Page 50 of The Tycoon

Cole didn’t relinquish his hold but seemed to squeeze harder.He leaned his body on top of Sykes’ and dug his elbow into the man’s stomach.Sykes finally released the gun and it dropped into the dirt.

Taking Syke’s left arm, Regan pushed it over his head and then forced him to turn over to his belly.

Cole helped roll him over.“What do we do with him now?Do you have something to tie his wrists together?”

“Hold him.I’ll be right back.”She ran inside, found a steak knife in the kitchen, and then went to the bed, pulled back the blankets and, after slicing into the sheet, she tore off a long strip.Then she ran back outside.

Sykes cried, in great wracking sobs.“I just wanted justice for Jasmine.That’s all.Justice.”

Cole sighed.

The man lost his sister and, though he’d tried to kill him, Regan saw Cole’s sympathy.She wondered if Cole was imagining if he’d lost his sister to suicide or anything else, for that matter.She understood the deep grief he would feel.She would be the same if she lost either of her sisters or her brother.Maybe especially Randy, because he was her best friend, too.

Cole’s voice was soft.“There is no justice, Jerry.She committed suicide.We can speculate why, but in the end, only she knew her reasons for doing what she did.”

Sykes continued to struggle.“No.It was you.She wouldn’t have done it if not for you.”

Regan tied his wrists with the strip from the sheet.

Cole climbed off Jerry and stood.Then he took his phone out of his pocket and dialed 911.After that call, he placed one to Mason.“Get your men to the cabin on the Castle Pines ranch.We have Jerry Sykes.I’ll explain later.”He ended the call and slid his phone back in his front pocket.Then he helped Sykes to his feet and into the cabin, where he sat him at the table.Cole sat next to him.

Regan placed Jerry’s gun safely on the kitchen counter and then sat across from him.“You’re going to prison for a long time, Jerry.You know that, don’t you?”

Jerry sniffled.Then he straightened in his chair.“It would have been worth it if I’d been able to complete my plan and had killed you.”He looked directly at Cole.The tears that dirtied his face were gone and only belligerence remained.

A few minutes later, she heard tires crunching on the dirt outside and the engines from the big SUVs that Cole’s men drove.She stood and looked out the open door.She lifted a brow.“Well, that was fast.Douglas County Sheriff’s car is outside along with your men.”

The sheriff’s deputy came in first.“Mr.Kincaid, we got a call about a trespasser and an altercation out here.Is this the man?”He pointed at Sykes.

Jerry put his shoulders back and straightened his spine even more.

“He is.He’s tried a couple of times to kill me.Luckily my bodyguard thwarted his plans both times.”Cole walked to Regan and put his arm around her shoulders.

She looked up at him.What’s he doing?This is not professional.I wonder if this means he’s fired me and wants to take our relationship to the next level?

The deputy sheriff looked at her and spoke to Cole.“Where is your bodyguard?

Cole chuckled.“Right here.”He pointed at Regan.

The deputy’s eyebrows shot up.“She’s your bodyguard?I thought she was your girlfriend.”

“We’re still working on that.”Cole looked down at her and smiled.

She didn’t get it.What was he up to?Jerry Sykes had been arrested for attempted murder and was going to jail.That should have been the end of her contract, but it sounded like Cole wanted more.But as a bodyguard or as a girlfriend?

The deputy shook his head.“I’ll need you two to come down to the station to give your statements.The sooner the better.While things are still fresh in your minds.”Then he took Sykes by the shoulder and lead him to the patrol car.He covered the top of Jerry’s head with his hand so it didn’t hit the door frame.Then he drove away.

Regan finally stepped out from Cole’s arm around her shoulders.She missed his touch already, and the only thing they’d shared were a few kisses and a bed, twice.

He looked at her, confusion in his gaze.“What’s the matter?”

“You.You’re what’s the matter.What do you want from me?I told you I can’t be one of your?—”

He pressed two fingers against her lips and gazed at her.“Shh.Baby, I don’t want you to be someone I date for three weeks and then move on to someone else.I’m not proud of who I’ve been, but I want to be better, and I want to be better with you.Please, Regan, give us a chance.”

Tears filled her eyes.This was what she wanted.She wanted to be with Cole more than anything.She loved him.He was kind, and he loved his family.He took care of his employees, treated them fairly, and paid them well.

But it was the way he was a gentleman with her.He didn’t try to take advantage, and it wasn’t just because she could kick his butt.It was because he was a good man.She knew that the first time they’d slept together.She knew that in the way she’d cuddled close both those nights, and he still didn’t try to use her.