Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 58727 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58727 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
“That didn’t go well, you telling her that?”
He shakes his head. “I’m not a mathematician, but clearly neither is she. The baby was probably made with a guy I employ. Used to employ. My guess is they got it in their heads to get me to pay her off using the billion I’m going to inherit.”
“Is there actually a baby or did they only hatch a scheme?”
He shrugs those broad shoulders. “I have no idea. Don’t rightfully care.”
“I’m sorry.” I look to the floor and then back to Miles. “For more than you being used like that. I shouldn’t have run.”
I glance over my shoulder. Jake is still standing at the bar, chatting with a few people around him.
Miles shifts to look at him as well. “Right into another man’s arms.”
I see how it looks, how an alpha guy like him could be angry. Jealous. “Jake’s just a friend.”
Jake looks up and gives me a wink.
“You sure about that?” Miles asks.
A guy comes in the door, looks around, and spots Jake. Heads his way. Gives him a kiss.
“Pretty sure,” I reply.
Miles grins. “Yeah, I guess he’s not my competition.”
I shake my head and laugh.
“We’re a couple of hotheads, aren’t we?” Miles says.
I sigh. “Yes. I think we need to take some time to get to know each other.”
“All I have is time, sweetheart, but there’s some heavy shit that keeps getting in the way.” He reaches out and tucks my hair behind my ear.
I crave that touch, and I grasp his wrist and give it a squeeze. “Lots of heavy shit.”
“Hopkins!”
We turn at Mark’s voice.
“Oh, fuck. What now?” Miles grumbles.
Peterson approaches. Instead of his usual weekend swagger, his gaze is hard. Sharp. His shoulders are back. Cop mode.
“Got a call from the coroner.” He waggles his cell in the air.
“Now?” Miles says.
Peterson looks up at him, nods. “We put a rush on the autopsy of the body from the creek and the coroner thought this might not want to wait until Monday.”
I frown and glance up at Miles.
Miles sets his hand on my back. “If you’re going to tell me I have something to do with the murder, we’re going to have a problem, Peterson.”
He gives Miles a quick glance and shakes his head. Then he looks at me. “I feel confident you’re off the hook, Bridger. She dates the murder to a couple months ago.”
That doesn’t clear Chance, but I see Miles deflate a little out of relief. It looks like Mark has more to say.
“What else is there?” Miles asks.
I nod. “Yes. What did she find?”
“The body…” He heaves out a sigh and looks at me. “The body has been identified as Joseph Hopkins. DNA matches yours on file.”
My mouth falls open.
My brother. Joey. He’s the dead guy in the creek. On the Bridger property.
“From when he disappeared.” My voice is wooden. Numb. I’m trying to process what the hell that all means.
Peterson nods.
Oh. My. God.
I lean into Miles unintentionally, but I’m thankful for his size and strength. All my hope of ever finding Joey is gone.
“Joseph Hopkins?” A frown mars Miles’s brow. “The body is someone in your family?”
I nod.
I swallow. “My brother. I guess he came back from Canada. Or he never went at all.”
15
MILES
* * *
Sadie’s peaches-and-cream complexion has gone stark white, and I wrap my arms around her to steady her. “Easy, baby.”
She grips the bar.
I’ve been a fucking idiot. A caveman who dragged his woman back to his cave and took possession. When I saw her come in with that guy… Yeah, I lost my shit.
Sadie is mine.
I don’t have any claim on her. We barely know each other, but whenever we’re together, the chemistry is intense. Being with her settles something inside me. And obviously riles me the fuck up.
We’ve spent most of our time since we met being mad at each other. It seems like everything is a total shit show right now. And we’re barely keeping our heads above all the mess.
And now this. The worst of all.
Her brother’s dead. On our ranch. Killed by someone.
“Listen, Hopkins,” Peterson says, clearly trying—and failing—to look contrite. “I didn’t mean to lay this on you like that.”
Without letting go of Sadie, I turn my gaze on him. “The hell you didn’t. It’s Saturday night, for God’s sake. We’re at a pool hall, not on the fucking clock. Did you even know about her brother?”
He shrugs. “No. I mean, maybe. Yeah, she might have mentioned it. That’s how she decided to enter the police academy.”
“I’m okay, Miles,” Sadie says against my shoulder.
Thank fuck she believes me about Rhonda and the baby. I want to be here for her and have nothing like that mess between us. Not any longer. The fact that she’s seeking comfort in me is proof she’s let it go. Or that she needs me no matter what clusterfuck stands in our way.