Assassin Treasure (Assassins Book 4) (25 page)

“I’m not really Taylor at all. It was Taylor who was murdered, we switched places, we were always switching places. Guess what? I didn’t come to find you to find out who murdered my brother for love or revenge. I came to silence you so that you would never tell. You see, I paid for the assassin to be hired. Do you honestly think Brent Marcus could’ve afforded the man’s fee? A professional of that stature? I paid the little bitch off, knowing her father would be so pissed he would use the money to kill ‘Tyler.’ It was me who really pulled the trigger. I wanted him dead, gone. Now I want his woman and child under my thumb. What ultimate revenge, wouldn’t you agree? Forcing his beloved bitch into submission, again and again. Taking his kid as my own. We’ll have so much fun finding out why Taylor didn’t even tell you his real name.”

Candy paled further at each sentence. She knew Tyler was capable of murder. More than that, he was capable of even more vicious atrocities than his brother, which was why he’d been targeted and not Taylor. Dirk confirmed that so long ago. Dirk told her they believed the man to be a sociopath serial killer who would use torture as a means of controlling his victims. Her eyes flickered and she willed herself desperately not to faint for the sake of the baby, a battle she soon lost. Her jaw quivered, her body trembled uncontrollably.

“Tyler?”

“Oh, it was Taylor who raped Marcus’s bitch daughter. He just said it was me, he always used my name to keep his hands clean.” He leaned in closer and whispered on a sinister breath, “But if it had really been me, she would’ve been dead when I was done with her. Maybe you will be, too.”

The room swam and soon Candy could no longer make out Tyler’s form.

Tyler chuckled as he watched Candy slowly slump to the floor. He made no effort to stop her downward descent as she crumpled silently in a heap at his feet. With ease he shifted the baby to one arm and grasping a fistful of Candy’s shirt he slung her helpless small form over one broad shoulder with a grunt. Grabbing up the diaper bag as well, Tyler strolled from the hut eagerly. His mind already plotting out the now significant advantage he would have controlling his father’s fragile emotions. This would definitely work to his advantage. He couldn’t believe his luck.

Dirk’s heart raced in terror. For the first time in his life he was afraid and unsure. He was frantically pacing his father’s study, surrounded by a multitude of grim faces.

“How could you leave them alone and unprotected,” he finally thundered at Tyr, outraged.

“My daughter was stolen because of your wife,” Tyr howled back with devastation. Though it was more than apparent his words pained him, all knew he feared for Candy as well.

“It’s not only useless to fight over blame, but beneath the both of you,” James snapped.

Dirk paused and ran a quick hand over his face. His father was right, arguing would get them nowhere and the clock was ticking. Two lives were at stake. Lives he treasured. He needed to gain control, both lives were doomed if he panicked. A calm stealth washed over Dirk; he regained control, bathed in decisiveness.

“Tyr, contact your brother,” Dirk ordered.

“He’s already on his way,” Tyr replied.

“Dad, I don’t just want some of our men but all of them. Pull them in from all sectors. This is priority one. I want my wife and my granddaughter back, now.”

“Then you had best get them organized. I’ll trust no one but myself to care for my granddaughter and great grandson while you’re away,” James replied; he settled back onto the couch and leveled a calm look on his son.

Dirk’s gaze centered onto his father in understanding. They all knew this day would come. When Dirk would step into the position he had been born to. From the look of resolve on his father’s face, Dirk realized his dad was getting old. He was ready to step into his new role of doting grandfather and great grandfather. The Iron Hand was still a force to be reckoned with. Now it would be Iron Hand junior who would rise to the task and control and protect the family.

Dirk began issuing commands to the others in the room. They raced to do his bidding. With every order, Dirk gained new confidence. He was ready for this, he’d learned well. He would retrieve his family. Only once, when his suspicions were confirmed on who had Candy and Sammy, did his fist press to his chest. His eyes closed briefly. When they opened, his gaze settled onto his father.

“I’m leaving Aaron and Deegan here. The Darrens are unable to penetrate our home. But I’m leaving nothing to chance,” Dirk said.

“Son,” James said, his look was sad. “The Darren family has been known to make inconveniences disappear permanently. If they know Samantha is related to Damien, if Candy tells them...”

“Candy won’t tell them,” Dirk argued vehemently.

“Son, Candy loves you and Samantha. You yourself know what information you are capable of extracting from a grown powerful man when you desire compliance, men who are hard and cold and able to withstand great pain. In order to save Samantha, she might die, but more likely she’ll retreat within herself, her fears too great. If that happens, she’s of no use to them; neither of them will be of use to them.”

“
I know that!
” Dirk raged. “I swear I’ll get them back. Alive!” Dirk spun on his heels and stormed from the room, pissed his father had so little faith in him.

James watched his son’s retreating form. It wasn’t faith he lacked in his son. He knew his adversaries. He was positive his daughter-in-law and great granddaughter were already dead, having told of Damien. James tossed back a whiskey and headed for Carrie’s room with a heavy heart. She would need him. At least she still had her son.

* * * *

“Tyler’s baby?” The older man held the sleeping infant tenderly, staring down into her sweet face. Tyler’s cruel gaze settled onto Candy’s shaking form. He had threatened her with unimaginable horrors if she gave away the deception. The idea Tyler was able to hide his real identity from his father scared her to death.

“I was as amazed as you, Dad,” Tyler said. Casually he strolled over to the both of them and ran a cool finger down one small silken baby cheek.

“But how? When?” the older man asked in confusion.

“Candy isn’t necessarily daughter-in-law material, Dad. You know how wild Tyler was. Always defiant, unruly. He knew you wouldn’t approve of her so he kept his lover in a rented apartment. Candy says he wanted the kid,” Tyler said smoothly.

The man’s gaze settled on Candy suspiciously. “I’ve taken care of many of Tyler’s ‘accidents’ over the years. Why this baby? Why did he want this child?” he demanded.

Candy’s eyes fled fearfully to Tyler. “Dad, I knew all along about Candy,” Tyler said quickly.

“You knew?” his father asked, incredulous.

“We were twins after all, he told me everything. I admit the baby was a bit of a shock, but that’s why I went after Candy in the first place. I knew Tyler would want her safe and well taken care of; he admitted to me he did have feelings for her, he even hinted he was in love with her. The baby is an added bonus. Tyler isn’t really dead as long as a part of him still lives. It’s a miracle, isn’t it?”

“You’re certain this is your brother’s child?” the man demanded, eyes narrowed.

“Just look at her, Dad, dark hair, blue eyes; Candy’s are brown. We can have a paternity test. I’m certain the baby is his. Tyler always went on and on about how faithful Candy was, she’d been a virgin, you know,” Tyler said and chuckled as Candy reddened in embarrassment.

The man’s steely gaze settled onto Candy making her squirm uncomfortably. “If the baby is my son’s, you may call me Dad, and you’ll be well taken care of. If you’re lying, you and the child won’t be around long enough to call me anything.”

Candy swallowed heavily at the implied heartless threat, watching as the older man settled Sammy back into Tyler’s arms. James was right, there was evil, and then there was evil filth in the world.

“By the way, what’s your daughter’s name?” he asked curiously.

“Savannah,” Candy answered without hesitation. There was a rumor that surfaced throughout the office about a sister who hadn’t survived or died young. Her name had been Savannah. Surprisingly Tyler appeared affected by this disclosure.

The older man smiled sadly, nodding, he gazed upon the child with hope before he left the room. As Tyler predicted, his father hadn’t even inquired as to Candy’s whereabouts the night of his son’s death, the man had been so rattled with emotion over the child.

“Please, Tyler, let me have her,” Candy begged.

“Remember, you stupid bitch, it’s Taylor now. Get used to it. You fuck this up, and I’ll fuck you over.” Tyler strolled over to her and handed her back the sleeping baby.

“When will you do the paternity test?” Candy asked worriedly.

Tyler laughed at her expression. “She’s not really my brother’s, is she? It doesn’t matter. His bastard or another’s, the brat serves my purpose. You saw the look on my old man’s face. He’s feeling guilty for not loving me enough when I was alive. I’ve already been hinting that to him as often as I can. I plan on using the child to my advantage. Oh, I’ll be the doting father to her. Taylor, always the good son, the most responsible, will take the poor orphan under his wing. You, of course, will marry me and give me a real heir. My father will want you close. I’ll allow Savannah to live as long as you do as I command, if that’s even her real name.”

Candy sat curled on the couch shrinking further with each sentence. Once again she was placed into the position of submission. Once again she was a prisoner. Her tears dripped from her chin. She loved Dirk. She wasn’t his prisoner, was she? She had been, but not anymore. A hurtful pain rose within her breast. Dirk didn’t love her; she knew that, she accepted that. Why would she accept that? He protected her, and yet she was in danger. Sammy was in danger; because of her, Sammy could be killed. No, that wasn’t fair or right. Damien killed Taylor. She had been kidnapped and held against her will, none of this was her fault; it wasn’t.

“I’m tired Tyler...Taylor. Please, can I rest?”

Her thoughts were coming at her too swiftly. She couldn’t imagine not loving Dirk. She had to. Can love lie? She was just frightened and confused, that was it, right? Tyler was playing on her fear, manipulating her, but was he the only one who had manipulated her? The idea was too much to contemplate.

* * * *

Tyler looked down on her defeated form, wishing he could hear her thoughts. Her face had paled, and she looked exhausted. He realized she’d recently given birth; he wondered if she was recovering still. He noted the baby was tiny. She couldn’t be more than a month or two old. It wouldn’t do for Candy to become ill. He needed her, he needed both of them. He had been furious to find out his father planned to give away some of his inheritance in Tyler’s name, his name, as some type of atonement. He’d been scrambling to figure out how to stop him. Now his father would place the money in the baby’s name—with him of course as executor. His father could play the doting grandfather while Tyler ran all of the finances. He couldn’t care less whose kid it was. He’d pay off the doctor, the DNA would come back positive, he would make certain. His plan was flawless, brilliant.

“You can have Tyler’s old room...my old room,” Tyler replied. He pulled Candy to her feet gripping her tightly when she stumbled. “You’re lucky I’m still in mourning over my dearly departed brother or I’d be joining you. Just think of the fun we can have on our wedding night, and every night thereafter.” He turned and strolled away without a backward glance, knowing she would follow.

* * * *

Dirk paced the enclosure of the plane as though caged. His men were diligent. Candy and Sammy were at one of three different locations. Each would be stormed simultaneously. No stone left unturned. He ordered mercy granted to only women and children. Darren’s men were considered evil and uncaring; they were well known.

“Wearing yourself out won’t help,” Wolf said.

Dirk stopped pacing to glance at the powerful assassin. His friend. “I’m dying inside,” he admitted.

“We will not lose hope,” Tyr snapped.

Dirk sat and accepted the drink Damien handed him. He rolled the glass in his hands. “Candy trusted me to keep her safe, Carrie trusted me. I failed.”

“I failed,” Tyr said. “I left them alone and unprotected.”

“Tyr, I was angry before. TJ needed a doctor, and Sammy is susceptible to everything. You did what you thought was best,” Dirk said.

As head of the family, he was above pettiness. The fault was his, the responsibility was also his. He should’ve taken them home when he left. He should’ve waited for another of his men to take his place until he returned. They were on foreign soil; he should’ve known better, what the hell happened to his judgment? He swore his judgment would never lapse again.

“I wish I’d taken out both brothers,” Damien muttered, looking overcome with guilt.

“You had your orders, Damien. You followed them appropriately; acting on your own can only lead to trouble. We all know that. I’m at fault, only me. Candy and Sammy are mine and Tyr’s responsibility,” Dirk informed him.

“Not anymore, at this moment they belong to us all,” Wolf said gruffly.

Dirk looked in turn to each of the six assassins before him. Ten families now resided within his home for their protection; another two planes had headed out in different directions with more of his men. Dirk left four men, including his father, to guard Carrie and the others. He didn’t want to appear vulnerable.

“Once my wife and grandchild are secured, there will be new orders,” Dirk began.

A few of the men tensed in apprehension. This was expected; leadership had changed hands, yet now wasn’t the time to feel unsettled, Dirk knew this.

“The newest order will be no family is left unguarded. This just proves we’re all at a high risk. I won’t allow this to occur again with any of our family.” Dirk rose to pace while the men nodded in agreement. Any of them could find themselves in the same position. At any time they might need to call in the family for help. Their stress eased, knowing Dirk was right. He had always stressed unity, dependability.