Page 23 of A Deceitful Pact

“Well, let's hear ‘em.” I fold my arms over my chest and wait for him to speak up.

“You said that Hale was FBI, right?”

I nod to confirm while he paces the floor in front of me. “Well, I’ve been looking into it and there ain’t a fuckin’ trace of her on their records.”

I have to admit that is strange, I saw her badge myself.

“Did you know she invited my nephew's girl around to her place yesterday?” I don’t know if I’m being paranoid, but I feel as though he’s testing me.

“I heard somethin’ bout it.” I shrug, not willing to give anything away. Part of me is regretting telling everyone in our fold what I knew when Riley first came to town.

“Maddison told Jace that she never asked her any questions, but I know exactly what Hale’s doing. She’s drawing that girl in, she’s building her trust, and that concerns me.”

“Wait, weren’t you the one who was gonna suggest to Jace that Maddison got closer to Hale, anyway? This is exactly what you wanted,” I point out, starting to feel a little suffocated. I want to protect Riley, I want to believe that she’s not in town to screw us over but, at that same time, I have to keep my wits about me.

“Jace wasn’t happy with that plan, he’s all blindsided and too focused on protecting his girl to see what's happening right in front of him. That invite yesterday was Hale’s move, not mine, and you know me, Sawyer, I like being the one who makes the moves.”

“I think you’re forgetting that Maddison is pregnant with Jace’s kid. Of course, he’s gonna be protective over her.” Hell, I haven’t even knocked Riley up yet, and I understand how he must feel.

“Of course, I get that, I’m not an idiot,” Jamie snaps at me. “I’m just sayin’, now ain’t the time to be dropping our guard. That woman is here in our town for a reason, and we need to know what that reason is.”

“How about Isabel? I hear she was there too. Can’t Eli set her up to do some diggin’?” I can feel myself starting to panic. Jamie Sullivan is not the kinda man you want on your back.

“Come on, Sawyer, you know that Eli don’t tell his wife a damn thing. We need to keep this sheriff situation under control. Hayden's been trying, but he’s gettin’ nowhere. We need to try something different.”

“What kinda something?” I narrow my eyes.

“Well, the two of you do have history.” He lifts his shoulder and pouts.

“Wait…you want…no. That ain’t happening.” I shake my head in refusal.

“Come on, Sawyer. You're handsome, you got charm. She fell for it once, I’m sure you can get her to fall for it again.”

“Jamie, did it ever occur to you that she just wanted out of the FBI, and somewhere quiet to settle?” I was just as suspicious as he was when Riley came to town, but I know better now. She may have her secrets but she’s not here to stir up shit. She just wants to be a mom. Why she’s so intent on being a single one is still a mystery but that's a head fuck for another day.

“No, it didn’t, because coincidences don’t happen in Clearwater Creek. I keep thinkin’ about that job you were doin’ the night you met her. You sure you were clean?”

“We’ve been over this, Jamie.” I grip my hair in frustration. “And I’ve pulled off enough jobs for you to know how thorough I am. Her being here now, ain’t connected.”

“Yeah, well, I’d much prefer to keep our enemy a little close, and you're the man for the job. Make nice, do some flirtin’, do whatever it was you did to get her out of her panties the first time.”

I have to clench my fists to stop myself from swinging at him. “Come on, Sawyer, fuckin’ a pretty girl gotta beat gettin’ more blood on your hands.” He taps me on the shoulder as if all this is one big joke, then, turning around, he heads back out the door.

“Son of a bitch,” I growl, gripping hold of the work surface and counting down from ten to calm myself. I should have kept my damn mouth shut about who she was. Jamie being paranoid is all my fault, and I have no choice but to do as he says because if I don’t, I can guarantee he’ll find a man who will.

I head back out to the barroom, surprised when I see Daphne, Jean, and Eleanor all standing at my bar.

“Evening, ladies.” I put on a smile for ‘em. “Lookin’ to make some trouble tonight?” Eleanor and Daphne blush, while Jean rolls her eyes.

“Actually, we’re off to the Walkers to play whist…I just thought I’d stop by and return these.” Jean is wearing a huge, clever grin as she pulls my work gloves from her handbag and places them on the bar. “I found them in the ladies’ room, of all places.” All three of them stare at me, waiting for an explanation.

“And how do you know they’re mine? This is the only brand Eamon Jefferies stocks in his store, I can’t be the only man in Clearwater Creek with these gloves?” I lift them up and examine them as if I’m unfamiliar with them.

“We know. Just last week, you ripped the stitching between the thumb and forefinger on that barbed wire you untangled from that stray cat's hind leg. Don’t you remember? He’d been crying down the alley behind my salon for hours, and you found him buried under all those trash bags. I offered to repair it for you, but you refused.” Daphne points to the fresh stitching. “I took the liberty of putting it right before we returned them.” She smiles.

“You old gals don’t miss a thing, do ya?” I shake my head and place the gloves on the shelf behind me. “How about a drink for your troubles, on the house?” I offer.

“We have to get to whist,” Eleanor speaks for all three of them, though I can see from the disappointment on Daphne's face that she’d much prefer to stay.

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