Page 50 of Guys Like Him

He held Kieran’s gaze and said, “You think Cash is the puppet master.” Finley didn’t frame his remark as a question. He knew fully well what Kieran suspected. “And you deliberately sought out Cash’s K9 program at the jail, hoping to learn more about him and make a good enough impression to get an invitation to work on the ranch.” Again, he didn’t ask.

“At first, I just wanted to see if Cash recognized my name,” Kieran said. “I suspected Ritchie was involved in a rash of car thefts but knew he didn’t act alone. Cash felt like a good fit for the person pulling the strings. If that were so, he would’ve known about my connection to Ritchie and my arrest.”

“Do you think he recognized you?”

“Not that I could tell, but I didn’t expect him to give much away.”

“But you stuck with the program?” Finley asked.

Kieran gave him a genuine smile. “I fell in love with the dogs. Patsy in particular. Then I heard about Redemption Ridge, and it made me even more suspicious of Cash’s character. I made it my mission to see what was going on here. If there was a way to tie Ritchie and Cash to the car theft ring, I wanted to find it.”

“And have you reached a verdict?” Finley asked.

Kieran lifted his free hand and cupped the back of Finley’s neck. “No. So far, all I’ve found is a hell of a lot of hard work and some wonderful people, but that doesn’t mean my initial suspicions were wrong. The stolen camera equipment proves my point. The security guard was probably in on it if that’s what he really was. We were dumb to think Ritchie wouldn’t have scouts monitoring any transactions going down. Someone followed us to the motel and stole the camera out of the truck when we were in the room.” Kieran’s expression softened. “Just to be very clear, my only regret that night was letting you down. The moments we shared in that shitty room are branded on my soul. I owe you an apology for my behavior, and you’ll have it. Let’s just sort out the stuff with Cash first.”

Finley nodded, though he’d already forgiven Kieran. “Why did Redemption Ridge make you more suspicious about Cash?” The answer was probably obvious, but he was too biased in Cash’s favor to see it clearly. Kieran’s cheeks flushed, and the dread Finley had seen earlier returned. “This stays between us, and I will not judge you. Tell me what you know or suspect so I can help you.”

Kieran held his gaze for several moments before answering. “Redemption Ridge would make an excellent cover. Find vulnerable guys without families, give them a second chance, earn their trust, and…make them the fall guys for whatever illegal scheme or schemes Cash is running.” There wasn’t an ounce of conviction in Kieran’s voice, and Finley wondered if he realized it.

Finley leaned his forehead against Kieran’s. “I know the world has collectively let you down, and I understand how and why you leaped to that conclusion. But good people do exist, and Cash Sweeney is one of the best.” Kieran stiffened, and Finley knew he needed to walk the tightrope. One false move could mean disastrous results. Kieran trusted him, and he couldn’t blow it. “Don’t lock yourself down again. I believe you, Kieran. I don’t know how or why my camera equipment ended up in his office, but I will give Cash an opportunity to explain himself. It’s the least I can do because I have seen this man work miracles.” Finley reached up and carded his fingers through Kieran’s inky locks. “Ivan has been here for five years. I know there’s no love lost between the two of you, but he can smell a bullshitter ten miles away. He’d lay down his life for Cash. These guys aren’t without families. They earn vacation time like everyone else with a job. Sometimes they go home to visit and sometimes their families come here. Cash hosts them at the ranch when they do. Those aren’t the actions of a man who plans to use their sons and brothers as bait.”

Kieran inhaled sharply and let his head fall back against the couch, exposing his throat and tempting Finley. “I feel really foolish.”

“Huh-uh,” Finley said, giving in and sucking Kieran’s Adam’s apple into his mouth. “Anyone in your position would’ve thought the same thing.” Kieran gripped his hips and pulled him closer. “And Cash has some serious explaining to do.” He sat upright and reached for his back pocket. “In fact, I’d like to hear his explanation right now.” Kieran rested his hands on Finley’s thighs as he dialed. The call went straight to voice mail, which was odd for Cash. When prompted to leave a message, Finley said, “I have two words for you: Ritchie Alvarez. And here’s two more words: camera equipment. Call me back ASAP.” Finley’s phone rang before he could return it to his pocket. He tapped the button to accept and said, “Kieran and I—”

“Put me on speakerphone.” Cash’s voice was barely above a whisper.

Finley complied and said, “We’re both here.”

“Damn Hardy Boys,” Cash growled. There wasn’t an ounce of anger in his voice, just mild annoyance and something that sounded like…respect?

“And you would’ve gotten away with it too if not for us pesky kids,” Finley replied, mimicking the Scooby Doo villains. They were only missing a dog and a few more sidekicks to complete the Mysteries, Inc. gang.

A soft chuckle came through the speaker. “Listen, guys, I will explain everything when I get home.”

“Now works better for us,” Kieran replied.

Cash exhaled a weighted sigh. “I wish I could, but I really can’t. I promise everything will make sense, but I can’t get into it over the phone. If my luck holds, I’ll be back sooner than I’d planned.”

“How much sooner?” Finley asked.

“I hope by morning.” A man in the background murmured something low that they couldn’t quite make out, but it spurred Cash into action. “I don’t have the right to ask for a favor right now, but I’m going to do it anyway. Stay at the ranch tonight and stop digging into things that could get you hurt.”

Finley hadn’t looked away from Kieran’s eyes, so he saw the moment resignation crept into his obsidian gaze. “We agree but reluctantly.”

“Fair enough. Thanks,” Cash said before disconnecting.

Finley stared down at his phone for a few moments before tossing it onto the couch. It was too much to expect either of them to feel better about the pending conversation with Cash. Finley had more questions than answers, and he would wait patiently to get them. It was time to pivot to another equally awkward conversation.

“About the diner…”

Kieran tensed and probably would’ve slammed his shields down if Finley hadn’t acted fast. He cupped Kieran’s face and planted a hard kiss on his lips. Finley pulled back and said, “Don’t say it doesn’t matter. I saw the look on your face and knew the conclusions you’d reached. I matter to you, and you matter to me.”

Kieran swallowed hard and pressed a brief kiss to Finley’s lips. “Some might say you matter too much.”

Finley kissed him back, longer this time but still without tongue. “No such thing,” he whispered when he pulled away. “My mom and sister staged an intervention when I started moping over you. And maybe I was, but I still had a productive week. I searched every pawn shop from here to Denver.”

“So that’s where you went. The rumor around the ranch was that you were seeing someone. Then I saw you with…”

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