AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Sullivan mutters to himself a complaint about the lack ofrealsugar and milk. After Harley throws one last glare at his unthankful ass, he returns his attention to Ty.
Ty has taken advantage and during this distraction, which Sullivan has so graciously provided, he looks around the office. He returns his attention to the desk, where a notebook is open flat beneath Harley’s clasped hands.
He spots there the information Harley has just relayed to him. On the next page is Rian’s name. He frowns as he spots additional dates, and several initials he doesn’t recognize.
Harley doesn’t seem to notice his wandering eyes, and continues his instruction, “Once Mr. B has confirmation the job is done, he will give you the next location where you can collect your payment.”
Ty is the one to urge him to elaborate and confirm this time. “As we agreed?”
“Yes. Three passports, fifty thousand dollars in cash, ten thousand in pre-paid travel cards, two adult plane tickets from Boston to Alabama, and four sets of train and bus bookings under both of your names, going in different directions. One car in Boston with credentials stashed in the glove compartment from the business publication WESTERN ENDEAVOR. The burner phone will be in the fake bottom of the middle console. My associates have provided you with additional coordinates marked on a map. Safe houses under my protection you can stop and rest within a radius of one hundred miles from Boston, on your way to…”
He waves his hand suggestively, as if inviting Ty to disclose his final destination, but that wasn’t going to happen.
Nice try.
“That’ll do,” Ty says flatly. The awkward silence between them drags for a long moment. Sullivan muttering to himself and furiously stirring tablets of sweetener in his black coffee breaks down some of the intensity of their staring match.
“I know you don’t believe me, but I could help you. I could protect you and your…friend. No one will ever be able to find you. You’ll be safe, as long as you’re under my protection.”
Under his protection and in his employment, is more like it.
Ty smirks. This guy really wants to take him for a ride. “You’re right – I don’t believe you.”
Surely Harley has done his homework. He must know whose husband Rian is. Ty hears him loud and clear – what Harley is really offering is permanent employment. One Ty would leave only when he proved to be useless, and Harley killed him for wasting his time and resources.
Harley is blatantly trying to convince Ty, that working for him is the only way. Harley will keep a close eye on Rian and his son, making sure Ty sank deeper into the shit without complaining. Tayida means it though – this is a one-off arrangement. Tayida cares nothing for money, and he will never trust anyone else with Rian’s safety.
Harley sighs and starts rummaging through his drawers, looking for something.
He mutters without making eye contact, “A man with your set of skills, would be a great addition to my organization.” He glances at Ty, but there is nothing Harley could say, that would change his mind. Harley studies his face carefully, and when Ty doesn’t budge, he sighs and winks. “The offer is on the table, should your circumstances change. Mr. B will find a way to stay in touch.”
Ty doesn’t dignify this last bid to be corralled into Harley’s shady operation with an answer.
Sullivan was right, he’s thinking to himself. This was a mistake. A big fucking dumpster fire waiting to blow up in his face. But he’ll be damned if he allows this bastard to turn him into one of his goons. Once the job is completed, he never wants to see Harley again.
Harley finds the folder he’s been digging for and slides it over to Ty.
Ty frowns but his curiosity wins over, and he opens it. There are so many photos of Rian and Bran in there. He lurches forward and feverishly shuffles them one after the other. He’s drinking in every bit of the image of the love of his life and his son. Rian is beautiful.
Rian. Rian. Rian.
My siren.
My love.
Parenthood suits him to perfection, as he obviously loves his little boy to death. In the photograph Ty’s holding, their foreheads are touching. Rian and Bran are grinning at each other.
Ours. Mine and yours.
The little one is a ray of sunshine and his bright smile tugs at Ty’s heart immediately. He has almost gone through all the images until he reaches for the last few photographs and his whole body suddenly burns with anger.
It’s a paparazzi-style shot, taken from far away, through one of the windows of the home he assumes Rian shares with Harris. In it, Harris can be seen dragging Rian by the hair, pulling him across the floor like an animal. Ty jumps out of his seat, grabs the chair Sullivan has recently vacated, and smashes it into the wall screaming in frustration, “Son of a bitch! That motherfucker will pay! Fuck!”
What the hell is he even doing? He’s been completely delusional, rotting here, wasting time, while Rian is being abused in the most unimaginable ways. This monster has put his hands on him!
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!
Ty closes his eyes, and runs a trembling hand through his hair, trying to get his breathing under control and his anger in check. Right now, he is so fucking close to strangling Harley. He looks back to Harley, who for the first time tonight seems startled. “When?”
