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tersely.
    “Good, I’m glad you’re aware of what you owe, because the time has come for you to pay up.”
    Raymond had suspected that was the reason Bryce had insisted upon this private meeting here at his home. “As I told you, I am working at finding a way to repay you.”
    “I’m afraid ‘working at finding a way’ isn’t enough, Raymond,” Bryce said, piercing the other man with a cold-eyed look. “I am a businessman. I want my money now.”
    Desperation took hold of Raymond. Bryce had a reputation for dealing harshly with anyone who crossed him, and he’d heard more than a few stories of what a dangerous enemy he could be. He certainly didn’t want to turn Bryce into an enemy. “I’ll need more time—” he began.
    Bryce cut him off before he could say another word. “You’re out of time, Raymond. I am not a patient man.”
    “But there’s nothing I can do to access the funds. The money is tied up in my dead wife’s estate. There’s no way I can completely settle my debt until—”
    “Yes, there is.”
    “There is? What?” Raymond asked in frightened confusion.
    “You have something I want…” Bryce deliberately left the sentence hanging. He liked having control over the other man.
    “I do?” Raymond was startled by the younger man’s declaration, and he couldn’t imagine what he was talking about.
    “That’s right. You do, and I intend to get it.”
    “What is it? Name it. Whatever I have—is yours—” He was frantic to find a way to pay off his debt to Bryce. If he got through this, Raymond knew in the future he would not be so foolhardy in his dealings anymore.
    Bryce turned a threatening regard on the weakling sitting before him. “I want Destiny.”
    “Destiny—” Shock hammered through Raymond at the mention of his stepdaughter.
    “Yes. She’s going to marry me.”
    In that instant, Raymond realized what Bryce was about. Bryce’s reputation was known far and wide. Whenever he wanted something, he got it, and he’d been wanting to be accepted by the upper echelon of St. Louis society for some time now. Few in society paid much attention to Bryce, though, for despite his success in business, he came from a family with no social status. By marrying Destiny, Bryce would accomplish his goal. The Sterling family was one of the most highly regarded in the area. Raymond himself had certainly benefited from the Sterling’s connections when he’d married the widowed Annabelle.
    “That’s right. As soon as Destiny becomes my bride, all your debts will be forgiven.”
    Desperate as he was, Raymond was determined to make the marriage happen. “How do you want to handle this?”
    “Bring her here to me tonight—at, say, seven o’clock.”
    “Should I tell her of your intentions?”
    “Do whatever you want to do. Just make sure she’s here with me tonight—unchaperoned.” Bryce felt the heat rise in his body as he said the last. He was definitely looking forward to the evening to come.
    Raymond stood up and started from the study. “She’ll be here.”
    “Don’t be late.”
    His words weren’t a suggestion.
    They were an order—and a threat.
    Lane had taken the time to look around town. He couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was, but something seemed a little off. The place was too quiet, as if the townspeople felt threatened by some unnamed danger. Could it be the Cooper Gang? Had Black Rock recently been visited by the killers? He hoped the sheriff would have answers to some of his questions.
    When he reached the office, he glanced in the window and saw the sheriff sitting at his desk, so he opened the door and strode in.
    Sheriff Brown looked up quickly, and a bit nervously, as the stranger unexpectedly entered his office. There was an edge of danger about the tall, darkhaired man standing there just inside the doorway, and he wondered who he was and what he wanted.
    “Evening.” Sheriff Brown hurried to his feet. “What can I do for you?”
    For a