Page 113 of Wildest Dreams

“Of course I looked into you, especially when I found out your history with Clay.”

Shit.

“He won't get near you Dixie, not whilst you're under our roof,” and I swallow the bile that is slowly creeping up my throat.

“He has threatened me,” and I clasp my hand over my mouth, eyes bugging as I shrink that I so freely blurted that out.

“What?” Riggs hisses, his tone sharp but he keeps his voice down so Tripp doesn't hear.

I nod, tears streaming down my cheeks.

Riggs steps further into the room, closing the door softly behind him and I am grateful Lainey is downstairs with Orla.

“Tell me everything,” he stands over me, hands on his hips, his eyes burning down into mine and I can feel the fire radiating behind my eyes.

“They want the goldmines; they want the land.” I choke out.

“I know that bit, what is he threatening you with?”

“They wanted me to be their mole.”

And I watch as his nostrils flare, and suddenly he can't look at me. Pure fucking disgust painted over his face.

“Is that why you were back?” and when he finally turns his face to me, I can't even lie my way out of this. “I fucking knew it,” he growls, running his hand over his head, fingers knotting in his curly hair.

“But I haven't spoken to them,” I choke out through sobs, pain splintering through my heart. “Lucian found me after everything went down at the funeral,” tears stream down my face. “I haven't said anything, my lips have been sealed. I have one week until he takes me home to Wyoming.”

I watch the shift in Riggs' expression, it softens ever so slightly before angry Riggs is back with vengeance.

“Have you told them anything?” I shake my head from side to side.

“There was nothing to tell, and as the days passed, I wanted nothing more to do with Lucian.” My breath shudders on my intake of breath, “He told me that if I don't do as he said, he would put a bullet between each of your eyes,” my voice cracks, “and then kill Lainey.” The words burn my tongue as they roll off it and I feel physically sick at the thought.

“Listen,” Riggs lowers himself, wrapping his fingers around the top of my arm as he pulls me to my feet, “no one is getting near you or that little girl.” He steps back, reaching to open thedoor and as he goes to walk out, he spins to face me. “Oh, but Dixie…”

“Yeah?” I answer, palming my cheeks.

“If I find out you're lying, I'll put a bullet between your eyes.”

He walks out the door leaving me in a cold sweat.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

TRIPP

Dixie didn't come back down from her room; Riggs told us all she had a migraine. I was desperate to go up to her, to make sure she was okay, but I couldn't. Mom settled Lainey to sleep and took her up to bed and for the first time in nearly a week, I was sleeping alone.

I knew sleep wouldn't come easy tonight. Since the accident, my sleep is haunted by that day. The day where time stood still and claimed the life of one of our own. But when Dixie is next to me, my sleep is peaceful. She takes all the bad away.

And now I am terrified of falling asleep without her.

So instead of waiting for sleep to come, I drink enough whiskey to settle my mind and eventually, I drift off into a darkness that I can't seem to claw myself out of.

Morning comesand Dixie was nowhere to be seen. Riggs told me last night that they would be up early to go down to where the calves were, but when she didn't kiss me goodbye, I knew something was wrong.

I didn't have long to dwell on it when the physio knocked at the door, and I wheel myself to let her in. Mom had gone to meet dad at the hospital to collect Pacey, so I was here on my own with Lainey, and I was grateful that she went down for her nap a little earlier than usual.

“Morning Tripp, how you doing?” she asks before walking through to the living room.

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