Talon took a sip of his coffee, waited.
Figuring he wanted more details, I rambled on. “It won’t be difficult for me to delay her arrival this morning, which, according to her, will be the last straw.”
His dark eyebrows dipped low. “So they fire her and I hire her?”
“Yes.”
“To do what?”
“I don’t care.”
Talon continued to stare, so I decided to play my hand.
“I know a few things about you, too, Talon.”
He appeared amused. “Do you?”
I motioned toward the man standing near the wall. “I know you’ve got four sexual slaves you keep hidden away.”
“Seven,” Talon clarified. “I have seven. And to clarify, I prefer the term possessions. Your turn of phrase infers they were unwilling when they came to me.”
“Fine. Possessions. All of whom are men.”
“They are,” he confirmed, his smile returning. “And you believe, because I have seven male possessions at my beck and call, your sister will be safe with me?”
“She’s not exactly your type.”
Talon was now smirking. “Which only goes to show how little you actually do know about me.”
Because this was getting me nowhere, I worked to get us back on track.
“I know you’ve got a private island, Talon. A place where my sister can safely go until I make things right here.”
“So do Landon and Langston Moore.”
“They do, but…” I exhaled, realizing he’d cornered me, and I was forced to speak the truth. “You can ensure she stays where she is. My sister can be persuasive. I need someone who’ll keep her where she needs to be. Far from here.”
“Do you want me to hire her or kidnap her?” His smirk had returned. “I’m a bit confused.”
“I’d like you to hire her. I’ve heard through the grapevine that you’re in the process of making some changes within your organization. I think Braelyn would be a good fit.”
His face sobered. “Do you know what it is that I do here?”
Honestly, I had no idea. But based on the offices, the company was doing well for itself. That was all that mattered.
“I don’t. But she’s flexible. She’s a computer programmer. Surely her skills’ll fit in somewhere.”
“Fine.”
I stared, the word taking a moment to process. I’d come prepared to argue my case until Talon gave in. I certainly hadn’t expected him to do so quite so quickly.
“You understand my base of operations is on Sapphire Island,” he said easily.
“Not specifically, no. But yes, I’d heard you had a private island.” Which was the main reason I had come to him. Being that Talon’s private paradise was rumored to be one of the many Caribbean islands, it was the perfect place for my sister to go. No one would find her there.
“I will do this my way,” Talon tacked on, his stare intense, as though he was waiting for me to argue.
We both knew I was not in a position to do so.
I nodded. “The only request I have is that you don’t waste time. This is urgent, Talon.”
Talon’s molten stare remained level on my face. “And the only request I have is that you accompany her to the island.”
I immediately shook my head, sat up straight, and set the coffee mug on his desk. “I can’t do that. I’ve got things to take care of here.”
“You can handle them from there.”
The Dominant within me did not take kindly to demands, but I knew going up against Talon was futile. The man hadn’t amassed his enormous empire simply by granting people favors without some sort of compromise. For him to do this, I knew I would have to cave to at least some of his demands.
Before I could argue more, Talon held up his hand.
“It’s nonnegotiable, Ransom. Either you accompany your sister to Sapphire Island or you both remain here.”
Fuck.
I exhaled sharply. “Fine. I’ll accompany her, but I’d like Braelyn to believe this is her choice. My sister… Let’s just say she doesn’t take kindly to being told what to do.”
The smile that formed on Talon’s face had a chill slithering down my spine, and for the first time since I’d stepped into this office, I questioned whether or not I truly knew what I was doing.
“I know exactly how to handle it. I ask only that you be available to leave tomorrow evening.”
“I’d prefer tonight,” I declared. “My sister’s not safe here, Talon. And every minute that passes puts her more and more at risk.”
“I’ll be attending TJ’s New Year’s party tonight. Tomorrow’s the earliest I can offer,” he said simply. “You can accompany her on the flight out.”
I hastily nodded as I got to my feet. It would have to do.
Talon stood, stepping around the desk. “Might I suggest you stage this appropriately.”
I narrowed my eyes on his face, trying to read between the lines.
“You’re a smart man, Ransom. This is an opportunity for you and your sister to make a clean break. Start over.”
Okay. When he said he knew a few things, I clearly hadn’t considered what he might’ve uncovered.
“Make the most of it,” he continued, “and ensure those who’re looking for you realize you’re gone for good. After all, you’ve done it once before.”
Surely Talon wasn’t suggesting…
“It’s the only way to get out from under them,” Talon added. “But this time it needs to be permanent. Staying here, practically under their noses, is no longer an option.”
He was right. Staging our deaths would certainly put them off our scent once and for all.
“I’ll consider it.”
“Will you be attending TJ’s party tonight?”
Relaxing somewhat, I followed Talon toward the door. “I’d planned on it.”
“You should try to be there. It’ll give you one last chance to see your friends. After tonight…”
He didn’t have to finish the sentence. I knew exactly what starting fresh entailed. It meant I had to abandon all the friends I’d made over the years. When all was said and done…
They’d be mourning my death.
Then again, if I didn’t do this, it was likely they’d be standing over my grave anyway.
*
TALON
I certainly had not been expecting Ransom Bishop to show up today and ask for a favor. A monumental one, at that.
I had to admit, it was a fairly intriguing way to start the last day of the year.
It had nothing to do with the fact Ransom would owe me in return for the grand gesture I would make to ensure he and his sister were safe from this point forward. That was a given and he knew it, but that was how I operated. Those closest in my circle understood I was willing to go above and beyond for the people who were important to me. And like it or not, Ransom was important to me. He was a dear friend, and I’d known for quite some time that he was in trouble. And yes, while I could be incredibly generous to those within my inner circle, I could also do serious damage when someone crossed me. Good thing most people tended to steer clear because of it. It kept that valued inner circle small.