Page 76 of Kyle
"I adore you."
"Yeah, yeah. Show me."
He did, tenderly, poignantly and had the tears burning the back of her eyes.
*****
"What did you say to her for her to agree to the meet?"
Kyle's smile was cold and fierce. "I reminded her what refusing me could do to her. You did not have to come with me."
"Oh, yes, I did. I'm assuming you did not tell my sister where you're headed?"
"She was the one who originally put the idea in my head a few days ago while she was in the hospital." He glanced over at his brother-in-law as he made the turn towards the apartment building. "I don't want to do anything to upset her. She's home, enjoying the time with Declan. And fighting my decision in hiring a nanny. I am refusing to budge on that."
Matthew grinned and stretched his legs out. "You're both well matched, stubborn as mules."
"Here we are."
"Fancy digs."
"I bought it for her." Kyle said emotionlessly.
Matthew glanced over as he parked. "I take it her residency is now being revoked?"
"Among other things. She said she would be by the pool. She paid someone to kill my wife and is now sunning herself by the pool."
"Life goes on."
"Not for her."
He strode around the side of the building where the trellis climbed the weathered brick building to where Carly lounged by the pool. Her red bikini covered next to nothing, and her smile was flirtatious as she took in the two men.
"Not one, but two handsome men. My lucky day. I could ring for some iced tea--"
"We're not staying, and neither are you." Pulling up a chair, Kyle faced her, expression icy cold.
A frisson of fear crossed her lovely face. "I hope you don't believe that dreadful man about me hiring him--"
"Shut the hell up and listen."
Her eyes darted to Matthew, who leaned against a towering palm tree with his hands tucked into the pockets of his jeans, his expression gave nothing away. "We all know you instigated the entire thing. No, you don't get to speak." He jerked his head at the silent Matthew. "He's here to ensure I stick to the letter of the law, when all I want to do is put my hands around your neck and squeeze until there's no life left."
"He's threatening me."
"Is he?" Matthew asked mildly. "The man is simply having a conversation."
"You're going to leave the country--"
"You can't--"
"You're going to leave the country, not the state, the country. Go to Europe, the islands, or Timbuktu, I don't give a shit. And you will do so tonight. I will give you time to pack your shit and get the hell out of the country. If not, If I happen to pass by here and see you still in residence, I will set up a press conference and talk about the actress who was dumped and ordered a hit. I will talk to your agent, the director, producer of the series you're in and threaten to blackball them." He turned his head to look at Matthew. "Do I have the power to do something like that?"
"He does. And if he needs added support, the entire Ryder and McCreary family will stand by him. You messed with my sister, bitch, you messed with all of us."
"I didn't--"
"Shut the hell up. You might have evaded a prison sentence, but you're on our radar. I will not only destroy your career, but I'll also fix it that you never do even a soap commercial again. Take my word. It's a promise."
