Page 93 of Finding His Redemption

“Or someone.” He pushed a piece of carrot around his bowl. “Explains why she was so spooked the other night when she thought she was being watched.”

“I can find out,” Ghost said.

He was tempted for a second, but then shook his head. “No. She’d have told me if she wanted me to know.”

“So what are you gonna do?” Jonah asked.

Before Jax could answer, Boone stepped into the bunkhouse, the screen door slamming shut behind him, and conversation dropped off like a power outage. He didn’t bother with greetings. “Thorne. We got things to discuss.”

The stew suddenly lost its appeal. Jax set the bowl down on the counter with a soft thud. “What things?”

Boone crossed his arms. “We’re going to help clear your name.”

Jax stared, waiting for the punchline.

“We’re not letting Hank fucking Goodwin railroad another one of ours,” Boone said.

Another one?

That implied others had been run out of town by the sheriff.

Jax wanted to ask, but he also wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer, so he kept his mouth shut and just nodded slowly. “I appreciate it, but you’re not changing the sheriff’s mind. He’s already decided?—”

“That’s the point,” Boone cut in. “He’s not interested in the truth. Never has been. His only goal is to make sure he wins next year’s election.”

“Which isn’t a sure thing,” Anson said in his quiet way. “Lotta folks that voted for him last time don’t like the way he’s doing things now. He needs something he can call a win, and if he can tarnish the Ridge’s reputation in the process, all the better.”

Jax looked at Anson in surprise. It was the most words he’d heard the guy speak at one time.

X sidled over to the fridge and grabbed a can of Coke. He held it out in offering, and when Jax shook his head, cracked it for himself. “We got skills,hermano. Might as well use ’em for something good. Jonah’s got a sixth sense for people, and look at him, all cute and fluffy like a damn golden retriever puppy.” He ruffled Jonah’s perfect hair, then gave his cheek a playful squeeze. “Tell me that face doesn’t scream, ‘you can trust me with your social security number.’ Really, I’m surprised you weren’t a better criminal.”

Jonah shoved him away. “You’re so full of bullshit.”

“Usually, but not about this. People just trust you, man.” He turned and pointed at River. “And River and I can talk our way into anything.”

“Partners in crime,” River said, and they bumped fists.

“Yup. Ghost’s got the data, Anson’s got the brain for putting it all together, and last but not least—Boone and Bear? They’re the muscle, bro. Straight-up nightmare fuel.”

Bear grumbled.

Boone just narrowed his eyes.

X nodded like they proved his point. “See? Scary as fuck. Pretty sure we got enough firepower between us to shake some answers loose.”

“We just need a lead,” Jonah added, ever the optimist.

“You heard Mr. Rogers. Let’s find us a lead.”

Jonah gave him the middle finger. “Don’t call me that.”

“If the sweater fits...”

“At least I don’t look like someone ordered Shemar Moore off Wish.”

A laugh escaped Jax’s throat before he could catch it. It felt rusty, like a hinge that hadn’t been used in years. The sound surprised him as much as everyone else.

“There we go,” X said, grinning. “Dude’s got a sense of humor after all.”