Page 70 of Claimed by the Lawman

The man grinned and crossed his arms over his chest, but he didn’t say a word.

A few minutes later Tyler heard another set of footsteps on the staircase and this time it was Bane. “I knew you were involved. You slimy piece of shit! You killed my sister! All because you wanted my father’s land.” She tugged against the rope and winced at the pain.

Bane made a gesture to the larger man and he grabbed a chair and sat it down in front of her. Bane took the seat, smiling from ear to ear. “That’s where you’re wrong, sweetheart. I don’t need to kill to have your land. Soon that’ll be in my hands. It’s just a matter of time now.”

“What have you done? Why did you kill my sister?”

“She was a lot like you, Tyler. Both have a pair of balls and a very long nose that got you into trouble. Two beauties, but a pain in my ass.” He shook his head. “What a waste really, don’t you agree, Fletcher?”

The burly man in the suit laughed.

Bane leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. “I gave that bitch a chance. Set her up in Ruby’s fine establishment, allowed her to earn cash for her problem. And what did she do? She went and stole from me.” He sat back in the chair, swiping a hand down his clean-shaven face. “I’m a good, fair man though, so I gave her a second chance, but there are just some people who are never grateful. She really thought she could get by with blackmailing me.” He laughed and it grated against Tyler’s nerves. “And just like you, sweet thing, she wasn’t easily scared. I truly believed she would knock herself off, but she proved me wrong. If it wasn’t for you sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong, no one would have cared whether a fucked up, prostitute junkie was found hanging from a rope. No, you sashayed that sweet ass under Cade’s nose and like any goddamned dick, he salivated. I admire how you Poseys stand up for one another and have deep rooted morals. Too bad I couldn’t convince that twerp brother of yours to make things easier for me. All he had to do was walk away from the land.”

“What did you do to Rogue?” She jerked in the chair wishing she could get her hands around Bane’s neck.

“Don’t worry. Here soon you won’t care about anything but getting juice in your veins.” Bane stood. “You really want to know what that cunt sister of yours felt? I’m going to give you front row seats to Susannah’s world.” He dipped his hat and said to the man Fletcher, “Shoot her up and let’s get her ready. I think she’ll make the best whore in town, don’t you? Too bad not in this town, but we’ll get a pretty penny for that sweet ass.” Bane chuckled and headed for the stairs. He stopped on the last rung. “Do the brand first. We want her to get the full effect of what her sister felt. After all, Tyler did buy herself a one-way ticket here.” Then he continued up the stairs.

“I’ll be right with you, sweetheart,” Fletcher said with a dirty smile.

Tyler watched the man walk over to the corner and open the door to a rusty, old furnace. She prayed it didn’t work, but when he stuffed it with kindling and paper, it was soon ablaze, and fear took shape in her body so powerful that she was numb.

All she could do was hope Kace found her soon. She believed in him. Trusted him. He would search everywhere, wherever she was, and find her. He wouldn’t leave a stone unturned.

She’d wanted closure for Susy’s death, but not like this. What did they do to her brother? She couldn’t bear the thought of losing him too. And what about her father? Could he survive losing another child? If Bane got away with this, she’d be lost too.

Bringing her chin up, she watched Fletcher roll the iron around the drum of the furnace and when it was hot enough, he pulled it out, the red iron looking stark in the shadows of the room.

“You’ll never get away with this,” she said through tight lips.

“Because I like your spunk particularly well, I’m going to give you the option where you’d like your mark. You can choose anywhere but that pretty face. We need to keep that flawless. I bet you’re the chest type.” He smiled.

“I have a spot for it. You can bury it so deep up your ass that the only thing you’ll be good for is to be stuck in a garden to scare off the crows.”

He laughed. “Damn, I’d like to keep you for myself. You’d be my entertainment, that is until the only thing you’re good for is a needle in your arm. Boss is right, what a shame.” He gave his head a shake.

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