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“Thank you. I appreciate you carrying me.”

Ah, so she only kissed me as a thank you. Fuck, I shouldn’t even expect her to thank me for anything, especially with how I’ve acted with her since we had sex.

Crucinda stands there, waiting for me to open the door. I’m too busy sizing her up.

Did she manipulate me to get out of walking?

Or was she genuinely not able to make it?

Goddamn, I hate not knowing. Not understanding her motivations or mine anymore is driving me nuts. Helping her into the truck, I put her seatbelt on for her since her hands are incapacitated at the moment.

“Crucinda, look at me.” When she turns to me, I see something in her that makes me want to believe her. She’s so innocent, looking like she has nothing to hide. How can that be? “If what you told me isn’t the truth, you know I’m going to kill you.”

Even saying that makes me nauseous. I don’t wait for an answer. Shutting the door, I walk around the front of the truck. Her eyes track my every move, and for a moment, I wonder what it would be like to chase her on good terms.

Would I even notice her?

My cock hardens, and I shake my head.

Yes, I’d notice Crucinda.

Getting into my seat, I turn on the radio to a country station and gun it.

* * *

Another fuckingsurprise hits me like a brick wall. Crucinda can sing. Every fucking time I change the station, she belts out the song. It’s annoying and sexy at the same time.

“How the hell do you know every song?”

Cruncida smiles. “My father didn’t let me have a lot, but the one thing I had was a radio. Oh, and the library. I could go once a week. I’d fill my imagination and time with music and books. I eventually taught myself how to sing.”

“For what it’s worth, you have a beautiful voice.”

That blush is back, and I smirk.

“Thank you, Jase. Since we are at my home, can you take the ropes off?”

I want to. But I have to remember she’s the enemy until proof can be provided. Getting out of the truck, I pick her up and throw her over my shoulder.

“I guess that’s a no.” The disappointment lacing her tone almost does me in.

“About time you got here.” Joey comes up to us and raises an eyebrow at me. I shake my head, telling him not now.

Crucinda stiffens in my arms but doesn’t fight me as we walk toward the barn. “Yeah, well, pebble needed assistance.”

Joey gives me a side eye, but I just wink. He rolls his eyes and roughly opens the barn door. “Put her in there where she belongs, and let’s get this over with.”

“Wait, I will not run.”

“Oh, pebble, if only it were that simple. Joey doesn’t trust you, and neither do I. You told me where the papers were. If they are where they are supposed to be, we can move forward.”

Opening the horse stall, I see a small mare eating some hay and place Crucinda beside her. “Be good and everything will be alright.”

Before I change my mind and untie her, I shut the stall. My brother and I walk out, but not before I hear her muttered words.

“Duchess, he’s going to find everything, and when he comes back, maybe I’ll mean something to him.”

My damn heart is shattering. I don’t know how much more I can take. Everything points to her being the villain in my mind. However, what’s she saying makes more sense? Joey doesn’t say a word as we walk to the house. I think he knows I’m in my head, trying to figure shit out.