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“We don’t even know if Madeline is behind any of this.”
“Don’t we?” Wade crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing. “What purpose does a male Australian dancer have for going through your things? There’s only one reason why he’d find any of that interesting, and only one person that connects the three of you. If you even think that there is a slim chance Madeline is innocent in this, then you’re not as smart as I gave you credit for.”
Shane’s eyes flashed with a warning.
“Are you two going to argue all afternoon or will you be coming in for that lunch I cooked for you?” Eloise’s question was directed at Shane, but her eyes shifted to Wade. “I guess you’re welcome to stay if you’d like. But the food is getting cold, so one way or another, Shane is coming.”
Wade glanced at Shane. “Just keep me up to date.”
“Then answer your phone when I call,” Shane muttered as he turned toward the house.
* * *
Wade liftedhis head as the lights of a vehicle came into view. He got to his feet, making sure it was clear that he was waiting for Brielle’s return. The lights blinded him, making it hard to focus. Lifting his arm, he attempted to shade his eyes, but it did nothing.
The Jeep came to a stop, music blasting from the radio, only to get louder as the door was pushed open. Tad climbed out first, waving at Wade as he headed around the front of his vehicle. What Wade wouldn’t give to wipe that smug smile right off the man’s face.
Calm. He needed to stay cool and collected if he wanted to gain back the ground he’d lost when he clocked Tad a few days ago.
The door shut and Tad led Brielle up the steps, pausing when he came to Wade. “Evening, mate. What have you been up to?”
Wade’s eyes narrowed. He’d been fretting, that’s what he’d been up to. His chores at the ranch were suffering. His relationship with his siblings was strained. But the most important person in his life was likely in danger, and he needed to fix that before he could work on the other stuff.
Brielle’s eyes darted between the two of them and she cleared her throat. “I had a nice time today, Tad. Thank you.”
Tad grinned at her like he didn’t have a shiner. His gaze briefly landed on Wade and then he leaned forward. It was like Wade was watching the event in slow motion. As much as he wanted to stop it, he couldn’t. To put his hands on Tad again would spell definite destruction.
Then Brielle did the unexpected.
She turned her face a few inches, forcing Tad’s impulsive kiss to land on her cheek. The man pulled back, an almost indiscernible disappointed reaction emanating from his eyes. “I’ll see you tomorrow, love,” he said. Then he gave an abrupt nod to Wade. “Mate.”
It took all his willpower not to roll his eyes and groan at the way this insufferable man could act so… ridiculous. He had to know what he was doing. There was no way Tad thought everyone liked him.
Wade watched Tad hurry down the steps and toward his Jeep. He half-expected Brielle to tell him to get out of there, too, but she didn’t. She stood by him watching in silence. When Tad pulled away, Wade faced her only to find she was heading for the door.
His hand shot out and wrapped around her wrist. “Bri, wait.”
She jerked her hand from him, hurt and frustration pouring from her expression. “What are you doing?” she hissed. “I told you that waiting for me when I’m on a date is breaking the rules.”
“No, you said that being sneaky was against the rules. Tad saw me. No sneakiness.” He wasn’t sure, but he could have sworn her eyes softened and her mouth twitched.
Brielle pushed his shoulder with two of her fingers. “Regardless. I don’t think you’re ready for the conversation we need to have.”
His heart dropped to his stomach. She was probably right. Based on the tone of her voice, she was still mad about what had taken place between him and Tad. If only he could tell her what Tad had said and be guaranteed she believed him. That would make thisconversationso much easier. As it stood, he would need to figure out a way to knock down her defenses.
“Let me have it. Whatever you want to say, just say it.” His voice was soft, and he hoped it sounded at least a little humble. If she got even a whiff of him being dishonest, that was it.
Her brows lifted.
“I mean it. I can take whatever it is you need to say.”
Brielle tilted her head, stepping closer to him. “What if I said that I couldn’t trust you anymore? What if I told you that the act of violence I witnessed was enough to prove who I should be dating?”
He flinched at her words. He’d gone over and over in his head what she might say to him, but that wasn’t even on the radar. He’d expected her to tell him that jealousy didn’t look good on him. Or that he needed to treat Tad with respect no matter how much he hated the guy. But to throw him to the curb? Wade didn’t think he could stomach that sort of permanence.
She let out a derisive laugh. “See? I didn’t think you were ready for this conversation. I’ve had a long time to think about this and—”
“You’re right.”
