and she was grateful he couldn’t see them in the dark. “Before we go in, I need to ask you something. First, though, thank you. Thank you for being here with me. You didn’t have to, you know. After the trouble I caused you. You’re here in Wyoming instead of working as an undercover agent—that’s because of me, isn’t it?”
“If anything, I should thank you for giving me a reason to get out. Anything else?”
Rae wanted to dig deeper into his comment, but now wasn’t the time. He’d been generous enough and she didn’t want to push him. “Yes. There’s something else. I want to make it official. I want to hire you.”
“Hire me for what?”
“To help me investigate. Are you available?”
“I’ll have to check my calendar.” He grinned. “Obviously my schedule has a few openings.” Liam shifted to hold her gaze. “I’m not sure you should get involved any deeper in this. I know you want to find Zoey, but I’m worried about you. This isn’t safe. You’ve been here a day and look what’s happened.”
She keenly felt his scrutiny. “Then I can hire you for double duty. Bodyguard and investigator.”
“Why can’t I simply help you?”
“I think it would be better if I made it official by hiring you.”
“Oh, I get it. You think I might get frustrated and leave you holding the bag, so to speak.”
Something like that. “Let’s just say that this way there won’t be any question about what’s happening. Plus, if anyone asks, you can say you’re working as a PI. I looked it up. In Wyoming, all you need is—”
“A business card. Meaning, you don’t need a license or certificate. And that’s why you sought me out?”
His gaze was pensive, as if he didn’t want to let her in again. She didn’t blame him. Even though his words sounded stern, the familiar small dimple emerged in his cheek. He couldn’t possibly be happy about her reappearance in his life, could he?
“I couldn’t trust anyone else with this.”
She wanted to say more but was afraid she would shut him down. Liam knew full well why she trusted him. He’d saved her life once already, but what she was sure Liam still didn’t understand . . . I didn’t use you to get a story.
She’d used him to save a life.
His expression hardened.
Yeah. His mind was going back to their dark past.
And so was hers.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
9:47 p.m.
Emerald M Guest Ranch
Liam didn’t want to go there with her. Talking about what happened before wouldn’t fix anything. Rehashing it wouldn’t remove the pain in his leg or the numbness in his heart. She might trust him with her life, but he certainly had trust issues when it came to her. Still, he was tired, and it was late, and someone was missing.
He shoved open his door and hopped from his truck, glad Pete or Leroy had shoveled the area so Rae could easily get out on her side. He said nothing. He needed to let it go. It’s why he’d stayed here for months. And now he found himself with her. A cruel joke.
Just move on, Liam. He’d made the decision to help her, and he couldn’t be much help if he carried resentment around on his shoulders. Even if she’d used him, he needed to forgive her. What he didn’t know was if she’d ever truly felt anything for him.
He hiked around the truck to help her. “Please keep your voice down. We don’t want to wake my brothers and their wives if they’ve already gone to bed.” Even though it was only around ten o’clock, he hoped they’d made an early night of it.
He’d missed dinner, though he’d assured Heath he would be there. So he’d missed saying goodbye. But they wouldn’t be disappointed in him for staying true to character. Regret kicked him in the gut. When he’d come back, he’d wanted to be different.
Liam led Rae to the porch, and they treaded lightly up the steps. He unlocked the door. Years ago, they never locked it. Out here in middle-of-nowhere Wyoming, the only creatures in this edge of the forest that edged the Gros Ventre Wilderness were the wildlife. But recent dangerous incidents that encroached on their quiet ranch had changed their definition of security.
Inside the spacious log home, Liam flipped on a small lamp near the door. The faded aroma of elk burgers still lingered in the air. The dogs, Timber and Rufus, were probably sleeping with their respective owners. The dogs were