“I was only looking at JJ’s notes. I asked her a few questions. She found the answers. The more we dig, the more we uncover.” Her next words came rapidly. “I think Harrison killed a woman, and his father covered it up.”
He glanced at Trey, saw that he was watching him closely. “Did you know about this?”
“I found the notes she”—he nodded toward Ava—“was lookin’ at. She left ’em on the computer at the office. I recognized them as JJ’s, so I called JJ to confirm.”
Ava spoke up. “I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d make me stop.”
Magnus continued to stare. He wasn’t sure what he was supposed to say.
“Don’t be mad,” Ava added. “Last night, Trey made me promise that I’d be careful. I will,” she reiterated. “I’ll make sure no one knows I’m the one looking.”
“JJ’s the best at coverin’ her tracks,” Trey mentioned. “I told her that Ava’s safety is paramount. I don’t want her lookin’ into it any more than you do.”
“Technically,” Ava continued, “I’m a grown-ass woman, and I can do what I want.”
As he continued to watch them, Magnus realized Ava was already getting defensive, and he hadn’t said anything yet.
“Say something,” Ava demanded.
“I’m not sure what to say,” he admitted. “I’m not sure if I wanna paddle your ass or wrap you in cotton so nothin’ and no one can ever hurt you again.”
“If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to select door number one.”
Magnus’s cock twitched, but he mentally told the damn thing to heel.
“Are you mad?” Ava asked, sounding like a kid who just got caught playing with her toys when she was grounded.
“I’m not mad,” he said, and it was the truth. He met her gaze. “I’m hurt.”
Her eyes widened.
Magnus took a deep breath. “I’m hurt you felt you had to keep it from me.” He glanced at Trey. “That you both did.”
With that, Magnus turned and walked out of the house. He needed some air.
***
“Stay here,” Trey commanded when Ava shotup out of her chair, ready to go after Magnus.
“I need to talk to him.”
“Let me,” he said firmly, gently grabbing her wrist.
“But—”
Trey pulled her toward him, then pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I think this runs deeper than you not tellin’ him about this.”
Ava frowned, her eyes skimming his face.
“Trust me.”
She nodded, then sat back down.
Trey went to the main office, found it empty. He’d expected as much. Although Magnus had remained calm during that discussion, Trey had noticed the tension in his shoulders. It doubled when Trey admitted that he’d known what Ava was up to, which was why he suspected this was more than simply Ava not telling Magnus.
He found Magnus in the weight room, which was just a fancy term for a small storage space that held a handful of weights and a bench.
Trey closed the door behind him, then leaned against it, watching as Magnus stood with his hands on his hips, his gaze directed at the floor.
