He didn’t even have to think about what he wanted. Deep down, I’d known he wouldn’t.
But seeing his quick reaction?
That Miss Adeline, the dogs, and I were more important to him than everything he’d worked for.
I was overwhelmed.
I clutched his shirt. “I can’t let you do this. We have to figure out another way.”
“You haven’t even told me what he wants.”
His nearness calmed me and quickened my pulse at the same time.
“He wants you to work for him,” I said in a rush.
“That’s all?” Teague’s shoulders relaxed. “He’s been after that all my life.”
“Today,” I whispered.
“What?”
“You have twenty-four hours—well, about eighteen now—to take a job with him.” It was horrible to think about, let alone speak out loud.
Teague’s features darkened. “Or what?”
The words caught in my throat. I wasn’t sure I could get them out. I took a deep breath. “Something happens to Miss Adeline or the rescue or both.”
A bolt of hurt stabbed at my heart. What would I be without her?
Teague growled. “Nothing is going to happen to either.”
He shoved off the desk. I caught his hand. “You don’t know that.”
He looked as if I’d slapped him. “If it takes me working for that bastard to save this place, I don’t need twenty-four hours to think about it.”
“But where does it stop?” I squeezed his hand, begging for the answer.
His face went ashen. “It doesn’t.”
“So if we give in now, who’s to say he won’t come back later with another demand? We’ll be right back in the same position,” I spat. What sort of man did this to his child?
Teague stumbled forward and flung his arms around me. I caught him in my embrace.
“Don’t lose your job over this,” I said.
He pulled back. “I got fired.”
My eyes bulged. “When? Why?”
“Yesterday morning. And supposedly, because I showed up to help with the fire at the park,” he said with disgust. “Captain’s had it out for me from day one.”
“Can you appeal it?” I sounded naïve because I was when it came to matters like this.
Teague was a fighter though. I couldn’t imagine him just walking away from his career.
He let out a long breath. “I haven’t thought about it. I spent yesterday half furious and half in a state of shock. Then last night happened, and I mostly forgot about it.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” I cried. “Who do we talk to? Your captain has to have someone above him.”
“A few somebodies, but I’m not sure it will help.” He hung his head. “Besides, I have a new career path. The inevitable one.”
“No.” I straightened. “Maybe Daniel knows who could help us. He’s powerful.”
“If I told my brother, he’d have me reinstated, I’m sure.” While sarcasm laced his words, there was truth in them too.
“Then tell him,” I said insistently.
Was he still in a state of shock? Teague had no sense of urgency about this. The longer he waited, the less chance he had of getting his job back.
I shook him when he didn’t answer.
“Maybe Beau has the right idea. If I get close to my father, maybe I can figure out what the hell he’s after.”
“Don’t.”
He gave me a resolved look. “I have to.”
“You’re playing right into his hand.” I tugged harder on his shirt.
“Why does everyone keep saying that? No one knows what his hand is. No one.”
I deflated. He was right.
The easiest thing would be for Teague to accept his father’s proposal. He’d leave the rescue alone. We could all move on.
And Teague would be miserable.
The whole situation didn’t feel right.
I didn’t live based on feelings, but I had to listen to my instincts. None of us were safe. It felt far too simple. That a man like Teague’s dad would simply walk away from the menace he’d caused at Grey Paws seemed too neat. The man kidnapped me. What was his end game? Why the pressure for Teague to work for him? Why go through me? Unless that wasn’t his first attempt to get Teague’s attention . . .
“I should’ve told you all this last night. But I thought I could come up with a solution. Now we’re just that much shorter on time.” Everything felt heavy, like if one more thing landed on my shoulders, I’d break.
Teague brushed his thumb over my cheekbone. “You’d had a traumatic night. There’s nothing to apologize for.”
I searched his face. “We don’t have any other choice but to do what he wants, do we?”
He sighed. “Maybe if we had more time. But no. We don’t.”
Chapter Ten
Teague
“Why are you here?”
I stiffened at the sound of my brother’s voice. He was the last person I’d hoped to see.
Actually, I just wanted to get in, get out, and move on. Somewhere in my brain, I kept thinking maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe I’d get to spend more time with Lincoln.
He fell in step beside me as I got off the elevator at Hollingsworth Properties.
“I thought we agreed you wouldn’t do anything rash,” he said in a hushed tone.
Was his mouth moving?
“I’m not.”
He paused mid-stride but quickly caught up to me once more and grabbed me by the arm. Instead of heading in the dreaded direction, he steered me down a different hallway.
“You’re only delaying the unavoidable.”
He ignored me and led us to a quiet corner by an artificial tree.
“You should’ve called me,” he hissed.
“You’ve already done enough.” I lightly punched his shoulder. “Thanks for staying up all night with me.”
He scowled. “You never have to thank me for anything.”
My brother was a fraction of an inch taller than I was, but it might as well have been a head the way he looked down. Even I could admit he was intimidating.
“There’s no talking me out of this.” I shouldered around him.
He caught me by the arm. “Whatever you’re about to do, there’s no going back.”
Everything inside of me sank. I’d managed to avoid this my entire adult life. My instincts screamed at me to find another way. I’d debated between getting it over with and waiting until the last second. Eventually, I’d split the difference when I couldn’t come up with another solution.
“We’re already past the point of no return.”
My brother’s hard look couldn’t convince me to abort my mission.
“I’m assuming you didn’t discuss this with Beau either.”
I shook my head. “I hope if I leave both of you out of it, I’ll take the brunt of the punishment.”
Lincoln dug his fingers into my arm. “How many times do I have to tell you?”
“It doesn’t work that way,” I finished for him, knowing full well how he was going to end that thought.