Page 15 of Deceit & Desire

From his spot near the fence, Rick let out a low whistle, his voice barely loud enough for me to catch. “She’s got fire. I like it.”

Landon sighed and a muscle in his jaw ticked as he gritted his teeth. “You should have called us. We could have handled things the legal way.”

I threw my hands up in frustration. “We saw a horrible man doing terrible things to an innocent animal that was tied up and couldn’t get away, damn it. I was worried about stopping that asshole before he could hurt the horse any worse, and there’s no telling how long it would have taken a deputy to show up on the scene. Your daddy is a damn fine cattleman and a good man. He would have done the same exact thing Roman did if he was in Roman’s shoes, and you know it.”

When Landon questioned Roman’s actions, Rick’s voice cut in, low and measured. “Deputy, that horse didn’t have the time to wait for red tape and paperwork. Anyone with sense would’ve done the same.”

Landon’s chiseled cheeks turned red, and he bowed his head. I knew my words had struck true, knew that I was right, and his daddy would be ashamed of him for defending someone who’d abuse a horse like that.

Landon turned and strode over to the paddock fence, his gaze trained on the veterinarian. “In your professional opinion, what caused the wounds on that horse?”

The vet paused and looked up, meeting Landon’s gaze. “These wounds were definitely made by a whip, and if I were you, I’d be more concerned about locking up the guy who hurt this horse than trying to screw over the guy who saved it.”

I couldn’t help smiling, and wished I could give her a high five. “I couldn’t have said that better myself.”

Rick stood back again, arms crossed but his gaze steady, as though waiting for the next move. He shifted his weight slightly, letting his gaze flick between Roman and me before raising an eyebrow in silent question.

Roman’s lips twitched faintly, his nod barely perceptible, but an unspoken understanding passed between them as if they’d had an entire conversation.

“Reckon I’ve got work to do,” Rick said, his voice calm and measured. He adjusted his hat, the brim casting a shadow over his dark brown eyes. “Y’all look like you’ve got this handled.”

His gaze lingered on the colt for a moment longer, softening as he gave a small nod toward the animal. Then, without another word, he turned and strode off toward the barn, the quiet authority in his movements marking him as a man who knew his place—and when to step back.

Landon crossed his arms and scowled at me. “Why are you so determined to defend Roman? Last I heard, you two didn’t part on the best of terms when you left to go to Miami.”

“We kissed and made up.” I offered him a palms-up gesture, making sure to flash my engagement ring in the process. “I might disagree with Roman about a lot of things. He might infuriate me sometimes, but I wouldn’t be marrying him if I didn’t know that he’s a man who’s worth my respect and trust. Even if we weren’t getting married, I’d still have something to say about these ridiculous accusations, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let some rich, famous asshole have the sheriff’s department railroad my fiancé for doing the right thing.”

Roman slid an arm around my shoulders and pressed a kiss against my temple while I stared Landon down, raising a brow in challenge.

“Now, do you want to see that video evidence for the sake of actual justice, or are you just here to be some rich, famous asshole’s puppet?”

Landon winced and reached up, rubbing the back of his neck for a second before he held his hand out to me. “Let’s be clear on one thing: I’m not inclined to be anybody’s puppet, much less one who serves that high and mighty Hollywood asshole. I haven’t been a fan of his since he started summering out here and treating most of the locals like second-class citizens who should live and breathe to cater to people like him. Lemme see that video.”

“There’s the Landon Blackwell I grew up with.” I offered him a smile as I passed my phone over to him, with the video of yesterday’s incident all pulled up and ready for him to press play on it.

As Landon watched the video, I watched his face, studying his reactions as he watched how the alleged horse theft really played out. His expression darkened, brow furrowing and lips pressing into a thin line of disapproval. A muscle in his jaw ticked furiously as he watched the video. When he finished and passed it back to me, his brown eyes were blazing with the inner fire all the Blackwells had been known for, ever since they founded this town over two hundred years ago.

“You were right, Zoe. My father would have done the exact same thing Roman did in that situation. Seeing that kind of cruelty to an innocent animal, much less one that was tied up and couldn’t get away, makes me sick to my stomach.”

I leaned into Roman’s touch, drawing strength from his warm, steady presence as I held Landon’s gaze. “So... what are you going to do about the charges Michaelson is trying to bring against Roman?”

“I’m going to inform Mr. Michaelson that there is video evidence of his employee committing a horrific act of animal cruelty and see what he has to say about his bogus charges then. I’m certainly not of a mind to arrest Roman for saving that horse after what I’ve seen on this video. Can I email myself a copy of this video real quick?”

“Be my guest.” I nodded.

Roman cleared his throat and gave my waist a little squeeze. “We understand that you’re between a rock and a hard place, caught between the letter of the law and what you know in your bones is right.”

“Exactly.” I nodded and offered Landon another smile. “We appreciate you even being willing to hear us out and watch the video.”

Roman pushed a piece of gravel around with the toe of his boot. “I’m sure there are some people who might not have been willing to hear our side, video evidence or not.”

“Trust me, I know. “ Landon sighed, and motioned for us to move away from the paddock, so no one else could overhear our conversation. “I’d lose my job if anyone knew I told you this, but you two need to watch your backs. You have enemies within the sheriff’s department.”

Icy fear shuddered through me, raking its claws down my spine, leaving me shivering in its wake. “But who? And why?”

Landon looked around and lowered his voice to a whisper. “Mo Sheridan died about a month ago, and after years of Michael Carter pressuring him, he caved and made a deathbed confession to his nephew Colby Barton, who works with me in the sheriff’s department. Colby also happens to be real buddy-buddy with Michael, who’s always thought the two of you were somehow responsible for Missy’s death. I overheard the conversation Colby and Michael had with Sheriff Spencer that convinced him to re-open the case. Apparently, because of Mo’s close friendship with your father, Zoe, Mo withheld evidence when Missy Carter died… evidence that points to murder, rather than suicide.”

I stared at Landon, dumbfounded and uncomprehending, and a cold, sick, oily feeling settled deep in my gut, tying it in a painful knot. “But why would my father do something like that? Why would he pressure Mo to withhold evidence if Mo thought Missy was murdered?”

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