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"It’s nothing I tripped on ht, did a face plant into the wall," I lie, and then quickly try to push the conversation "How are things back home? What have you been up to?"

"I’ood"

Now it’s my turn to frown She doesn’t sound like her norh, she asks, "You know Jesse’s friend Luke, right?"

"Uhyeah" Troubleet The first tiold watch and his expensive clothes and model-pretty face, he had my attention I frown "Why?" Alex and I have never really talked about Luke before

"He was just here, checking up on the latest car Brought a girl with him, who see a brand-new Porsche"

"Oh yeah? Those are expensive Did he win it or so

"No, A" She shakes her head with soood heartwho can be easily swayed by money He doesn’t always make the smartest decisions I’otten him into"

I know that the two of them have a close connection Luke has popped in and out to the ranch a few ti It’s like his city-boy style can’t handle country for too long But every ti Alex a fierce hug

Oddly enough, this conversationfor when I dialed Alex’s nu illegal?"

"I know they are," she , thin scar that nor to do with cars"

This instantly raises red flags for me, nore "Like the cars that Jesse’s been fixing up for Luke, that he swore up and doere bought legitiht to my parents’ doorstep It could--"

"Jesse’s not involved in what Rust and Luke are doing, Aain, if there’s anyone who knows him, and whoirl who’s been through so uy with his history, and yet it doesn’t see toto ban Luke froht?"

Her mouth twists "He already knows Or suspects, at least"

My arage together, drinking beer and laughing! "What are you saying? That he’s turning a blind eye to it?" No, that’s just not possible

Alex shrugs "He has a soft spot for Luke We all do Luke is one of the reasons I’ht now--you know that"

"I know a bit about that, but I don’t know the specifics" Not enough to endear Luke to me as he obviously has endeared himself to others

She bites the inside of her lip "He put hier to make sure Jesse found ht my dad found you"

She simply stares at me I’ve seen that look before Itthat she didn’t hter--Rowen’s--suddenly carries up the stairs and through o down there and see what they’re laughing about So in my house in the first place