Page 53 of Wildest Forever (Lovelock Bay #3)

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

PACEY

R iggs is already waiting at my office and nerves ripple through me.

“Morning,” I chirp, and Riggs' raises a thick brow before glancing at the clock on the wall.

“This is not morning,” he grumbles and rolls his eyes. He is sitting at my desk, his hands in his lap, fingers locked together.

I follow his gaze and look at the time. It's ten thirty.

I shake my head.

“I didn't sleep well last night,” I kind of lie, but kind of not a lie either.

It took me ages to fall asleep last night and even though I had Morgan curled under my arm, her head on my chest, my fingers trailing down her spine, I just couldn't get Conrad out of my mind. I just couldn't get what those assholes did to him.

I kept thinking of how scared he must have been, how alone and betrayed he felt.

My stomach twists and Riggs clocks my expression.

“You good?” and I nod, swallowing the bile that is threatening to pass my lips.

Swiping the coffee from the desk, I bring it to my lips and try and wash away the nerves when in truth, the coffee will only make it worse.

“Pace,” Riggs pushes from the chair and steps towards me. He doesn't have to say another word, just pulls me into him and holds me tightly and I didn't know how much I needed that from him. With everything going on, he has been there every step of the way and by my side.

Tripp's voice breaks through the moment as he clears his throat.

“Am I interrupting?” I hear the humor that laces his voice.

Sniffling, I step back from Riggs and see the concern on his face when he looks at me.

“I just had a moment,” I admit, shrugging a shoulder up.

“We all have them brother,” Riggs says as his hand presses against my back and Tripp nods, moving closer.

“Right,” he claps his hands together as I sit at my desk, Riggs and Tripp next to me. “What time do you have to take Luke to the courthouse?” and I sigh.

“He forgot,” Tripp chuckles and I roll my eyes.

“I didn't forget,” I lied.

I did forget.

Scrubbing my face and try to rack my brain.

“Four,” I mutter.

“Is he going in front of the judge then?” Tripp asks and I shake my head.

“Nope, he will be detained until Friday and then he will face him in the afternoon.”

Tripp nods.

“He won't get off, we have the evidence. We just need to get Marty too because let's be honest, he wasn't innocent in it.” I look at Riggs and I watch as his jaw clenches.

“I still cannot believe that fucking snake,” he growls and his fists ball.

“I know but we will deal with it.”

“He has been by my side for years and as soon as I push him away into something he has always aspired to become he shafts me.”

“No one has been shafted, we will get to him before Sunday.”

Riggs' nostrils flare and I know this is winding him up the longer it goes on.

“Have you seen the video?” I ask Tripp and he tells me no.“Want to see it? I think you should... and I know that sounds wrong, but it would be ideal for you to see what actually happened.”

“Shall I call Austin?” Riggs pipes up and that's not a bad shout. He needs to be kept in the loop with what his boss is up to. Austin is always on our side, there is no doubt about that. His loyalties will always lay with us.

“Yeah,” I nod as I find the email and wait for Riggs.

“Aust,” his voice is low, “I need you down to Pacey's office.”

He goes quiet for a moment and I look at Tripp.

“Now,” Riggs nods. “Okay cool, I'll see you in five,” his voice is tight as he cuts the phone and slides it into his back pocket.

“He's coming.”

“Figured,” Tripp smirks and Riggs punches him in the top of the arm.“Dickhead,” Tripp growls and punches him back and Riggs chuckles and I face palm myself.

“You seem uptight Pace,” Riggs points out the fucking obvious which has me turning in my chair and looking up at him.

“The fuck?” My brows knit, “why would I not be uptight? We've had someone else murdered; we have assholes gearing up to attack our homes and a fucking mole who has been working against us the whole time?!” My voice heightens, “So yeah, brother I would say I am a little uptight.”

Riggs smiles down at me then a deep laugh escapes him.

“You're so easy to wind up,” he mutters and squeezes my neck.

“It's a lot,” I admit, turning around and stare at my computer screen.

“It is,” Tripp admits on a sigh.

“But we will figure it out, we always do. It's not going to be easy, but we will do it,” he nods, both of his arms stretching as one hand is on Tripp’s shoulder, the other is on mine.

“Live by the ranch...” his voice a rumble.

“Die by the ranch,” Tripp and I say in unison just as Austin walks through the door then glances over his shoulder.

“Sup?” he asks, and Tripp moves towards him, looking out the glass windows then locking the door behind him.“What's going on?” panic laces his voice and Tripp ushers him behind my desk and it's getting a little bit crowded. I shuffle in slightly and closer to my computer.

“Watch,” Riggs growls and I drag a deep breath into my lungs, puffing my cheeks out as I press play and I can't watch again so I turn my head to the side but it doesn't help because I can visualise every single aspect of that video.

Just another thing to haunt me.

“What. The. Fuck,” Austin's voice is loud and Riggs hums in agreement.

“Wait,” Tripp says, leaning down and reaching for my mouse.

“What?” I look at him then back to the screen as he drags the video back.

“Him, I recognise him, and I don't know why,” he admits and I pause it on the frame and try and zoom in and that's when I see it, ever so slightly.

“Aubergine boots?” I mutter and sit back, eyes wide and mouth a little laxed.

“From Randy's?” Riggs looks between me and Tripp.

“Yeah, he was talking to the girls, but he was hidden under his hat, couldn't see much of his face,” I run my fingers over my moustache and Tripp shakes his head.

“I don't think that's why I recognise him,” he stands up and then pulls his phone out before it's to his ear.

“Dreamcatcher,” his voice is soft as he talks to Dixie, “can you come to Pacey's office, I just want you to confirm something.”

We all wait with bated breath.

“Okay baby, we will see you soon. Love you more,” he whispers then ends the call, slipping it in his pocket.

We all stare at him, waiting for him to explain.

“Just wait for Dixie.”

Austin rolls his eyes.

“Marty is outside, what the fuck am I gonna do? I have to work with him,” and I can hear the panic in his voice.

“Aust,” Riggs places both hands on his shoulders and walks him backwards to the open lobby part of my office, his eyes levelling with Austin's.

“We're dealing with it, trust me. Nothing is going to change.

You're going to still work with Marty and I promise we will have eyes on you at all times.

His war isn't with you, it's with us for whatever reason...” and I watch as Riggs drops his head, and I know he is struggling with this more than he lets on. Marty was a friend, is, I don’t even know anymore.

It's a blow for all of us but a lot more for Riggs.

Austin nods, dropping his head for a moment before Riggs places a hand on his cheek, lifting his eyes up to settle on his.

“I need you to trust me, have I ever given you a reason to doubt me before?” and I don't think I have seen this side of Riggs in a long time. He is fiercely loyal and protective over his family, especially when someone is threatening to rip us apart, leaving no trace of us ever walking this land.

Austin's head softly swings side to side.

“Then remember that. I need you to go out there and act normal, anything that passes his lips that you feel he is dropping in to test you, you let us know, do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“Good boy,” Riggs then pulls Austin into him and pats him on the back.

My eyes fall to my drawer, and I slip it open before I reach for the evidence bag Tyler gave me.

I haven't wanted to look through it because I don't think I need to, but maybe once I know things are settled, then I will go through it.

Nothing is going to change.

Luke and Marty killed Conrad.

We have the confession.

We also have the reason Conrad was wrapped up with them.

I am sure there is more to it, but I wasn't ready to dive into that.

Placing it back in the drawer and closing it, I spot Dixie standing on the other side of the door.

Tripp is already moving towards her, unlocking the door then dragging her in before he gives a look up both ends of the town. He closes the door and locks it back, his fingers lacing through hers as he pulls her softly towards my computer.

“What is going on?” her voice is panicked, one hand tucked under her bump.

“Nothing darlin',” Tripp says casually. “I just need your pretty eyes to tell me if I am seeing things...” he trails off as he tucks her behind my chair.

I offer to stand but she shakes her head.

I focus on Tripp, his hand skimming around her waist and resting on her neat bump and for a moment I find myself imagining that it was me and Morgan.

Imagining a life where we have a sunshine blond boy running through the fields, giggling as we follow, chasing him down to the creek.

But that's all it would be. My imagination.

Morgan has made it clear that she doesn't want kids and I have made peace with that. .. I think.

“Oh my god,” her eyes widen, her trembling hand lifting to her mouth.

“I'm right yeah?” Tripp looks at her side profile and her eyes fill with tears before she nods.

“What?” Riggs is now standing next to my desk, Austin mute.

“That's the guy with the aubergine cowboy boots from Randy's,” Tripp confirms.

“Okay...” I trail off, confusion masking my face as I look between my brothers.

“That's my dad.” Dixie drops the fucking bomb.