Page 108 of Wildest Forever

Dusty coughs and it has me spinning my head quickly, cheeks blushing softly at being caught.

“What's the plan with Luke then?”

“Luke?” her voice swarms around me, tucking me up safe.

“Yeah darlin', the coward who broke into your house last night.”

“Who is he?” she asks as she stirs creamer into her coffee and she hasn't even noticed the time, or if she has, she clearly isn't bothered.

“Aspen's ex,” Dusty fills her in and I smirk, eyes loitering on him slightly and I can see just how much he cares for her.

Best of friends those two.

My heart aches a little.

Bit like me and Aspen but I burned that bridge eleven years ago when I spilled truths that weren't only mine.

Sure, it's rebuilt, but it'll never be as strong as it once was.

“Oh,” is all she says. She steps forward and perches herself on my knee at the table and I try my best to keep my cool, but inside I am like a lovesick teen who's ultimate crush has sat on his lap.

Riggs eyeballs me and I look away, not wanting him to make me a joke.

“Do we know what he was after?” she curls her fingers around her cup and my hand finds itself resting on her upperthigh, my fingers tracing slow circles on her skin without a second thought.

“Well, that's where I was hoping you could help us,” and I watch as her eyes widen slightly as she looks at my brother, his eyes on hers. His hair thick and curly and unruly, eyes glisten slightly, his cheeks a little rosy.

“Me?” she stutters.

“Yes darlin', you.”

She swallows and I feel the way her shoulders lift and sag.

“Do you know of anything that your pa would have had that would have been of interest? I am sure Luke is working with the suits, makes sense seeing as he was approached by them way back when,” Riggs clenches his fist and then unclenches.

“No,” she shakes her head softly.

I can see the disappointment that spreads across Riggs' face, he drops his head, and I sigh, my fingers still on her thigh and that's when I twist my head to see Dusty, his mind is ticking, his eyes locked on the mug that sits in the middle of the table.

“What is it Dust?” his reaction piques my interest.

Riggs' brows lift at my words and his narrowed gaze drifts to Dusty.

“He knows something,” Riggs points his finger at him and Morgan twists her face so now we're all looking at him.

“Not necessarily,” he screws his face up, rubbing his hand across his stubble. “But...” he pushes to his feet and after a beat or two Riggs is up. I slip my fingers from my mug then place both hands on her hips, gently lifting her from my lap as we both begin to walk towards where Dusty disappeared to.

He ducks into the living room, Riggs is hot on his heels and Morgan throws me a concerned look, worry etched into her eyes.

My fingers flex beside me before they trace her fingertips.

She freezes when Dusty unhooks a painting from the wall and I hear the soft gasp that leaves her lips. Dusty looks over his shoulder but his eyes trail to her and only her.

“This was just between me and your pops,” he gives her a frown, lips turning down.

She says nothing, just waits with bated breath.

Dusty twists the dial for the safe and it clicks open after four turns.

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