Page 50 of Rough Ride

Eli looked out over the Honolulu Harbor and tried to pay attention to Conner Dillon. He’d set up the meeting to deal with possible problems at the ranch. He could have done it over the phone or videoconference, but since he was there, he figured he would check out the new offices.

“You’re not hearing a damned thing I’m saying.”

He glanced at the former FBI agent and shook his head. “Sorry. Didn’t get much sleep last night.”

Eli turned and walked back over to the desk.

“You have a good right to be preoccupied,” Conner said with a stern look.

“What are you talking about?” And how did the man know about his night with Crysta?

“Well, rustling here isn’t that common. We know it happens, but this looks like it was more to give you shit. And that means it’s the family. They are going to be a constant thorn in your side. Although, I’m kind of surprised that Sam could pull it off. He’s not that much smarter than his father.”

“There’s Sean.”

“Believe me, I’m trying to find something out on him. It’s like he’s a ghost.”

“What do you mean?”

“He goes over to Japan, Jakarta…hell, he’s been all over the Far East. But I have no record of what he is doing and when I look into his money, I hit roadblocks. I don’t like that.”

From the determined gleam in Dillon’s gaze, Eli didn’t want the man after him in the future. He was the epitome of the FBI man who always got his man.

“Also, I want to start considering the finances of your employees. I know Crysta’s clean.”

“Clean?”

Dillon nodded looking over the paperwork. “I looked into her, Eli. I had to. You didn’t have any problems until she came around.”

“What the bloody hell does that mean?”

Dillon leaned back in his chair and studied him for a moment. Eli didn’t like it. It made him uncomfortable. “I didn’t know you were involved.”

“Of course, we are. We own the ranch together.”

Another beat of silence. “Okay, let me say this another way. I didn’t know you were sleeping with her.”

“I’m not.”

Dillon narrowed his gaze. “I think you need to rethink that answer.”

“Okay, I did. But just once, and we agreed that it wasn’t a good idea. Now, though, we have an agreement that we won’t do it again. It’s bad for business.”

“Indeed?” Dillon asked.

His deadpan look did nothing to reassure Eli. “Yes.”

“Okay, but like I said, she looks clean.”

“Because she is.”

“I need to look at the other people on your ranch as well. Whether you want to believe it or not, you probably have someone on the ranch who sold you out.”

“Yeah. I agree.”

“It will take me a few days. Maybe a week. I have them all on file already, except any new hires.”

“Danny Aiona’s working for me.”

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