Chapter 50 UNINVITED 3
Jaxon’s POV
At first, I thought I was imagining things when I saw her rush into my room. Even without seeing her face, I knew it was her. Staring at her now, I couldn't explain the adrenaline rush I felt. I was used to those eyes looking at me with nothing but hate and anger, but today, that was gone.
I just saw her. Her face was turning a deep shade of red as I caught her staring at my bare chest.
“I... I...” she stammered, before suddenly jumping back. “Can you put a shirt on?” She looked away immediately, her face flushing even darker.
“I don't get it. You rush into my room while I’m getting dressed, and now you can't stand to look at me?” I teased, keeping my face straight. “If you’d come in five minutes earlier, you would’ve seen the whole view.”
I secretly enjoyed watching her face turn even redder.
“What on earth are you babbling about? Can you please just put on your shirt?”
With one last look at her, I grabbed my shirt. My eyes never left hers. I didn't understand why I felt so comfortable around her, like I’d known her long before all of this drama started.
“I’m not going to ask why you’re in my room,” I said, finally buttoning my shirt and tucking it in before reaching for my tie. “But I am going to ask what brought you to my house.”
“I’m here because of this,” she replied. She fumbled through her phone for a second before handing it to me.
I took the phone and watched the CCTV footage. It showed a business deal between a guy I didn't recognize and Ravyn Vale. The guy in the baseball cap was being cautious, trying to hide his face from the cameras, but the location was clear—it was right in front of my hotel in Brentmere.
“Do you recognize him?” she asked, drawing my gaze back to her.
I was more concerned about who sent her this. How did she get her hands on this footage? I just stared at her, my mind racing.
“I really need you to quit looking at me and answer the fucking question,” she barked, looking pissed off.
“How am I supposed to know? He barely showed his face,” I replied calmly.
She snatched the phone back and showed me a zoomed-in photo of the guy. I recognized him instantly. He was a member of the Shadows—the youngest one and Scorpion’s favorite. He mostly ran errands, but he was incredibly annoying.
He was the guy from the night of the party.
“It’s him, right? The drunk guy from the party,” Nancy said, mirroring my exact thoughts.
“I don't know. His face is all blurred out, so I can't be sure,” I lied. This was getting out of hand.
Ravyn Vale was involved with the Shadows? What were they cooking up? What was so important that they were trying to keep it from me? First, the footage was deleted so I wouldn't catch on, and now a deal right in front of my hotel? If this video ever got out, it would do a lot of damage to my business.
“There you go again, lying right to my face. It’s him. I’ve only met him once and I recognize him, so why can't you recognize him when you know him?” The fire in her eyes was burning at its peak now.
“You’re a detective, Nancy. It’s your job to recognize faces,” I replied casually, refusing to give her an inch.
I didn't know why I kept wanting to protect her. She didn't realize the danger she was walking into by digging into this. This footage alone could cost her her life.
“Don't give me that crap!” she snapped, her chest heaving as her angry eyes pierced mine.
“I don't get it... I really don't get why you’re doing this to me. That lady in the video is someone very important to me, and I’m not leaving this room until you tell me where to find this guy.”
She stood her ground stubbornly. I looked at her closely for a long moment.
“Go home, Nancy. You don't want to get involved with these people. I’ll still save your parents' ranch, but I’m taking back my words—whatever you want from Ravyn Vale, you need to stop before you get yourself in trouble.”
I didn't even realize I had said it, but I had to. I didn't want another person dying the way Emmy’s mum did. Every time I looked at Nancy, she reminded me of her.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I believe I have someone waiting for me.”
I turned and headed for the door. But before I could grab the doorknob, I felt something hit me square in the back.
“Don't you dare walk out on me!” Nancy's furious voice screamed behind me.
Nancy's POV
I was furious. First, he flat-out lied about knowing the guy in the footage, and then he had the nerve to act all nice? Saving the ranch? Telling me to stay off Ravyn Vale’s case? Who the hell does he think he is, telling me what to do?
What pisses me off the most is how fucking calm he is. He’s like that in every situation, and it drives me crazy. I thought we were on the same side. I thought we had the same agenda: find Ravyn Vale and make him pay for everything he’s done. But I guess I was wrong.
I am so done with this guy.
I didn't even hesitate. I threw my phone right at his back just to get his attention, but when he finally turned to look at me, seeing that calm face only made me angrier.
“You don't fucking get to decide when I quit!” I barked at him. “I am going to find him, with or without your help.”
I didn't wait for an answer. I snatched my phone off the floor and stormed out. I’m going to gather every bit of information I have on this guy, and I’m going to track him down myself.
Jaxon’s POV
I watched as she angrily marched away, her footsteps sharp with fury.
Why was she so difficult? I had thought everything came down to the ranch—but maybe I had been wrong all along.
I made my way back to the office, where Troy was still interviewing Nancy’s sister. I had noticed her name on the list earlier, and I knew instantly that was why Nancy had been hiding earlier. Still, I couldn’t understand why she didn’t want her sister to see her here.
But I couldn’t get Nancy’s last words out of my head.
She’s going to get herself killed if I don’t do something.
The thought alone tightened my chest.
I let out a sigh without even realizing it and turned back, heading in her direction. To my surprise, I found her sitting on my couch, staring into nothing, looking completely lost in her thoughts.
“I thought you said you were leaving,” I said, pulling her back to the present.
“I don’t recall saying that,” she replied.
There was a heaviness in her gaze—something raw, something wounded—and I hated that I knew I was a big part of the reason it was there.
“Fine,” I said, the words leaving my mouth before I could stop myself. “If you want to find that guy, then you’ll have to come to Brentmere with me.”
I ignored the warning voice screaming at the back of my mind.
Why should I care this much? Letting her dig on her own would only turn her into an easy target—but keeping her close meant keeping her safe.
Shock flickered across her face, quickly followed by relief. She stood up immediately, her eyes searching mine as if waiting for me to take it back.
“When are we leaving?” she asked, determination settling back into her features.
“It’s only eleven in the morning,” I replied. “I still have interviews to handle. I’d suggest you go—”
“I’ll wait,” she cut in before I could finish.
I exhaled sharply. “Fine. But I wouldn’t suggest you stay here. Unless you no longer care about hiding from your sister.”
Her eyes widened briefly before she stepped closer to me.
“You, Mr. Lennox, are full of surprises,” she said. “I’ll wait in your room until you’re done—and you better not change your mind.”
With that, she turned and headed upstairs like she already knew the house by heart.
“Is that a warning?” I called after her.
“You bet,” she replied before disappearing into the room and shutting the door behind her.
The moment she was gone, I reached for my phone.
I needed to make a call.