Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
After a restless night on the couch so Ryker could have my room, I was beyond relieved when the light of a new day finally crept through the windows to chase away my cumbersome thoughts.
It might have been the shock of seeing Divine Mercy for the first time since the fire, the odd emptiness that followed my brother’s solemn request of “anyone but him,” or maybe even my idiotic imagination deciding that whoever broke into my house was watching me through the window while a storm raged outside, but I don’t think I slept more than thirty minutes.
At least I was able to spend several of those sleepless hours researching the basics of old truck maintenance—which means I’m basically a certified mechanic now. After that, I dedicated another good chunk of time to Googling the perfect breakfast spot for Dad and me to eat at this morning—a cute little cafe a few towns over that serves German pancakes.
The floor creaks in my father’s bedroom and a churning nervousness takes over my stomach. Today is the day I finally tell him about Austin. I’m really hoping his favorite breakfast food helps soften the blow, but if not, there’s a gun range a half mile from the cafe with an obstacle course he can work me through until he feels better.
The second his door groans open, I pop up from the couch, my smile inverting as he steps into the living room wearing his pressed uniform. “I thought we were going out to eat?”
“Sorry, kiddo.” He meets my eye for a single second before averting his gaze, leaving a heavy blanket of disappointment sitting on my shoulders.
“But we—” I cough to cover up how childish and whiny my voice sounds and try again in a calmer tone. “We haven’t seen each other for more than five minutes in weeks. I really need to talk to you.”
“My hands are tied, kid. Chief texted to say we picked up a drifter last night he thinks might be connected to those fires on the Fourth of July.”
With all the other insanity, I’d nearly forgotten about the hooded figure from the eclipse party and their counterparts from the water tower.
“ Doubt it ,” I mumble under my breath.
“What was that?” Dad’s confused tone snaps me back to the moment.
“Nothing,” I answer quickly. “I was just saying that today is your only day off. Can’t someone else take care of it?”
Still not looking at me, he shrugs. “You don’t say no when the boss asks you to come in. Besides, it’s all hands on deck for the next few weeks until we get these records organized. You should see the basement right now. Boxes from floor to ceiling. The whole department’s a damn fire hazard.”
He winces at his slip of tongue, then he’s scurrying across the living room to grab his keys off the table. Dad angles his body away from me to readjust the tactical backpack slung over his shoulder, almost like he’s trying to hide it.
Ask him where he goes. Ask him what he hides.
For a second, I consider confronting him about the contents of the creepy note. But to do that, I’d need to tell him about the break-in, and I’m still convinced he’ll use it against me when I tell him I’m moving to Austin.
It’s not safe for a young woman to be by herself in a new place.
If someone can get into our home here in Deadwood, what makes you think it won’t happen when you’re on your own in a new city?
Yeah, no. Hard pass. I open my mouth to ask if we can do dinner instead, but he’s already halfway out the door.
“Things will settle down in a few weeks, kiddo. I promise. Love you.”
“Love you, too,” I say, but the door is already clicking shut.
Dad’s cruiser rumbles to life at the same time a floorboard groans behind me and my hair shifts in a light breeze. Lungs seizing, I spin around to face the intruder head on and scream in terror at the large figure before me.
“Jesus, fuck ,” Ryker squawks, jumping a foot into the air as he covers his ears.
Hand clutching my chest, I try to draw in a full breath and apologize, but with my pulse hammering like a battle drum, my lungs refuse to cooperate. Wide-eyed, I try to gulp down air again, but my throat is so dry and scratchy from the scream only a wheeze comes out.
“Hey now.” Ryker crouches so we’re eye level and takes my face in his hands. “I’ve got you. You’re alright. I thought you heard me walk into the room. My bad, Princess.”
Leaning into his touch, I inhale rain-soaked pine and let the warmth of his rough palms seep into my cheeks before forcing myself to concentrate on the rise and fall of his broad chest. Slowly, my inhales start to match his, and after a second or two, I’m finally able to draw in a full breath.
My mind quiets, the last of my adrenaline slipping away like leaves on the wind.
“There she is.” Ryker smiles at me, his moss-green eyes sparkling in the delicate rays of morning light seeping in through the window. My pulse goes crazy all over again. With his raven hair all mussed from sleep, he’s so beautiful it actually hurts to look at him.
Anyone but him.
Guilt slithers into the space between us, cooling my cheeks and constricting around my rib cage. Whatever this thing is with Ryker, it can’t be worth upsetting my brother. Not when I’m leaving in less than a month…
Chest full of lead, I shrug out of his touch, my new position blocking the light from the window and casting a deep shadow across his handsome features. Ryker’s chin dips, the grin slipping from his lips as he stares at the space I created.
“Dad went to Kane’s last night,” I say abruptly, trying to steer my thoughts to safer waters. “They wouldn’t let him onto the property again, but at least he came home with your stuff. Your clothes are washed and in the dryer, and your cell is charging in the kitchen.”
“Thank you.” Ryker takes a step toward me, his bushy brows knitting together when I take an even bigger step away.
“Do you remember anything yet?” I ask breathlessly.
“Not really. Just Kane and I walking around the estate for a bit. Then you were there under the oak tree with me. I’m still not convinced he drugged me.” Ryker brings a hand to the back of his neck and shakes his head. “But it did feel like I was only gone for a few hours. Are you sure?—”
“It was three days .” My tone is harsh, but it’s more from fear than anger. Ryker’s memory is literally gone. I don’t understand why he’s not pissed off or freaking the hell out. “Do you even remember why you went to the estate in the first place? You said you were just going to talk to Kane on the porch for a minute. The next thing I knew, you guys were driving away…”
“No, I don’t.” He sighs. “I know my brother’s fucked up, but there has to be an explanation for what happened. I’m his only ally, he wouldn’t drug me?—”
“Well, something happened,” I say firmly and then soften my tone. “You were completely strung out and no one would even acknowledge anything was wrong. I get that you probably won’t press charges, but at least consider going no contact with Kane.”
Ryker pinches the bridge of his nose and lets loose an exhausted sigh. “Fine, I’ll think about it. But there’s something more important we need to discuss,” he says, voice rising an octave above his usual low baritone. “About what happened on the couch?—”
I hold up two hands to stop him. Whatever he’s about to say will either hurt my feelings or make staying away from him harder. Either way, nothing good can come of it. “I talked to Noah after I brought you home yesterday.”
“You talked to your brother?” Ryker’s face is stoic and unreadable, his voice so flat and inflectionless I almost don’t recognize it.
“ Yeah … He’s glad you’re okay and warned me not to scare you off before he comes home,” I lie, forcing a weak smile that makes my cheeks feel like they weigh a hundred pounds. “I don’t think he’s too thrilled about the idea of you and me being friends.”
Anyone but him.
I take another step backward.
Shoulders stiffening, Ryker drops his gaze to the floor again, glaring at the worn oak planks between us with a heavy brow, as if the growing distance offends him. After a tortuously drawn-out moment with only the rasp of my shallow breathing and the rattle of the AC filling the room, he draws in a breath, cracks his neck, and rolls his shoulders.
Hard green eyes connecting with mine, Ryker crooks a finger, his voice low and dangerously seductive as he beckons me forward. “Come here.”
My knees nearly buckle, and even though I try to ignore the way his gravelly tone resonates in my center, I can’t stop the heat that spreads into my low belly and thighs.
“Ryker, don’t. My brother, he—” I bite my lip because what am I going to say? That Noah’s never asked me for anything except to stay away from his best friend?
“ Willa ,” Ryker warns. “Don’t make me tell you again… ”
Knees trembling, I take one step closer but then stop and shake my head. I can’t do this. I can’t betray Noah’s trust.
“You should call Charlie and check in with her foster parents,” I choke out. “They called five times while you were sleeping.”
Some of the fire fades from his expression, but he’s still simmering when he rakes a rough hand through his hair. “ Fuck .”
My fingers twitch at my sides, the vulnerability laced into that single word threatening to destroy my already flimsy resolve.
Chest aching, I back up another few inches.
“Go call Charlie,” I say, voice clipped. “I’m headed out, so the house will be nice and quiet for you.”
A muscle feathers in his jaw. “Where are you going?”
I smile at him sadly . Anywhere but here.