We’re standing near a river that runs through my property.Ballard wanted to discuss some of the details with his friends, and I agreed.These people have had a front row seat to the havoc Burk, Nolan, Royce, and Jolene caused.
The research Ballard and I did last night only gave us some information, and we still have nothing.Well, more questions and maybe a motive for Jolene’s part in things.So, it’s good to bounce ideas around with the people who are involved.
Though, we have to be careful not to be seen together if Ballard and I want to get closer to Royce.If he sees Ballard and I getting cozy with those he targeted, then he’s unlikely to trust us.Hence us meeting in the woods near the river.
Seamus and Jaxie, along with Murray and Elodie, brought their dogs.They are facing away from us and have been given the order to guard.According to Seamus, they will bark if they hear someone approaching.
Ballard stares at the dogs, and I can tell there’s a hint of longing in his gaze.
“Not being able to voice commands is a bullshit reason not to get a dog,” I tell him.
Seamus steps closer.“She’s right.You can whistle to catch their attention when needed, and train them to follow hand commands.”
Ballard takes a piece of paper from the file he’s holding and shows it to Murray, clearly ignoring me and Seamus.
I release a sigh and start to explain to the others, “I was invited to Jolene’s party yesterday and brought Ballard as my plus one.”
A gasp rips from me and is instantly smothered when Ballard cups the back of my neck and plants a kiss on my mouth.
“Wow.I didn’t see that one coming, and yet I did,” Elodie mutters.
“Dude, you move fast.Faster than Seamus,” Murray remarks.
I can feel my cheeks heat, and I know I should mention the fake relationship arrangement Ballard and I put in place.Yet, I don’t want the same reaction Ballard gave me when I mentioned it yesterday.Last night after I confessed about my trauma and scars, he reacted with patience.
Kissing, caressing, looks of adoration, and keeping his distance when it comes to taking the next step.He made me feel safe, unrejected, while keeping the door open a crack for more if I wanted it.
And I do want it...eventually.
“Fast, but not as fast as the lie he told Royce.”I throw a pointed glance in Ballard’s direction.“He basically said I’m pregnant.”
“Said?Like, he actually talked?”Seamus asks with wide eyes.
I try to hide my wince.Shit.I should have worded it differently.
Waving a hand in Ballard’s direction I grumble, “The man clearly has no issues to speak up without using his voice.He’s bossy, overbearing, and...”
Ballard shuts me up by kissing me again.My eyes fall shut and I let myself get lost in the warm tingling feeling this man triggers inside my body.A giggle makes me aware we’re not alone.Shit.This man is dangerous with the brain fog he creates once his lips are on mine.
Pulling away, I clear my throat.“Royce offered Ballard a desk job with an office, and I really think we managed to gain some trust.”
Jaxie signs and I follow her hands but can’t make sense of what she’s saying until Seamus translates.“We didn’t process his resignation.Ballard is still employed by Stalwart Ridge Security.”
Seamus turns to Ballard.“You damn well know your inability to use your voice doesn’t diminish your skills.Hell, during some assignments we never even used our voices.So, when this is all handled you better get your ass back to work.Thank fuck this woman saved you...twice in my opinion.”
My chest warms with the compliment.When his gaze hits mine I give Seamus a tiny nod to let him know I appreciate his words.
Ballard snaps his fingers and shakes the paper he showed Murray earlier.
“The finger snapping is annoying,” Seamus mutters, earning a smack against his chest from Elodie.
I take the paper with an image we printed out before we came here.“This is Jacob Tucker.He and his wife, Stella, were at the party too.We discovered that Jolene threw the party because she wanted to announce that she was keeping the shares in her husband’s company to become a notary herself.Ballard was standing near the couple during this announcement.The wife flipped, and Ballard heard their heated argument.Apparently, Jolene’s husband, Tim, wasn’t the only cheater in their marriage.”
“So, Jacob and Jolene fucked.”Murray shrugs.“What does that have to do with finding evidence to put Royce and Jolene behind bars?”
I feel my shoulders sag.This is what I mentioned to Ballard this morning when he demanded we debrief them.
“Nothing yet.We’re just giving you an update on what we’re working on.We’ve run a background check on both Jacob and his wife.This might give an insight or an angle for Jolene’s motivation to have her husband killed.I’m going to ask Orson to question Jacob and see if there’s anything he can share about the day the will was notarized or Tim’s death for that matter.Wanting to inherit Burk’s money is one thing, but there might be evidence we can use to prove her involvement in her husband’s murder.Then we can pressure her into giving us more details and maybe she’d give us Royce,” I explain.
