Page 93 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“Ouch! I hope he didn’t get any traction. That bar usually serves a rough crowd, and most probably didn’t make it past the tenth grade.”
“Most of those guys have been around Blackfield a long time. They know better than to tackle the Sterlings,” Jack said. “They figure Sterlings bought the police, and they don’t stand a chance.”
Wyl laughed and shook his head. “If only it were that simple. So what do Rod and I need to be on the lookout for?”
“One of my deputies reported Shifty spent the night in his old beat-up pickup. We don’t think he has any friends, which means he’s unlikely to find anyone to go along with his schemes. He might try something himself, but I don’t think he’ll do anything to cause bodily harm. His priority will be finding a job, and that should keep him busy. Still, be aware of your surroundings.”
“Okay, Jack.” The tension in Wyl’s stomach didn’t go away. “Let us know if anything unusual happens. You have my cell number.”
“Will do. Are you guys headed to the Hill Country? Might be good to get away for a few days.”
Wyl glanced over at Rod, who sat on the couch, checking email. Getting his husband out of town was a great idea. They both loved their getaway home in Kerrville. “We might do that, Jack. Thanks.”
“Best to Rod.” Jack disconnected.
* * *
Wyl hung up the phone and puffed out a sigh. He needed a bracer. “Want a Bloody Mary?”
“Sure,” Rod said from the couch. “I’m checking our email for anything the Hill Country gang has planned. We don’t want to miss a party.”
Wyl pulled two crystal tumblers from the bar rack. “I think we need a trip down. You up for it even if the gang has nothing planned?”
“I’m always up for the Hill Country with you, babe.”
Wyl dropped a few cubes in each glass and poured Tito’s from the crystal decanter. He filled each with Bloody Mary mix. A quick stir, and he brought the drinks.
“Shit!” Rod shouted at the laptop screen.
“What’s wrong?” Wyl set the drinks on the coffee table.
“Facebook.What gay Blackfield couple owns a large ranch west of Blackfield? Look no further than Sterling Ranch, home of Wyl and Rod Sterling.Posted by Mitzi Sterling today.”
“Let me see that.” Wyl stumbled over the sizeable mesquite-wood coffee table and fell onto the couch next to Rod. Righting himself, he read the posting. “So, this is what she had planned. That bitch.”
“What does she hope to gain with this?” Rod frowned. “She’s now blown her chances to extort money, right?”
“Extortion is illegal,” Wyl said. “I guess she figures we won’t fork over any cash, so she’s now bent on destroying us.”
A dog-bark sound came from Rod’s laptop, his email notification. “Here’s one from Mitzi via Facebook.” Rod clicked the message to read it.Welcome to social media, boys. Enjoy the ride!
“Fucking bitch troll from hell.” The anger smoldered deep within Wyl, heating his face. “Now, what the fuck do we do?” He picked up his drink.
“First, we don’t respond to Mitzi.” Rod reached for his Bloody Mary. “The less contact with her, the better.”
“Shit.” Wyl’s glass thunked onto the table. “Shitfuckshitfuckshitfuck!” His voice gradually increased to a shout. “I want to give her a taste of her own medicine!” He hammered the coffee table with his fist.
Rod stroked Wyl’s back. “Wyl…she expects us to react, so no reaction will infuriate her even more, and let her know we don’t give a fuck. After all, she didn’t say anything that wasn’t factual. She merely pointed out what most Blackfield folks already knew.”
At Rod’s words, Wyl calmed and glanced at his husband sideways. “What will this do to us?”
“Facebook is very popular. Many people will see it,” Rod said. “Most Facebook users won’t care. They don’t know us, and being gay is not unusual. A few in Blackfield might notice, but as you said, we are Sterlings. We have influence here, so it won’t matter.”
“But now everybody will know.”
“Babe, what Shifty said about it going around was true,” Rod said. “Jack knew about our marriage. If he did, others did, too. Blackfield already knows. But to make it clear to the rest of the world, let’s use this to expose our relationship fully.”
“What do you mean?”
