Page 58 of Unmasked Rivalry
When I arrive, I see him right away, leaning against the brick wall with his arms crossed. He’s wearing a suit, like he’s stopping off after work, like he isn’t a walking felony waiting to happen. His smile is too white, too practiced.
I approach him, and his grin only gets bigger. “You look tense, Callie. Loosen up.”
“I’m not in the mood for your bullshit tonight, Ralston,” I mutter. “Let’s get this over with.”
“Why so moody, Callie? I thought we were friends.”
“I want out,” I say, not bothering with this conversation a second longer. “I don’t want to work for you anymore, and I need to know what it will take for that to happen.”
His smile wavers, just a smidge. “I thought you knew better than anyone there is not getting out just because you want it.”
“Listen, buddy,” I say, stepping closer. “I know you were behind Harper’s death. I may never be able to prove it, but I’m not stupid. I also know it’s because she wanted to get away from you. I am asking you what it is you require for me to get out alive. A simple question, let’s not play games.”
He stares at me, and I want to swipe that smug expression right off his face.
“What if you’re what I want?”
“Don’t play with me, Ralston,” I hiss. “Just tell me what you want.”
He chuckles, unbothered by my mood. “The farm.”
I blink, shocked. I thought he would say money, maybe something with the club, but I didn’t expect him to say the farm.
“Excuse me?”
“If you want out, I want the farm, the land, and everything that comes with it.”
“Why? It’s a rundown old bucket of shit.”
“The house might be, my dear, but the land and the cattle your uncle bred are worth a lot. That line, it’s one I wouldn’t mind keeping.”
I make a mental note to do a little more research on the farm and the cattle because obviously, it is worth a little more than I first anticipated.
“What’s in it for me?”
He looks taken aback, and I realize that he was throwing out something he was certain I wouldn’t accept.
“Freedom.”
I shake my head, like I have done a million different deals in my life. “How stupid do you think I am? You want me to sign everything over and walk away with nothing other than the promise you will leave me the fuck alone?”
“You have your uncle’s money, what more do you want?”
“That’s his home,” I point out. “And so far, it has cost me those I love the most.”
“I’ll sell most of the cattle, keeping only the breeders to continue the line. You can take that money, plus what your uncle left you, and start again with my assurances that I will never contact you again.”
I pretend to ponder it because, in the end, he isn’t getting anything but dead.
“Not just never contact me again, never ever even look up my name again, or my family’s name, and any dealings you and your little boss have with the club, all end. Everyone walks free, not just me.”
His eyes narrow. “That’s a big ask.”
“Take the cows, I don’t want them. All I want is freedom, for everyone I love. That means the club, whether you like it or not.”
“The club has ties that run deep, surely you know that.”
“Then you’ll cut them, and everyone walks away.”
