I swallowed hard, my throat tight. “I understand that, but?—”
“And you know what else?” Lucas continued, his voice rising slightly. “He’s been happier these past few weeks than I’ve seen him in years. Despite hating it here, despite the lack of everything he loves—he’s been smiling more. Laughing more. And I’m pretty sure that has something to do with you.”
My heart hammered against my ribs. Did Lucas know? Had Xavier told him about us?
“I don’t know what you’re implying?—”
“I’m not implying anything,” Lucas said, his expression softening slightly. “I’m just saying that Xavier isn’t the person you should be investigating. He wouldn’t risk his career, his reputation, or his freedom for some stolen items he could buy ten times over without fucking blinking.”
I looked down at my notebook, at all the evidence I’d been compiling. The timeline, the access, the opportunity. It all pointed to Xavier. But Lucas’s words were making me question everything.
“Then help me understand,” I said quietly. “Because from where I’m sittin’, all the evidence points to him. He was at every location. He had the keys to Dolly’s apartment. His shoe size matches the footprints. What am I supposed to think?”
Lucas was quiet for a long moment, then he sighed. “I think you’re looking for a reason to push him away.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. “What?”
“Come on, Marcus. I’m not blind.” Lucas leaned back in his chair, his expression sympathetic now rather than angry. “Do you think I didn’t notice you two snuggling up at the party? Or that he didn’t come back to the ranch last night? I’ve seen the way you two look at each other. And I know how scared you are of anyone finding out who you really are. But accusing Xavier of being a thief? That’s a hell of a way to sabotage something good.”
I opened my mouth to deny it, but the words wouldn’t come. Because maybe he was right. Maybe some part of me was looking for a reason to end this thing with Xavier before it got too deep, before I got too attached. Before I had to face the reality of what I wanted versus what I thought I should be.
“And one more thing,” Lucas said, pointing a finger at me. “I know exactly what was stolen from Beau. Xavier wouldn’t know a rodeo belt if it hit him in the face. And as for Dakota’s Cherokee beadwork, that would mean nothing to Xavier. He wouldn’t know what he was looking at.”
“Okay,” I said, putting my hands up in defeat. “I understand.”
“Have you called all the pawn shops to see if the stuff has been sold yet?”
I nodded. “Yeah. Nothing has popped up. But they’ve got a list of things to watch out for.”
“So, let’s make this real fucking simple,” Lucas growled. “Come out to the ranch right now and search Xavier’s rental and his cabin. Whoever has these items hasn’t sold them. So, if they aren’t there, then youstopasking questions about him, alright?”
“Okay.”
“And then you’ll apologize for being an asshole.”
I stared at Lucas, his words hanging in the air between us like a challenge. My throat felt tight, my chest constricting witha mixture of shame and desperation. He was right. If Xavier was innocent, searching his things would prove it. And if he wasn’t...
I couldn’t finish that thought.
“Alright,” I said, standing up from my desk. “You’ve got a deal.”
Lucas’s expression shifted from anger to something that looked almost like relief. He stood as well, grabbing his keys from his pocket. “I’ll drive. You can follow me.”
The drive out to the Turner Ranch felt like it took hours even though it was only ten minutes. My mind kept circling back to everything Lucas had said. Was I really looking for a reason to push Xavier away? Was I so terrified of being happy that I’d sabotage the first real connection I’d had in years?
My hands gripped the steering wheel so tight my knuckles went white.
When we pulled up to the ranch, I saw Xavier’s rental SUV parked near his cabin. My stomach dropped. He was here. I was going to have to face him, tell him I was searching his belongings because I suspected him of being a thief.
Lucas got out of his truck and headed straight for the main house. I followed, my boots feeling like they were filled with lead. Beau, fresh back from his weekend trip, met us at the door, his expression confused.
“What’s going on?” he asked, looking between Lucas and me.
“Marcus needs to search Xavier’s cabin,” Lucas said bluntly. “He thinks Xavier might be the thief.”
Beau’s eyebrows shot up. “Xavier? That doesn’t make any sense.”
“That’s what I said,” Lucas replied. “But Marcus needs to see for himself.”
