoid water rings.
“You should listen to him. He’s giving you forty-eight hours. I’ll do the same. After that, I’ll send someone to collect your debt.” Dustin left and Missy just stared at Carter.
“Don’t you have anything to say?” she snapped.
“You heard them. They’re right. We need to declare bankruptcy, Missy. We have no alternative. Anything we have left that belongs to us, jewelry, watches, the remaining cars, all of it will be sold to pay our debts.”
She stood and paced the room back and forth. One hand was at her hip, the other rubbing her own temple. She stared out the front window at the meticulously manicured lawn and gardens. This had been her home for decades and she was not about to leave it now.
For Missy, the thought of others knowing her plight would be more humiliation than she could bear. She’d rather die than…
Slowly she turned to look at Carter who was still sipping his own cocktail, his hands shaking, his face pale. Walking toward the desk, she pulled out a drawer and folder, scanning its contents.
“What are you looking for? We took all the documents related to the trust and put them in the safe,” said Carter.
“Yes, dear. I know,” she said sweetly. “We have to stop arguing. You and I are all we have left. Aurora has deserted us and we need to get through this together.”
“We do,” he nodded. “I’m exhausted. I’m going to lie down for a while.”
“I’ll bring some tea,” she said with a sweet smile. Carter only nodded as he slowly took the stairs to his bedroom. They’d stopped sharing a room a decade ago.
Taking a seat in his leather chair, he pulled the wool afghan over his legs and stared at the small fire in his own room. Taking out his phone, he sent a quick text to their attorney asking about assets, sales, and other things. He also wanted to know how much they could get if they sold the businesses.
Before ending the contact, he asked two more questions, getting the answers he’d hoped for. He fired back a quick reply and ended the chat. Closing his eyes, he heard Missy set the cup of tea down beside him but didn’t bother to acknowledge her.
It would all be over with soon enough.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
