Page 200 of Hidden Ties

“Putting everyone else first before yourself.”

Sage rested her head back on the seat. “Was shooting Link really an accident?”

Creed’s gaze swung to her. “No.”

Her head turned to meet his. “Good.”

FORTY-EIGHT

“Hurry, Bradford!” Victoria stood by the open front door, waiting impatiently for her husband.

“I told you I was coming,” Bradford snapped as he walked through the door, carrying a black travel bag in his hand. “Is all your luggage in the limousine?”

“Yes. Doris took them out there an hour ago. She’s locking the house up for me.”

Bradford took his wife’s arm as they walked to the limo. Opening the door, he put his head inside to reprimand his driver for not getting out to open the door for them. His eyes widened when he saw the man already sitting inside.

Creed placed a finger to his lips, holding out his other hand to motion for Bradford to slide inside. He enjoyed seeing the fear on Bradford’s face as the older man climbed into the limo, sliding over to allow his wife inside.

Victoria’s face was a mirror of Bradford’s when she climbed into the limo after her husband.

“Shut the door, Victoria,” Creed told her.

She followed his instruction.

“What are you doing here, Mr. Bryant?” Victoria scooted over to her husband. “Where’s our driver?”

“Your driver was hired by an associate of mine. I felt bad, not wanting to leave you stranded, so I took it upon myself to hire a new one for you. I hope that addresses that question. As to the other question you asked, I’m here to take you up on your invitation.”

“We didn’t invite you.” Bradford stiffly moved his shoulder away from his wife.

“I believe you did. I tend to take someone who pays to have my wife killed as an invitation.”

“I told you I was getting my wife help. That’s where we’re going.”

“Ah … yes, I know.” Creed picked a piece of lint off his trousers then casually flicked it away. “You’ve checked your wife into a lovely facility in Switzerland, which is well known for providing a relaxing environment for the rich and famous. I also believe you’ll be staying at a villa with one of your dear friends on the federal council. You’ll probably catch a couple games with another friend who’s on the council. Must be nice to have powerful friends in high places.”

“As I said, you weren’t issued an invitation. My wife has made no further attempt to pay anyone to hurt your wife.”

“No, she hasn’t, but you have, haven’t you?” Wryly, Creed stared him down. “I gave you the benefit of the doubt, Brad. And what did you do to repay me? You took matters into your own hands, since your wife clearly couldn’t get the job done for you, could she?”

Creed contemplated the couple sitting across from him. “I blame myself entirely. I pegged you as a weak man. And don’t get me wrong—I didn’t get that part wrong. But here’s where I went wrong. I thoughtbecauseyou were a weak man, you’d let Victoria have all the control in the relationship. That’s where I was wrong. You are a weak man,”

Feeling extreme pleasure at seeing Bradford getting angry at being called weak, Creed continued to rub it in. “What I didn’t take into account was that you’re a narcissist. You’ve been pulling Victoria’s strings the whole time. How you managed to stay married so long beats the hell out of me. An extreme narcissist married to a psychopath. A marriage made in hell.

“Poor Denny.” Mockingly, Creed shoved Bradford’s travel bag out of the way so he could stretch his legs. “I bet he couldn’t wait to get away from you two. He certainly—from what I understand—didn’t take after either of you.” Centering his eyes on Victoria, he gave her a wink. “Who’d you fuck behind Brad’s back?”

“I was never unfaithful to Bradford!” she yelled at him self-righteously.

“I believe you. You’re such a cold bitch, I bet you froze Brad’s dick into an icicle.” Creed switched his gaze to Bradford.

“I bet she was a real blast to fuck, huh?”

Bradford’s hands clenched into fists. “How long are you going to keep us sitting here, Mr. Bryant?”

“It shouldn’t be much longer. Ah … here we go.” Creed saw the Ashwoods’ maid get in her car and drive away.

Creed raised his hand. Using the back of his knuckles, he tapped the security glass three times. The car started slowly moving.