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“Of course.”I hold his gaze for another beat, then he releases me, bowing slightly.
“Your Highness.”
“Mr.Gates.”
He turns and makes his way across the room, opening the door and stepping into the hallway.Giving me one last smile, he closes the door behind him, disappearing from view.
I fall onto the couch and bury my head in my hands.
I don’t know what to believe, who to trust.
All I do know is this man with a scar is real.
And I need to find out who he is.Why he’s haunting me.
Regardless of any promises I may have made to Jameson Gates.
ChapterThirteen
Creed
The tiresof my car crunch against the uneven dirt road, kicking up a cloud of dust in its wake.I squint through the haze, spotting an isolated house among the endless acres of farmland.Never in a million years would I have anticipated Hayes Barlow hiding out in a place like this.
Then again, I didn’t exactly picture myself paying him a visit to begin with.
But I need answers and he may be the only person who can help.
I’d hoped I could get those answers without resorting to this.Over the past week, I’ve spent every free hour going through all the security footage from the opera, as well as doing detailed background checks on everyone in attendance, along with their known acquaintances, in the hopes of tracking down this man with a scar.
Unfortunately, it’s only left me with more questions than answers.
And I need answers.
Esme needs answers.
After witnessing her succumb to one of the worst night terrors I’ve ever seen, one where even my voice calling out to her did nothing to bring her back, I knew I had to do something to get her these answers.
Even if it means asking for help from the one man I swore I’d never speak to again.
I steer my car past a wooden gate and onto the long driveway, stopping beneath a tall maple tree.Shutting off the engine, I step out and study the two-story farmhouse — white clapboard siding, wraparound porch, and black shutters.The scent of freshly mowed grass surrounds me, a stark contrast to the city air.I look out over the expanse of land, every square inch growing various crops.
“Captain Lawson.”
I snap my eyes back to the house as Hayes steps onto the porch, the screen door slamming shut behind him.His white t-shirt clings to his body, damp with sweat, and dust covers his jeans and work boots, presumably from working in the fields all day.He looks weathered.Worn out.More so than he did a few weeks ago.It’s obvious the news about Callie Sloane’s death still wears on him.
“The man with a scar,” I begin, dispensing with pleasantries.“What did you tell my brother about him?”
He crosses his arms in front of his chest and leans against the porch railing.“Am I to assume you’ve had some time to think about out last conversation?”
I glower at him, not willing to give him any more information than necessary.The last thing I plan on telling him is that the Princess Royal has been seeing this man with a scar in her dreams and is convinced that’s who killed Adam and tried to kill her a few months ago.
“I’m just trying to do my due diligence here.If by some chance you’re not responsible for killing my brother, I need to make sure the person who is can be brought to justice.”
He pushes off the porch.“Come on.”He waves for me to follow as he walks toward the door.“This isn’t exactly the type of conversation we can have out here.”
I hesitate.I still don’t fully trust this guy.Don’t know what game he’s playing.
He opens the screen door and glances over his shoulder.When he sees I haven’t moved, he allows the door to shut and turns back toward me, lifting his shirt to reveal his torso and waist.
