by Devney Perry
“Why do you say that?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe because she never talked about him. Like never. I even asked her once if she’d had a nice weekend with her company and she just smiled without answering me. It was almost like they were hiding something. I always wondered if maybe he was married.”
“Maybe.”
The neighbor’s eyes got wide as she realized what she’d just said. “Oh, God. No. That’s not what I mean. Please don’t put that in your story. Amina was so kind and sweet and generous. I don’t want you to think she’s some kind of home-wrecker or mistress. I was just talking out loud. I’m sure he wasn’t married. She wasn’t like that.”
“Don’t worry.” I smiled. “I won’t write anything that isn’t true. Speculation is just that.”
Her face paled. “Really. I’m sure he wasn’t married. And she was wonderful. Truly.”
“I’m sure you’re right. Thanks again.”
She went to her door, quickly disappearing inside with the stroller. Probably scared she’d stick her foot in her mouth again.
Dash and I didn’t stay longer. We both walked silently to the bike, not talking until my helmet was on.
“Well, that was interesting,” I said quietly. “Turns out Amina had a regular visitor on the weekends.”
“I heard that.”
“Do you know where your dad has been most weekends?”
Dash’s jaw ticked. “He didn’t kill her.”
“I’m not saying that.” I frowned. “But I think we’d better find out exactly how long your dad has been having sex with Amina Daylee. And if it wasn’t him, then she did have a boyfriend. I wonder how he’d react to learning she’d gone to Clifton Forge and hooked up with your dad.”
“Sounds like we need to track down a boyfriend.”
“Yes, we do.”
Dash straddled the bike. “Good thing the neighbor showed. Otherwise this would have been a wasted trip.”
“We got lucky.” I settled behind him. “And we were lucky the house was listed too so we could get inside.”
“What were you going to do if it hadn’t been listed?” he asked over his shoulder.
I shrugged. “Pick the lock on the front door or break in through a window.”
Dash’s eyes crinkled at the sides as a slow grin spread across his lips. Then he burst out laughing, the sound echoing across the block as his shoulders shook. “God, you’re fucking amazing. Too bad you don’t like me.”
“That’s right. I don’t like you.” Not at all.
Chapter Fifteen
Dash
Bryce and I stopped by a taco joint to grab lunch before riding home to Clifton Forge. The return trip was quiet, not as intimate and exciting as the trip to Bozeman had been. Her arms didn’t grip me quite as fiercely. Her legs didn’t hug the outside of my thighs.
Maybe she’d gotten used to the bike and how to shift her weight. But that featherlight touch felt more like her pulling away.
I hadn’t expected the whole act like a married couple bit. It made sense why Bryce had done it, but dumbass that I was, it had taken me too long to catch on.
I just . . . wasn’t that guy. I wasn’t the wife-and-kids type. Being a family man was Nick’s priority, not mine. My niece and nephew were amazing kids. I liked having a sister-in-law who gave me shit and loved my brother as eternally as my mother had loved my father.
But I had never imagined that in my life, and even if I could picture it, I didn’t want it.
Fucking no, thank you.
I’d witnessed firsthand the destruction it had brought to Dad’s life when Mom had died. I saw Nick’s fear when he’d learned Emmeline had almost been kidnapped.
I’d had numerous black eyes, a fractured ulna and collarbone, two broken noses and a few concussions thanks to the boxing ring and a few fights. Physical pain I could handle. A broken heart?
Nope. No point in even putting myself in that position.
Bryce being pissed at me wasn’t going to change my mind. She didn’t get to judge the way I lived my life—past, present or future. She wasn’t my wife or girlfriend, so she didn’t get to be angry that I wasn’t a hand-holder or cringed at the idea of babies.
By the time we pulled into Clifton Forge, it was my turn to be mad. Bryce and I were casual. We were having sex, temporarily. I guess I shouldn’t have spent the night.
When I pulled up to her house, she was off the bike in a flash, stripping off the helmet. “We need to talk to your dad and see if it was him visiting Amina.”
“Yeah.”
“I want to be there.”
“Fine.” I narrowed my eyes and studied her face. It didn’t look angry. She didn’t seem hurt. She just seemed tired.
Maybe I’d been reading way too much into her reaction to me at Amina’s house. Maybe she was just preoccupied with what we’d learned from the neighbor. Had I gotten worked up for nothing?
I sure hoped so. This would be a lot easier if I didn’t have to worry about Bryce pressuring me for a commitment.
“Meet me at the garage at ten tomorrow,” I told her, returning her items from my pocket.
“I’ll be there.” Without another word, she turned and walked up the sidewalk to her front door.
I waited only long enough to see that she made it inside, then I raced away. I didn’t want to stay another night anyway. Her bed was uncomfortable, her pillows too firm. And she woke up so damn early, I couldn’t even enjoy sleeping in on my day off.
The ride home took ten minutes. My house was on the edge of town, surrounded by some open property I owned, ensuring I’d always have space. When I walked inside, I went right for my walk-in shower, wanting to rinse away the smell of Bryce’s sweet coconut soap. I didn’t need the reminder of her on my skin all evening.
Water dripped off the ends of my hair as I toweled off. I walked to my bedroom naked and, though it was still afternoon, collapsed on my king-sized bed. Sprawling out, I took a pillow and punched it into a ball under my head.
Much better.
Except I tossed and turned during my nap. And all night, my hand kept searching for something that wasn’t there.
“Morning.” Emmett walked through the open garage bay door the next day.
“Hey,” I said from the floor where I was lying beside the Mustang. The bumper I’d installed this morning was on and I was double-checking that everything was exactly right.
He came over as I shoved off the floor, handing me the extra cup of coffee he’d brought along.
I tipped the white lid to my lips, surprised when I tasted cream and chocolate. “What is this?”
“A double mocha something. I don’t know. I hooked up with the blond working at the coffee hut last night and she gave me these for free when I dropped her off this morning.”
I chuckled. “Nice.”
“What’s up?”
“I’ll tell you when everyone else gets here.”
I’d called Emmett and Leo this morning, waking them up at six a.m. on a Saturday. Both were annoyed I’d woken them up on their day off. They were lucky I hadn’t called at four—that’s when I’d called Dad.
He’d been up that early too.
I’d asked everyone to meet me at the garage by ten.
The clock on the wall showed nine forty-five. And a white Audi was turning into the lot.
Emmett looked at the car, then to me. “Did you know she was coming?”
“I invited her. She’s part of this now.”
“Part of what?” His forehead furrowed.
“Finding the truth. Better to have her on our side than against.”
Emmett studied my face. “You got something going with her?”
“Something like that.” There was no point denying it. When she was around, she had my focus. Emmett wouldn’t miss it when she walked into the garage.
“Is that smart?”
I blew out a long breath. “No, but it’s too late now.”
“
She’s under your skin.”
And soaking deeper, down to the bone, every day.
Walking outside, I took Bryce in as she stepped out of her car. Gorgeous, as always. Her hair was straight and sleek, draping down her back. I instantly regretted not staying at her place last night.
Her sunglasses were on, shielding her eyes. But the way she held her shoulders, the upward tilt of her chin, said she was prepared for a fight.
She’d probably get one.
Bryce walked my way, wearing a pair of loose jeans cuffed at the ankle. They left her curves to the imagination, but I knew what she looked like underneath. Her black tee fit tight across her breasts and stomach. With her heeled sandals, it was impossible to look away. Though she could be wearing a potato sack and she’d still have my undivided attention.
She was classy and gorgeous no matter what she wore. It came from the way she carried herself, with tenacity and strength. Not many people, let alone women, questioned me. But this woman was a fighter. She wouldn’t be pushed around, and she wouldn’t take things at face value.
Which was why she had to be here today.
Bryce would see something I might miss.
The roar of a familiar engine echoed off the steel walls of the garage as Leo sped into the parking lot. He drove right up next to Bryce, slowing to match her strides. When he parked and slid off his shades, he gave her the smile that often landed him in the bathroom of The Betsy, fucking whoever had fallen for it.
My hands fisted. I’d be informing Leo that Bryce was off-limits. For good. Even when the two of us called it off, she wasn’t to be anywhere near his bed. Emmett’s too for that matter.
“Garage is closed, beautiful,” he said, still astride his bike. “But I’ll take a look at your car on Monday. Give you the special service. I’d even stay late, just for you.”
“Wow.” Bryce stopped beside Leo. She brought her hand to her heart. “Really?”
“This oughta be good,” Emmett muttered. I hadn’t noticed him standing by my side.
“Really.” Leo winked and ran a hand through his hair. “Maybe when we’re done with your car, I can take you for a ride. Teach you how to have a real good time.”
“I do like a good time.” Bryce used that same voice she’d used on me the first day she’d come here, pure sugar and sex. She was luring Leo into her trap, the same damn thing she’d done to me. God, I was a fucking idiot. She’d baited me. And watching her do it to Leo, I could see why I’d fallen for it.
“Damn, she’s good.” The way she held her body was confident and poised. She didn’t flaunt her looks the way some women did to hold you captive. She didn’t push out her chest or give him a shy smile. There wasn’t a damn thing shy about her smile, and that’s why it was so devastating.
She stood there like the goddess she was and let Leo look her up and down, knowing that he liked what he saw. And knowing she was in complete control.
My dick stirred. I’d screwed up by not staying at her place last night. We were a short-term thing and I wanted to savor it while it lasted. I wouldn’t make the same mistake tonight.
“What do you say?” Leo licked his lips.
Bryce took a step closer. “I’d eat you alive, pretty boy. Save the special service for someone who’ll take your orders in bed.”
Leo’s jaw dropped.
Bryce spun on a heel and marched my way. “Do you guys all deliver the same line to get women into bed? Offering them a ride? Does it actually work?”
I grinned. “Every time.”
“Not every time.” She smirked.
“True.” I’d acted the same way as Leo that first day she’d come to the garage. And she’d shot me down. “We only use that line in the summer. We can’t ride in the winter so we come up with something new.”
“Given your reputation, it’s got to be better.”
I shrugged. “Not always. Sometimes all it takes is hello.”
“Let’s be done talking about this.” A flare of annoyance—and jealousy?—laced her voice. Whatever she was feeling, she shoved it away and extended her hand to Emmett. “I’m Bryce Ryan.”
“Emmett Stone.” He held her gaze, as if assessing a potential enemy.
“Who’s this?” Leo glared at Bryce as he came to stand by Emmett.
“Bryce Ryan,” she spoke at the same time I said, “She’s the new reporter in town.”
“Ahh. The pain in our ass.”
“Or the woman who might actually be able to help clear your boss’s name,” she shot back.
“Cool it. She’s on our team, Leo.” I sent him a warning glare. “We’re working together.”
His scowl deepened as another engine’s thunder signaled its approach.
Dad pulled into the garage, parking by Leo, and wasted no time coming right up to Bryce and holding out his hand. “Bryce. I’m Draven. Didn’t get to meet you the last time we were both here.”
“Yes.” She shook his hand. “You were a bit busy that day.”
Did she have to remind him of the arrest? I got that it was her way of exerting some control over the situation, sending a message that Dad wouldn’t intimidate her either. But she risked pissing him off. He was tight-lipped about this whole thing enough as it was.
Christ. I was going to end up playing mediator between the guys and Bryce.
“Let’s talk inside.” I waved everyone into the garage.
We all assumed places in the garage. Leo and Emmett both hopped up onto a tool bench. I stood against a wall. Dad stood in the center of the room, his legs planted wide and arms over his chest.
And Bryce, to torture me, went and leaned against the Mustang.
“How much does she know?” Dad asked, staring right at Bryce.
“Enough to bury you if you betray me,” she answered.
“Enough that she knows the risks involved,” I corrected. “We have an arrangement. It’s between me and her. And not the point of this meet.”
“She’s an outsider. And not part of—”
I held up a hand, silencing Leo’s protest. “It’s done.”
The garage went still. Bryce looked around the room, waiting to see if anyone would object. But Leo’s would be the last. At least, the last objection while she was in the room. Emmett would corner me later and voice his concerns. Dad wouldn’t object; he knew it was too late. His criticism would only come if I’d made a mistake and we were dealing with the fallout of Bryce writing a story that condemned us all.
“Emmett and Leo”—I looked to them— “any word around town about who might have it out for Dad?”
Both shook their heads as Emmett spoke up. “There’s nothing. Not a hint. I even met with a couple of old members who’d gone to the Warriors. They could be lying, but I don’t think it’s them.”
“That goes with the story they gave us when we met with them and Tucker.”
“It’s quiet because everyone thinks Draven did it,” Leo said.
My gaze met Bryce’s, silently reinforcing my message. He didn’t kill her. “Listen. Yesterday, Bryce and I went to—”
“How long were you sleeping with Amina?” Bryce fired the question at Dad.
“Jesus Christ,” I mumbled. So much for giving Dad a little background about our trip yesterday before springing it on him.
“I spent the night with her,” Dad answered, the tension in the garage spiking. “Though, you already knew that.”
“Not the night before she was killed.” Bryce shook her head. “Before. How many times did you go visit her?”
His eyebrows came together. “Visit her?”
“We went to her house in Bozeman yesterday,” I explained. “Looked around. Her neighbor said she had a guy about my height and your age visit every few weekends. Was it you?”
“No. The first time I saw Amina in over twenty years was the day she came here.”
“Why’d she come?” Bryce asked. “Did she tell you?”
“Said she wanted to visit. See how things had c
hanged. Called me here at the garage and asked if I’d meet with her for a drink. I told her I’d pick her up from her room. Got there. We started talking. Never had that drink.”
I looked to Bryce. “That means there is a boyfriend out there. Maybe one who’d get jealous and kill her after he left.”
“Crime of passion makes sense,” Emmett said. “Given the number of times she was stabbed. But how’d he get your knife, Draven?”
“Hell if I know. I haven’t been hunting in years. I can’t even remember where I kept it. Somewhere at home, probably.”
“A boyfriend wouldn’t have known that.” I ran a hand through my hair. “Or who you were to go and steal it. No boyfriend acting in a jealous rage would take the time to set you up.”
“Unless.” Bryce began swaying, shifting her weight from foot to foot as a crease formed between her eyebrows. “What if Amina was dating someone from Clifton Forge? Maybe she had come back here. Maybe she’d lied about not being here for decades. If her boyfriend was from town, it would be plausible he could have set you up. Especially if he knew you, Draven.”
“She didn’t lie,” Dad said. “Amina had no reason to deceive me.”
“But what if she was part of the setup?” Bryce countered, talking with her hands moving. “Maybe she and this boyfriend came to town. She called you to the motel while he went to your place to steal your knife. Except something goes wrong. Maybe they’d planned to plant the knife at another crime. But he comes back to the motel and gets enraged that you two had sex. Kills her. Frames you.”
It was possible. Thin, but possible.
“Amina wasn’t out to get me,” Dad insisted. “She . . . she wasn’t like that.”
“You said there was history, Dad. Are you sure she wouldn’t want to see you in prison?”
“I’m sure.”
“How can—”
“Kingston.” One word and there was no room for argument. “I’m sure. Someone set me up to take the fall for murdering an innocent woman. She just wanted to visit a town she hadn’t been in for years. And to see me, an old friend from high school. That’s it.”