The required speech starts up once their hold on me is secure. “Grady Bowen, you’re under arrest. You have the right to remain silent...” The officer’s voice drones on, but I don’t hear any of it. How the fuck did this happen? I look up and see another cop inspecting Lance’s injuries. Mother fucker hurt himself. I want to shout and fight, but that won’t help me. I’m more than aware how this goes. The echoing vibrations linger for a second or two. Dread for what’s to come rests heavy on my shoulders.
We pass Lance, who’s done sobbing like a little bitch. His expression is pure evil. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of Sutton for you.”
An animalistic roar rips from my throat. “Don’t you fucking touch her. I’ll kill you.”
He cackles. “You’re only proving my case, Bowen.”
Piping hot rage fills my veins and I struggle against the cuffs. The officers clutching my arms grip me tighter. “Knock it off, kid. You’re only making this worse.”
How the fuck could this possibly get worse? A vision of Sutton’s beautiful face appears in front of me. What the hell are we going to do? I try to hold onto images of her, but the shadows are already obscuring my view. They toss me into the back of a cruiser. Just as they’re about to trap me inside, Lance appears.
He leans in so only I can hear. “Say hello to your dad for me.”
27
Sutton
Happy something #126: Trusting against all odds.
Iguzzle some more water while keeping my gaze trained on the bathroom hallway. Grady hasn’t emerged, regardless of my insistent staring. He’s been gone for at least fifteen minutes. Am I being paranoid? There’s little doubt. But he wouldn’t leave me alone longer than absolutely necessary. The tether between us is straining and I feel the taut pull in my chest. Something isn’t right.
My gut is yelling at me to investigate. I chomp on an ice cube and check the clock. We should be leaving soon. The blaring hip hop that’s been playing fades into a muted whisper. My vision tunnels and blocks out anything that’s beyond the dark alcove. Where is he? I’m about to send him a text when Lacie sits beside me.
She rubs my arm. “What’s wrong, Sutt?”
I tap my nails on the table. “Grady isn’t back yet.”
Her eyes follow the unwavering line of mine. “Where’d he go?”
“To the bathroom. He was going to get some air after that.”
“He’s taking an extended breather. No big deal. This place is popping. I’m sure a lot of people are stepping outside for a break.” Her placating touch continues and my skin crawls. I need his coarse palm to be reassuring me.
“No, that doesn’t sound like Grady.”
“Maybe he’s dropping a deuce.”
I wrinkle my nose. “Eww, no way. Not at the bar.”
She huffs and rolls her eyes. “You’re freaking for no reason. He’ll be stomping through that door at any moment.”
“That’s what I’m waiting for.” Each second ticks by slower than the last. The knot in my stomach yanks harder until I’m a ball of tension. I give into my earlier impulse and message him.
Me: Did you get lost? I’m starting to worry. Tell me you ran into an old friend so I can relax.
The three little dots don’t appear. There’s no sign of him opening the text. I force down the bubble in my throat that’s doubling in size. He’s fine. I’m overreacting. Everything is all good. There’s no reason to lose my head over a few pesky minutes. I try to smooth the furrow from my features.
When I glance over, Lacie has a front row view to my mini-meltdown. She raises a slim brow. “Should we look for him?”
I’m not fooling anyone. I allow my expression to collapse. “I think so.”
My ass is halfway off the stool when Molly appears in front of me. A frown is pinching her pretty face. “Have you seen Lance?”
I just shake my head.
“Is he missing? Seems like a common theme,” Lacie muses.
I shoot her a glare. “Don’t say that. I’m scared enough.”
