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“Listen to me, Paris. I know what it feels like to think you’re not worthy of happiness. Because I didn’t believe I could have children, I almost walked away from Shane and Corey. Don’t make that mistake. Look how happy I am. You can be, too, with Dustin and Mick. I’m sure of it. You three belong together.”
Looking through her car’s back window at the tops of TBK’s and O’Leary Global’s headquarters, Paris felt her heart seize in her chest. She wasn’t just leaving Destiny. She was leaving Dustin and Mick, and this time forever.
Was her friend right? Was she making the biggest mistake of her life?
“I’m confused about all of this, Belle. The drive to Wilde will take me about ten hours. It will give me time to think and clear my head.”
“Don’t take the job, Paris. Please reconsider.”
“I’m just going to check it out, but I will call you before I decide on anything.”
“As long as you promise me you will call. I don’t need the stress of worrying about you at seven months pregnant.”
Paris laughed. “So you’re throwing in the old manipulation card, are you?”
“Is it going to work?”
“Yes, I promise.”
They said good-bye to one another and Paris focused on the drive, her mind swirling. Would the ten-hour drive be enough time to sort it all out? She just didn’t know.
* * * *
Barkley loved how the Mercedes handled. He still couldn’t believe Trollinger had signed the title over to him. The newest car he’d ever owned before prison had been a ten-year-old clunker. I love that bitch. So much like me, but she is loaded. He intended to get his hands on more of it. The best way to do that was to keep her happy.
He was following the fucking quack north on Highway F. The doctor turned his fancy wheels off t
he road and onto a private drive.
Barkley drove past, realizing it wouldn’t be smart to follow him. The posted sign read “The Steele Ranch.” About a mile up the road, he pulled over. The Glock was in the seat next to him.
The cell Trollinger had given him buzzed.
“Hello, Cindy,” he said in the tone that always impressed the ladies.
“Barkley, my team just intercepted an e-mail that I think you will find interesting.”
“To the doctor?”
“No, to his woman. She’s headed to Wilde, Nevada.”
“Then so am I.” He pulled his car around, heading south. He wanted to stop by the hotel before the trip a have a shower. There was no rush. He’d waited this long for revenge. A little longer would make it all the sweeter.
As he passed the drive that the fucker had turned onto to, he rolled down his window and waved the bird. “You’re about to pay, asshole. A life for a life.”
* * * *
Dustin pulled his car next to Mick’s truck. He got out and saw his brother coming out of the barn with two horses.
“You remember Legend.” Mick handed him the reins of the brown quarter horse. “He’s your ride to the new airport site.”
Dustin petted Legend. “It’s been a long time since I rode, bro.”
“You and I grew up in Destiny, Dustin. It’s like riding a bike.”
“A bike with four legs.”
“Exactly how long has it been since you’ve been in the saddle, bro?” Mick was riding his horse next to him.
