Chapter 45 MAYBE A WARNING
I sat across the couch in the sitting room, slowly taking in the sheer luxury of the apartment. From the sparkling floors to the carefully arranged flower vase and the massive chandelier hanging above, everything spoke of nothing but wealth and excess.
Of course—what was I expecting?
I rolled my eyes just as the sound of footsteps echoed from the staircase leading to the upper floor. The two men had left me alone for barely five minutes, yet it already felt like an eternity. When the figure finally appeared, it was only Mr. Lennox’s assistant.
“Can I remind you that I don’t have all the time in the world?” I said sharply as he approached.
“He will be joining us shortly. You’re the one who asked to speak with him, so it would be helpful if you exercised a little patience,” he replied. His voice remained calm, though the frustration beneath it was impossible to miss. I rolled my eyes in annoyance.
“Would you like something to drink?” he added.
That was the least of my concerns. I shot him a glare, and he immediately raised his hands in defense.
“Excuse me for asking,” he said before turning and heading toward the kitchen.
Just then, Mr. Lennox walked in.
A towel hung loosely in his hands as he wiped his damp hair. I stared, disbelief creeping in.
Did he seriously keep me waiting just so he could take a shower?
This man had to be kidding me.
He moved to the couch opposite me and sat down with effortless confidence. His legs crossed casually, damp hair falling slightly over his face, the towel now resting around his neck. It was unsettling seeing him dressed in nothing but a T-shirt and loose pants. He didn’t look natural like this—too relaxed, too human.
One would never believe this was the same man who lived in designer tailored suits. I could almost imagine him sleeping in one.
I hadn’t realized how hard I was staring until his gaze lifted and caught mine. I immediately tore my eyes away, but it didn’t stop the awareness of him. I could still feel his gaze lingering, heavy, as my eyes kept betraying me by drifting back to him.
“Can I ask you a question?” he said, his voice steady.
My gaze returned to his. “Why else are we here if not to answer each other’s questions?”
His assistant returned, placing a glass in front of me before taking his seat beside his boss.
Mr. Lennox held my gaze for a moment longer before leaning back against the couch, folding his arms across his chest.
“Why are you after Ravyn Vale?” he asked. “Did someone put you up to it? And if so—who?”
His eyes sharpened, intense as they locked onto mine.
“Since when did we start doing introductions?” I replied. “I thought the deal was clear. You get Ravyn Vale, and I get my parents’ ranch in return.”
“Well, if we’re working together, it helps to know certain things about each other. Don’t you agree?”
“I don’t want to know anything about you,” I snapped, “except what concerns Ravyn Vale and how we’re going to find him. And you might want to start by telling me what I need to know.”
As my voice fell silent, I realized just how intense the conversation had become. My pulse raced, irritation boiling beneath my skin. I couldn’t stand him. Part of me wanted to grab him and force the answers out of him if I could.
“Look, Miss Carter—or should I say Nancy,” he said slowly, “it’s not that I care about you or anything like that. But I don’t want to be held responsible if something happens to you. Do you even understand the danger of the case you’re digging into?”
There it was.
That tone.
The one I remembered all too well—as vividly as if it were yesterday. I had to admit it, even now. It was one of the things that had pulled me into his arms five years ago.
The way he cared.
“Then let me ask you this,” I shot back. “Why do you need to find Ravyn Vale so badly? Why are you willing to give up so much—everything—to do it?”
I waited.
His jaw tightened, muscles flexing beneath his skin.
And there it was—the anger I had seen earlier today.
“He took something so precious from me—let’s not even mention the fact that he ruined my life,” he said quietly. “I only hope you’re ready for the battle ahead, because I have a strong feeling that Ravyn Vale’s appearance runs far deeper than what’s on the surface.”
His expression finally relaxed, just a little.
I let out a small scoff, shaking my head to myself. If only he knew how many years I had spent preparing for this moment.
“You don’t have to worry about me, Mr. Lennox.”
“Jaxon,” he cut in almost immediately. “I’d prefer if you called me Jaxon.”
“Very well, Jaxon,” I said evenly. “I believe we’ve settled our differences. Now, may I know more about the footage I showed you earlier?”
I watched him carefully as he took a slow sip of his drink.
“We don’t have the footage you’re asking for,” his assistant said, finally making his presence known.
His words only left me more confused.
“I’m sorry—but what?”
“We don’t have the footage because we weren’t in charge of the party that day,” he explained calmly. “The hotel may be ours, yes, but that event was privately handled.”
My mind nearly went blank.
“Ah… Mr—?”
“Please, call me Troy,” he said quickly.
“Are you saying there’s no footage from that day at all?” I asked, disbelief creeping into my voice.
He nodded.
My gaze shifted to Mr. Lennox, silently demanding clarification.
“He’s not lying,” Jaxon said firmly. “We don’t have the footage. But one thing is certain—Ravyn Vale was present at the party before I arrived.”
I felt my hope crumble and scatter to the floor. I had come here believing we’d finally find a lead, something to hold on to. Instead, it felt like I was the one hanging from a hook.
I reached for the glass in front of me and drained it in one swift gulp.
The alcohol burned its way down my throat before I set the empty glass back on the table. Coming here had been completely useless. I truly thought I would leave with answers.
“Can I at least ask who was in charge of the footage?” I pressed, refusing to give up.
“Someone you don’t need to know about, Detective Nancy,” Jaxon said sharply, cutting me off. “Go home. We’ll find another way to get Ravyn Vale.”
I expected that response.
He rose to his feet, and I watched as he strode toward the window, his back now turned to me.
“Troy,” he added, “please make sure Miss Carter gets home safely.”
“No need. I can see myself out,” I said almost immediately, rising to my feet.
I lingered for a moment, my gaze fixed on his back, searching for something—anything—before finally turning and walking away.
Outside, darkness had already settled in, the wind weaving through the night like it had a mind of its own. I pulled out my phone, only to be greeted by several missed calls—both from our head officer and Linda.
I had turned on Do Not Disturb earlier. I’d wanted nothing interfering with my conversation with Mr. Lennox.
My fingers trembled slightly as I opened the first message from Linda, and my heart leapt.
“Nancy, why aren’t you picking up? Once you see this message, head back to the station. We might have another hook on Ravyn Vale.”
I didn’t hesitate.
I shoved my phone back into my pocket and hurried out through the gate, scanning the road desperately for the first available taxi that could take me straight to the station.