Page 36 of Unmasked Legacy

“I only agreed to help you, Mera, to get you out of town because it is causin’ an uproar, and when there is an uproar, it causes problems for me and my business.”

I bite my tongue, seeing he is in no mood for an argument.

“Well, are we going to the river then?”

He nods sharply.

This should be fun.

WE ARRIVE AT THE RIVERwithin only ten minutes of being on the bike. We have to walk down a small trail to reach it,but when we do, I gasp at how pretty it is. I never came here as a child, mostly because I wasn’t allowed. Teenagers tend to hang out here, and my parents didn’t want me to see anything untoward.

I missed out, though.

That much is apparent now as I look down at the gorgeous scene before me. The river glistens under the warm sunlight, its waters flowing effortlessly over smooth, time-worn rocks. The sound of the current creates a soothing harmony. The rocks, varying in size and shape, are scattered throughout the river, some partially submerged, others forming small islands that people can sit on. The air is fresh and crisp, carrying the earthy scent of the surrounding forest. It's an enchanting scene, a perfect blend of nature's power.

“Oh,” I gasp. “Oh, this is spectacular.”

Wolfe stares at me. “You never came here?”

I shake my head. “No.”

“Fucked many women here,” he murmurs.

I purse my lips. “Seriously?”

He winks at me.

Dick.

Talk about taking away from the moment.

“Look around, see if you can find anything that stands out.”

“Yes, boss,” I mumble, stepping over a heap of rocks and beginning my walk down the left-hand side of the river.

I’m mostly distracted in thought about Wolfe and the scene earlier. He is testing me, but maybe it’s only fair that I return the favor. He is so sure that he will never sleep with me, and that I will beg him for it, but what if I could make it go the other way? What if I could have him begging for me? It’s a devious thought, and a little risqué, but I could use the distraction. I think it might be fun.

Plus, it will serve him right to have something thrown back at him.

Stepping over a pile of rocks, I pause, moving backward as I notice something under a pile of leaves. Squatting down, I shove some rocks out of the way and push the leaves aside to see an old, worn, wooden box. Lifting it up, I call Wolfe over before opening the lip to reveal the contents. There is a picture of the historic library in town, and over the picture there are words written in white marker –Where stories sleep, and truth leaks.

Beneath the photo is a small dog tag, and on that dog tag there are initials carved.W.C.C.W

Wolfe reaches me and immediately takes the dog tag out of my hand, holding it up and staring down at it. He flinches before reaching out and snatching the photo from my hand. He glances down at it, his jaw so tight I wonder if he’s about to snap. A low growl escapes his throat as he shoves the dog tag into his pocket and looks up at me. “This fucker is enjoying this.”

That much is clear.

“Do you know what those initials mean?”

Wolfe shakes his head.

“So, do we go to the library?”

Wolfe nods, sharply.

“It’s closed until ten.”

I pull my phone out, glancing at the time. It’s only nine thirty. An idea springs to my mind, and I wonder if I have the courage to pull it off. I have decided I am going to play Wolfe’s little game, so I might as well start now.

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