47. Chapter 47
Chapter forty-seven
Laiken
“Wow,” I breathe out.
I’m speechless. I could tell something was on Parker’s mind during the drive back to Mayson Ridge.
He waited until we were about an hour outside of town and Trace was asleep before he told me the conversation he had with his mom.
The truths she revealed. I wasn’t sure how to process it, so I know it must have been a difficult thing to digest for him.
“How do you feel about all of this?” I ask.
He keeps one hand on the steering wheel, the other on my thigh, drifting his fingers back and forth in a soothing rhythm.
“I’m not really sure, to be honest.” He sighs. “Does it make me an asshole that I want nothing to do with him? Regardless of the fact we share half of the same DNA, he’s not someone I want around me or especially my family.”
I nod in understanding. “No, it makes you human, Parker.”
“It’s just so fucked, you know?” he grumbles. “All that resentment over a man who wouldn’t have given a shit about him either way. He took that pain that someone else caused and projected it onto me and the people I love. To you. To Trace.”
His hand wraps around my thigh, and he squeezes. I love how he touches me when he’s sharing something he feels strongly about. Like he has to be physically tethered to me to say the words. I love being that for him.
“Do I think he was dealt a crappy hand? Yeah. But there are plenty of people who have been dealt the same hardships and don’t go around manipulating and assaulting people.”
“I know.” I wrap my hand around the top of his.
“It’s messed up. It’s unfair. But I don’t want this to get into your head.
I know you.” I lean my head on the headrest and face his profile.
His nose is slightly crooked. His jaw sharp.
He’s beautiful. “None of this is your fault. Don’t take on burdens that were never meant for you to carry. ”
He dips his chin, his chest rising with a deep breath. “You know I don’t deserve you, right?”
“Probably not,” I tease.
We pull into the gates of the ranch, Trace still snoring softly in the back seat. When we round the corner, approaching the house, the sight of a sheriff’s SUV has me perching up in my seat.
“What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure.” Parker rolls us next to the marked vehicle. “No one has called. Have they called you?”
I unlock my phone. “No missed calls.”
When our headlights hit the barn, Cooper, Maddox, Ryder, and a man I don’t recognize step out.
“He’s still sleeping.” I peer back at Trace. “Just leave it running.”
We hop out of the truck, meeting at the front of the hood before we walk to the group.
Maddox stands with his hands shoved in his pockets, his expression blank.
“Hey.” We come to a stop. “Everything okay?”
Ryder speaks first. “Parker, Laiken. This is Memphis. He’s the sheriff in King Valley.”
Parker offers his hand, then I follow suit.
“Nice to meet you.” He nods at Parker, then faces me. “Ma’am.”
When the light from the barn hits him, I can see his features clearly. He’s tall. Almost as tall as Ryder. When he shifts slightly to the left, I notice the jagged scar along the edge of his jaw.
“I’m sorry to come out so late. They said you two were out of town but heading back.”
“We didn’t want to deliver the news while you were driving,” Cooper says.
“What news?” I ask.
“I hope you know this is just protocol. But because you’re Ryder’s family, I made sure I was the one to be here,” Memphis says as he pulls out a notepad.
I glance at Parker, noting the confusion on his face.
“I was told you left Tuesday for Wimberly Cove, correct?” Memphis asks.
“Yes. We left Tuesday morning about eight,” I clarify.
“And where did you stay?”
“With my mom.” Parker runs a hand over his face. “Can you tell us what the hell is going on?”
Memphis jots down his answer. “And you just got back to town, correct?”
“Yes,” I answer, my patience slipping. “What happened?”
Memphis shoves the tiny notebook into his pocket before he delivers the most unexpected news.
“Rhodes McDowell was found dead in his rental.”
My heart drops.
“What?” I gasp.
“His agent couldn’t get a hold of him since the night he was released. Called us for a welfare check. He was found this morning.”
My hand comes up to my mouth. “I…oh my God.”
“I wanted to come tell you in person as a courtesy. Also because his cause of death is still under investigation. Our medical examiner is looking into it.”
Parker reaches up to drag a hand up and down my arm. “We appreciate you coming all the way out here.”
He nods. “Not a problem. Questions about your whereabouts are nothing to be alarmed about. Given you had an altercation with him and she filed a restraining order, it’s just basic police work.”
I think I’m in shock. I feel numb.
I clear my throat. “I, uh…thank you.”
“Not a problem. If there are any new developments, I’ll let you know.” He goes to leave but turns back to us. “Make sure Ryder is getting enough sleep. He looks like shit.”
Ryder flips him off as we watch him climb into his SUV, then back out of the drive.
I wait until his taillights disappear before I turn to face my brother. “This is the only time I will ask.” I swallow past the lump in my throat. “Did you hurt him?”
Maddox rolls his shoulders back, clearly not surprised I asked. “No. I didn’t hurt him.”
I take a deep breath. “Okay then.”
I hold in the urge to cry when relief washes over me at the fact that he’s gone. But then guilt hits in equal measure. He lost his life. And what kind of person does that make me if I’m not even sad about it?