Page 35 of Outlaw Ridge: Griff
Griff looked over the wreckage, then back to her. “Anything worth digging for?”
“There was a metal lockbox in my closet. Fireproof. Supposedly.” She gave a weak smile. “Had my old SAPD badge, some documents, a few personal things.”
“Let’s find it,” he said simply.
They moved toward what used to be her bedroom, picking their way carefully across the debris. But before they reached it, the distant hum of an engine broke the silence.
Lily’s head snapped up, and Griff immediately stepped in front of her, body angled protectively as they both turned toward the road. A second later, a truck rolled into view.
Rhett’s.
Griff didn’t relax. Neither did she. Not until the vehicle came to a slow stop at the edge of the property and the driver’s door creaked open.
Lily felt her stomach tighten. “What the hell is he doing here?” she muttered.
Rhett climbed out of the truck and walked toward them, his pace stiff but not from the gunshot wound. It was his posture, the way he held himself like he had something to prove. Just as he always did.
Lily didn’t move. Neither did Griff.
“I’m invested in this investigation too,” Rhett said as he drew closer. “I got shot because of it, remember?”
Lily didn’t answer. The fact that shecouldn’ttrust him—someone who used to wear the same badge—twisted something in her gut. She wanted to believe he was here for answers. For the truth. But the timing was too perfect. The tension too thick. And she couldn’t shake the feeling that he might be here to gloat.
Or stir up trouble.
“It’s all over town,” Rhett went on, glancing toward the charred remains of her house before returning his gaze to her. “Word is you’re hauling in Everett and Catherine Langston for questioning.” He scoffed. “Everett’s too much of a pussy to have killed Hannah.”
Lily stayed silent. She wasn’t going to dignify that with a response, not when it was delivered with the same casual venom Rhett used to throw around in every direction.
Rhett huffed, frustrated with her silence. “We’re on the same side, you know. I want justice served as much as you do.”
Griff stepped forward, his tone even. “What about your legacy?”
Anger lit Rhett’s eyes like a match to dry brush. He looked between them, jaw clenched. “It was obviously a mistake coming here,” he muttered. “Fuck this. Fuck you.” He turned on his heel and made his way back to the truck.
Neither Lily nor Griff said a word as he climbed in and slammed the door. The engine roared to life, and within seconds, the truck was gone, spitting gravel behind it.
Lily exhaled slowly, the tightness in her chest not easing. She still had no idea what Rhett really wanted. But one thing was clear. Whatever side he claimed to be on, he was only out for himself.
They stepped carefully through the wreckage, ash and broken glass crunching beneath their boots. The air smelled ofdamp smoke and something sharp, metallic. Lily kept her eyes low, scanning the blackened remains of what had once been her bedroom.
Then she saw it.
The corner of a scorched rug had curled back, revealing the fireproof lockbox beneath it. The paint was blistered, but the box itself looked intact. She crouched, brushed away some debris, and pried it loose. It was warm, but it didn’t burn.
Lily tucked it under her arm and slowly stood, her eyes sweeping over the rubble one last time. There wasn’t much else left. The mirror was shattered. Her dresser had collapsed under a beam. Anything that hadn’t burned had been soaked through or warped beyond recognition.
“This is it,” she said quietly.
Beside her, Griff nodded. “You squared away with the insurance company?”
“Yeah,” she said. “Fully covered. I might rebuild.” She glanced back at the ruin of her porch. “Eventually. In the meantime, I’ll need to find a place to rent.”
Griff opened his mouth, and she knew exactly what he was about to say.You can stay with me. As long as you want.
She didn’t let him.
“Don’t say it,” she said, giving him a look as she adjusted the weight of the box in her arms. “You’ve already done more than enough.”
