Chapter 12

The moment Tate and I stepped onto the patio; I knew something was wrong. In a panic, my eyes searched for Marshall, but I didn't see him. I saw Barry and Bree standing together in some kind of argument. I grabbed Tate's arm and dragged him towards the arguing duo. "Where is he?" I asked urgently, my heart pounding in my chest. Barry turned to me with a worried look on his face, and I knew then that Marshall was in trouble.

"We don't know," Barry said.

I saw Bree's face and panicked. The poor woman was terrified. "We didn't see him leave."

"This is my brother, Tate. He's going to help us. Let's not panic until we know there's something to panic about." Easier said than done, Tallulah.

Tate nodded in agreement; his jaw set with determination. I took a deep breath and tried to focus on the task at hand, praying that Marshall would be found safe and sound.

"He didn't go out the doors you just came through. I was leaning against the wall next to them with a drink when we got back here." Barry looked out over the golf course. "Which means he must have left by the steps at either end of the patio."

Bree shook her head. "He didn't leave at that end because I was sitting at the far table."

"That narrows it down." I smiled. "Tate and I will go down the steps. You two go through The Iris and out the front door. Take a left and keep your eyes open. We'll meet you in the middle."

Barry took Bree's arm and led her away from the terrace. Hopefully the inebriated guests wouldn't notice their abrupt exit. With a hand on Tate's arm, I held him close as my eyes scanned my surroundings once more. The father of the bride was sitting at a table with two other men. They looked as if they were discussing business. Maxwell Devereux looked up and met my eyes. I swallowed hard as I turned to face my brother.

Tate frowned and put his arms around my shoulders. "What's wrong, Talla?" he whispered in my ear.

Instead of answering him, I pulled myself together. "We've been here too long. Will you lead me to the steps, so it looks like we're looking for some privacy?"

He snorted. "Lean into me, honey," he drawled. "Let's finish this party in our room," he said in a louder voice.

My cheeks heated even more when I saw the knowing smirks on some faces. My brother was just doing what I asked, but jeez. I didn't ask him to yell about it. Tate snickered. "If only you weren't my sister, this would be a lot more fun."

I winced. "I don't need details." It was a relief to get to the bottom of the steps, because all I felt as I walked was Devereux's eyes focused in my direction.

There were lights along the path around The Iris, so I kept my arm in Tate's as if we were going for a walk. No one would be up to anything unspeakable in the light. The further we walked, the more I looked out over the golf course. We hadn't gone far when I spotted a faint light flickering off to the left. "Did you see that?" I pointed.

"What?" Tate pulled my arm down so that if anyone saw, they wouldn't see me pointing. "I see it now. I think it's a flashlight."

"Is there a building out there, do you think?"

"I know there is. It's a small barn where they keep the mowers and other supplies."

I stared at my brother. "How do you know that?"

He got uncomfortable. "Never mind that." He took my arm and led us off the path and out of the light.

"Maybe we should meet Barry and Bree before we check it out," I suggested, nerves getting the better of me.

"When a life is in danger, Tallulah, you don't wait." His hand slipped into mine and I had to run to keep up with his longer stride. As we approached the small barn, I heard muffled voices coming from inside. My heart raced when my brother finally stopped. "I think we're outnumbered."

"Call Sheriff Kendrick. I don't think he likes me very much."

"He found you amusing, sis." Tate pulled out his phone and dialed. Their conversation was short. His eyes met mine. "He said not to do anything. To wait for him."

"What if they kill Marshall right now?" Tate's grip on my hand tightened. "We have to trust the sheriff, Tallulah. He'll know what to do." I nodded, trying to ignore the fear gnawing at my insides as we waited for help to arrive.

The voices in the barn came closer to where we were hiding in the back. There was no doorway, so at least they wouldn't discover us. Unless they left the barn, that was.

"We have to hurry."

"I know nothing."

"Shut up, Westcott! I'm surprised the boss hasn't told us to get rid of you before now."

I grabbed Tate's arm. "We've got to do something," I whispered.

"That chick you've been screwing on the side will be next."

"No way. You leave her alone! She knows nothing."

"Are you sure the rope is secure?"

"Yes. We'll tie it as soon as Westcott's neck is in the noose."

"Oh!" Terrified, I made my way to the front of the barn. I wasn't going to let them kill him. The sheriff would be here soon to save the day. He had to be. I heard footsteps from behind and knew that if Tate caught me, he wouldn't let me interrupt the murder that was about to take place. I should have been more aware of my surroundings because I bumped into someone.

The man gasped and grabbed my arms. "What the hell!" he yelled before grabbing me tightly and pointing a gun at Tate. "Move. Now!" He pointed to the large barn doors that were partially open. "Get inside."

What had I done?

"I'm sorry, Tate." I cried softly. "I should never have gotten you involved.

As Tate entered the barn, he froze. The man who had me pushed me forward, and the scene that had frozen Tate was revealed to me. My blood ran cold. Three more guns were pointed at us. I spotted Marshall sitting in a chair with a burly guy over him and a knife in the guy's hand.

"What's going on?" I asked in as firm a voice as I could muster with the fear in my stomach.

"Who are you and why are you snooping around outside?" one of the men asked. I didn't see his face because he stayed in the dark shadows at the back of the barn.

"We were out for a walk. I never expected to be pulled in here at gunpoint. We don't want any part of what you're doing. We'll be on our way now." I tried to wriggle free of the guy, but he wouldn't let go.

"You two are not going anywhere." The man stepped forward. "You, Tallulah James, have been seen with Westcott several times."

"How do you know who I am?"

The man said, "Let her go."

I was released and moved quickly to my brother's side as the man looked at me before continuing, "You are friends with the Hallen brothers."

I remained silent.

"Answer me!" he roared.

"You didn't ask a question."

My brother snarled under his breath. "Talla, now is not the time."

"Yes, I am friends with them. What about it?"

"I'm debating whether we can get away with killing you both or whether the Hallen brothers will come after us."

"I can answer that for you."

I turned around in shock. Carlisle Hallen stepped into the barn and Jessop followed.

"This is not a fucking party!" The man had lost his cool.

"Devereux is setting you and your buddies up. He wants you to take the fall for Westcott's death." Carlisle stepped forward. "Devereux is not only hoping to get rid of Westcott, but he also wants to get rid of you. The sheriff is on his way as I speak. Who do you think called them, huh?"

Carlisle blocked the man's view of Tate and me, but I didn't like it. It meant the man would have to shoot him to get to me. I wasn't sure I liked that idea at all.

"You're full of shit." The man snickered, though I saw a nervous twitch in his hand. "Why would Devereux want to get rid of me and my men? We know too much that could put him away for a very long time." The gun he held pointed at Carlisle.

Is the guy an idiot? He just pointed out why Devereux would want to get rid of him.

I whimpered, catching a slight twitch from Carlisle. "Devereux doesn't like loose ends," he said, his voice growing more menacing. "And you, my friend, are definitely a loose end that needs tying up." The tension in the room was palpable as we all waited for the next move.

"Just kill her. After tonight we will be over the border. No one will reach us there." The man who spoke stood beside the leader; his arm outstretched with a steady hand as his weapon pointed in our direction.

The leader nodded in agreement, a cold smile on his face. "Make it quick and clean," he ordered, his eyes fixed on us with a chilling intensity. With a feeling of dread settling in my stomach, I knew we were out of time.

Carlisle glanced over his shoulder and met my anxious gaze. "On three," he muttered before glancing at Jessop. I watched, hoping that what they were planning wouldn't get one of them killed.

As if in slow motion, I watched as Carlisle slowly approached the two men. The man behind me moved into my line of sight, as did the man on the opposite side. Jessop was watching the man closest to me. Marshall, in a sudden burst of energy, flew forward and tackled the man giving the orders. A gun went off. All hell broke loose. I felt a rush of adrenaline as chaos erupted around us. Jessop and Carlisle worked together seamlessly, taking out the remaining threats with precision.

I grabbed a shovel and joined the melee, whacking the brute who'd been holding me. He was a big man and didn't go down easily. He immediately grabbed the shovel out of my hand and lifted it, approaching me with a malicious grin. He didn't get a chance to hurt me because my brother came to the rescue. Tate hit the man over the head with a gas canister. I don't know where he got the strength from, but I was so glad he did it.

I stumbled and fell onto my butt on the cold, hard floor. As I caught my breath, I saw the man lying unconscious close by. Tate reached out to help me up, his face filled with relief.

The relief was short-lived as a fist came sailing towards me at the same time as Jessop yelled my name. Carlisle knocked the man to the ground as his fist connected with my cheek. I winced in pain as I felt the sting of the blow on my face. Carlisle quickly subdued the man, but not before he'd punched him in the face a few times too many. Jessop grabbed his brother and pulled him up. "He's had enough. The sheriff's here."

Carlisle stumbled toward me, his eyes burning. Despite his anger, he gently cupped my face in his large hands. "I'm sorry, Tallulah," he said in a raspy voice. "I'm angry; I didn't catch the asshole before he hit you."

Tears were already falling, but at Carlisle's gentle touch and words, I burst into tears. I found myself held tightly against his warm body. I buried my face in his neck and sobbed my heart out. I wasn't usually such a baby, but I was tired and exhausted and so damn relieved that it was over. I hurt too. The man had caught me hard with his fist.

"How is she?" Sheriff Kendrick asked Carlisle.

"Took a left hook to the cheek."

I released my grip and turned my teary face toward Kendrick. "I'm fine, really. It's been a long day either way."

"I'm taking Talla to Hallen's. Can you take our statements there?"

"I could really use them at the crime scene."

"Talla needs ice and to be comfortable."

Kendrick ran a hand through his hair. "I'll be there."

"Thanks," I muttered when no one else bothered. "He's a good sheriff by all accounts. Stands up to the mayor and my father."

"If you weren't hurt," Carlisle said. "I'd wait." His fingers brushed my hair back from my face as his eyes swept over me. "What am I going to do with you?"

Jessop suddenly appeared. "If you don't know by now, you can't be my brother," he said. "Kendrick said we could go. He'll catch up with us."

"Pen's Cadillac is parked here. I can't leave it."

"I came with Jessop, so I'll drive it to Hallen's."

I nodded. "Let me check on Marshall first." I winced because I'd forgotten about him in all the chaos, even though he was the reason we were in the middle of this.