Chapter 24
Xavier
The chopper banked toward the homestead, and I leaned closer to the window, watching the landscape unfold below.
The homestead itself sprawled across the land.
A collection of buildings and sheds connected by dirt tracks, all centered around a large house with a wrap-around verandah and white timber railings.
The view looked like something straight out of an Australian postcard.
I'd traveled to dozens of countries, but I hadn't seen anything like this. This was raw. Real. A world so completely foreign to mine that it was like I'd landed on another planet.
My gaze drifted to the woman beside me. Cassidy sat rigid, her jaw tight, fingers drumming on her jeans.
She belonged to this place in a way I'd never belonged anywhere—rooted deep in the red earth and scorching sun.
And God help me, I wanted to know more. Wanted to understand what made her tick, what kept her fighting for this place even when it seemed determined to kill her.
As the chopper descended onto a patch of grass at the side of the homestead, a plume of dust followed an SUV that was racing up the driveway at a speed that seemed reckless even by Outback standards.
"Son of a bitch," Kayden spat. "Bob's already here."
I frowned at Cassidy. She caught my look and leaned closer, her voice just loud enough to carry over the rotors. "Bob Ackerman, senior sergeant at Winton Police Station. He's also Frank's only friend."
Mitch twisted in the front seat to look at me, his intense eyes locking on mine. "Can I ask a favor?"
"Of course."
"Leave the talking to us." His tone was measured, but there was an edge beneath it. "And we'd appreciate you not mentioning that money. Or that Frank is missing."
I held his gaze and nodded. "You have my word."
"Good man." Mitch turned back toward the front.
Cassidy's hand brushed the back of mine. The smallest touch, barely there, but it said everything. Thank you.
The chopper touched down, kicking up a cloud of red dust that swirled around us. I unbuckled and jumped out, then turned to help Cassidy. She took my hand as she stepped down, but when she glanced at me, her gaze swept over my shoulder.
Mitch had seen her hold my hand. His expression made it clear he did not approve.
I'd dealt with some of the toughest negotiators in the world.
Winning people over was one of my greatest skills, whether through charm, persistence, or reading the room better than anyone else.
But I didn't want to win the Branson family's approval through calculated moves or fake charm.
For the first time in my life, I was going to be myself.
The real Xavier. I wanted them to like me for who I was, not my money or the Hawthorne name.
Kayden and Mitch took the lead, and I walked beside Cassidy, heading toward the homestead. Two dogs came tearing around the side of the homestead, racing toward us like they were set to attack. They skidded to Cassidy's side, wagging their tails.
"Hey, fellas, miss me?" She ruffled one of the dog's ears. "I'll feed you soon, go on." She flicked her hand, and the dogs raced away.
"Wow, they're obedient," I said.
"My best dogs. Pluto and Venus," she said with a smile.
We didn't even make it to the back steps before a man in a police uniform burst onto the back verandah, his face twisted in a scowl that could crack coconuts. His belly strained against his shirt, hanging over his belt as he planted his hands on his hips.
Behind him came another man with dark, wavy hair, a short beard, and broad shoulders. He looked like an older, slightly less volatile version of Kayden.
Cassidy leaned close to my ear. "That's my other brother, Declan."
"Cassidy Branson," the policeman barked from the top of the steps. "You've really done it this time."
Cassidy straightened, crossing her arms. “What?”
"Bruce Henderson filed a report.” Bob's face was turning red. “He said you stole his ute, blew up Wayne's truck, and started a fire that burned half their property.”
"What the hell, you haven't even heard my side of the story, Bob."
“I don't have time for this bullshit, Cassidy!"
"Bullshit? What the hell!" Cassidy's voice rose to match his. "Xavier and I nearly died at the eastern outstation because those Henderson bastards lit that fire!"
Bob jerked back like she'd slapped him. "The eastern outstation?"
"Yes, we had to walk there after Bruce's ute ran out of fuel." Cassidy stepped forward, her hands balling into fists. "We barely made it before those psychos torched the bushland around us."
"Shit!" Bob's eyes narrowed. "Where's Frank?"
The question seemed strange, given what Cassidy had just said. Declan kept looking at me, obviously trying to figure out who I was.
Cassidy glanced at her brothers. Mitch's jaw tightened. Kayden shifted his weight, looking anywhere but at Bob.
"We don't know," Mitch finally said.
"You don't know?" Bob's voice climbed an octave. "What the hell does that mean?"
"It means we don't know," Kayden shot back. "He doesn't give us his schedule."
Bob's face went from red to purple, then his gaze landed on me. "Who the hell are you?" He glared at me.
I stepped forward, offering my hand. "Xavier Hawthorne. Nice to meet you."
Bob's scowl deepened. "You're the bloke who beat up the brothers at the pub. Bruce has filed a report against you, too."
"That’s crap. Those bastards started it," Cassidy yelled.
"Not what I heard," Bob said.
"Yeah, and who'd you get that bullshit from? Bruce?" Cassidy put her hands on her hips. "He's a liar, and you know it."
"And others," Bob added.
"Well, they're lying, too. Those assholes ganged up on Xavier and beat him."
"Well, I put up a good fight," I said, looking at her.
She shot me a look that was half exasperation, half amusement.
"Jesus Christ, you lot are bloody idiots." Bob jabbed a finger toward Kayden. "Take me to the eastern outstation. Now."
Kayden shot his gaze to Mitch, then back at Bob. "No can do, officer. I've got a mob of cattle coming in this morning that needs to be processed. Can't leave Declan to handle it alone."
Bob whirled to Cassidy. "You're a pilot. Take me there. Now." It wasn't a request.
I cocked my head. She’d never mentioned she was a pilot.
Cassidy squared her shoulders. "Okay, I'll fly you, but Xavier's coming with me."
"The hell he is."
"He's my witness, Bob. He saw everything. And Mitch is coming, too."
Bob looked like he wanted to argue, but Cassidy's expression confirmed she was not backing down. He threw up his hands. "Let's go." He strode toward the chopper.
Kayden leaned toward us. "Don't fucking tell him about that cash," he whispered, his jaw tight.
"We won't." Cassidy swiped his chest with the back of her hand. “We’re not idiots. Tell Declan what we found. Okay?”
“I will.” Kayden nodded.
As Cassidy, Mitch, and I strode after Bob, Cassidy said, "Something's not right."
"I got those vibes, too," Mitch said.
"Oh, good,” I added. “Glad it wasn't just me."
"Just play it cool," Mitch said.
Cassidy brushed my hand. "The cottage was ruined when we got there, right?"
"Yep. It was a bloody mess." I winked at her.
A smile wobbled across her lips.
"You didn't tell me you could fly a helicopter," I said.
She wriggled her brows. "Sure can. You’d better hang on."
This woman was incredible. Tough as nails, could fly a helicopter, run a cattle station, and stand up to police officers without flinching. A flicker of hope sparked in my chest. Hopefully, I wasn't her brother after all because the way I felt about her went much deeper than any sibling connection.
The flight back to the outstation was tense. Bob sat up front with Cassidy, his bulk cramping the small cockpit. Mitch and I squeezed into the back, and the vibes he was giving me were not the brotherly kind, that was for sure.
When we landed, Bob practically threw himself out of the chopper before the rotors stopped spinning. He stormed toward the cottage, and Cassidy, Mitch, and I raced after him.
The moment Bob stepped inside and saw the stripped walls, the exposed cavities, the scattered debris, he skidded to a stop.
"What the fuck happened here?" he roared, spinning on Cassidy.
His face went red, and veins bulged in his neck.
He kicked at a piece of debris, sending it skittering across the floor. "Who the hell did this?"
"It was like this when we got here two nights ago." Cassidy made a show of looking horrified.
"She's telling the truth," I added.
Bob stared at the walls, his chest heaving. However, it wasn't shock on his face. It was panic—raw, unfiltered panic.
He knew exactly what had been hidden in those walls.
I glanced at Cassidy. Her eyes met mine for a split second, and the same realization dawned on her face. Mitch's expression had gone stone-cold.
"Where's … where the hell—" Bob cut himself off, his jaw working.
"We're telling the truth, Bob," Cassidy said. "Those damn Henderson brothers lit that fire. Xavier and I hunkered in the bathtub when that firestorm hit. We're lucky we survived."
"They nearly killed us," I added.
"You should arrest them for attempted murder," Mitch said.
Bob didn't respond. He just stared at those ruined walls, breathing hard through his nose. Then he spun to face us. "Where the hell's Frank?" His voice shook with fury.
Mitch's jaw clenched, his shoulders squaring up. "We told you. We don't know."
"When did you last see him?"
Mitch looked at us and shrugged like he had no idea. "A week ago, maybe two."
"Fuck!" Bob's face contorted, and for a moment I thought he might actually take a swing at Mitch. "And you didn't think to tell me?"
"Why the hell would we?" Mitch scowled. "Frank does his own thing. You know that."
Bob's hands balled into fists at his sides. For a long moment, nobody moved. Then he turned on his heel and stormed out of the cottage. "Get me back to my car," he barked over his shoulder. "Now."