Page 26 of For Always
“No,” Tyler said. “I’ve made my decision. Now, you come up with a price so I can pay it and get you off my property.”
“Gladly!” Jagger yelled. “I never wanted to come back to this stinking place anyway! And if they hadn’t gone and gotten themselves killed—”
He moved so fast Gabriella thought she was watching a movie. Tyler’s legs came up and he slid across the table, landing on the other side and taking a swing at Jagger all in one smooth stuntman-looking move. The punch connected with Jagger’s jaw and a loud crack echoed throughout the room. Jagger stumbled back and then took a swing in retaliation, but Tyler was once again faster. He blocked Jagger’s punch and landed another one in his brother’s gut. When Jagger bent forward in pain, Tyler punched him again on the other jaw. Then he pushed Jagger back into the chair that Clyde had vacated.
“I want your offer first thing tomorrow morning and then I want you and Brooke off my land by noon. Do I make myself clear?”
Gabriella’s heart was beating wildly, her legs shaking as she stood there watching this all unfold. If Jagger was going to have a smart comeback or attempt to hit Tyler again, everyone in that room knew how this was going to end. Jagger would be carted off to the hospital.
“Fine,” Jagger said through a bottom lip that was bleeding and already starting to swell.
“Sorry,” Tyler said in a huff as he turned away from his brother and pushed past Clyde and Dessie.
He didn’t even look at Gabriella. Which was fine. She wasn’t a part of this.
She began packing her stuff as quickly as she could, ignoring the sound of Jagger cursing as Dessie tried to help him.
“Come on into the kitchen to get some ice. You two boys always used to play so rough when you were little,” Dessie was saying.
“I don’t think Tyler was playing this time, Dessie,” Clyde said as he pulled out his phone and stared down at it. “Jagger, you and I can meet in my office in two hours to talk about what you want to offer. I’ll prepare the agreement and have it ready for you and Tyler to sign in the morning.”
“He needs to lay down and get some painkillers in him, Clyde,” Dessie continued.
“No, I think he needs to take care of his business and get out of his brother’s way. They’re too old and too big for roughhousing now. This is serious. And before I have to bury any of my friend’s kinfolk, I’d like to do what I can to keep the peace.”
Clyde moved to the other side of the table after speaking and then came down until he stopped near Gabriella.
“I’ll need a copy of your proposal and budget for the redesign and decorating to submit to the estate. Congratulations,” he said and then touched a hand gently to her shoulder. “I believe you’ll do a great job here.”
Gabriella smiled, even though she wanted to say there was no way she was working at this emotionally dysfunctional ranch. None at all. These people were crazy. They were volatile and, they were family, she thought finally. She had to grin as she slipped her laptop into her bag. How many times had she watched Renny and Rico fight? Or Alex and Renny? Renny always seemed to be involved in the fighting for some reason.
Jagger grumbled as Dessie continued trying to help him out of the room, leaving Gabriella alone. She sat heavily in the chair and closed her eyes.
She got the job!
She was going to re-design the Westwind Ranch and Resort.
A part of her wanted to jump up and do a happy dance. Another part said a silent prayer that she could do a good job.
“Sorry about that.”
Gabriella jumped at the sound of his voice.
He was walking towards her, his black slacks and navy blue shirt making his hair and eyes appear darker. The beard—which she normally didn’t like—was very sexy on him and Gabriella sat up straighter in the chair and cleared her throat.
“About giving me the job?” she asked jokingly.
Tyler stopped right beside her. He leaned back against the table and stared down at her with a smile.
“About trying to beat my brother’s ass in front of you,” he said. “It was unprofessional and probably unbrotherly, or something like that.”
“It’s okay,” she said. “It’s not the first time I’ve witnessed brothers fight.”
“Yeah, but it’s the first time I busted my adult brother’s lip. My mother would be very upset about that.”
“And because you’re such a good guy, you’re upset about it too,” she told him before standing again. “It’s over. Give him a few hours and Jagger will be saying that too. That’s what brothers do.”
Tyler shook his head. He reached out and grabbed her wrists before she could move away.
