“I don’t want you stressing about that. Safety first and the rest will come together. I think you’ll see it’s all going to work out.”
Not sure how he knew that, but I was going to take his word for it for the time being. I needed to get home to speak with my family and then I had a photo shoot along with a dinner I had to attend. A groan left my lips at the thought and Lyric raised his eyebrows.
Explaining what caused the non-ladylike sound, I told him about my plans for the rest of the day and evening.
“What if I go with you?”
I froze, stunned at his suggestion. I entertained the idea for a minute, but I couldn’t put him through that. He worked hard already and he wasn’t my personal bodyguard.
Even if Ididwant him to be.
“I’ll be fine, it’s one of my regular shoots.”
His stern expression said he didn’t love the answer but surprisingly, he didn’t push. “Take my number in case you change your mind or if anything happens. You can call me any time.”
After pulling my phone from my pocket, I added his number as he rattled it off. “I’m sure I won’t need it, but thank you.” I seemed to be saying that a lot to him in a matter of a couple of days.
A sigh left me. I didn’t like counting on others, but what else could I do?
“I mean it, Ruby. Call me any time.”
I didn’t know what to say. The offer warmed my heart. I wasn’t used to anyone being there for me besides Gramps and Jett, so all I could manage while emotions raced through me was a nod as I got in the car. After shutting the door, I gave a small wave. When I drove away, I wondered if I could change my mind and take Lyric with me.
It would have made me feel better.
And also saved me from making a panicked phone call later that evening.
* * *
I just wantedto go home.
Dead on my feet and sick of the crowd in the bar and grill I ended up at with some photographers, and other models after the photo shoot, I was looking for any excuse to leave early.
When I heard my cell go off with the ringtone assigned to my brother’s number, I pulled my phone from the small purse I’d slipped around my neck to keep it close in case of an emergency. I rushed off toward the hallway away from the noise, filled with a mix of relief that I got away from everyone and also worried that something was wrong. My brother rarely called.
“Jett, is everything okay?”
The answer that came from his frantic voice had my heart seizing in my chest.
And then I was sprinting out of the restaurant, the questions being yelled from others I was with, not registering in my brain.
All I needed was to get to my family.
“I’ll be there as fast as I can.” My breathing was coming out hard and fast. Not only from running but also from the fear pumping through my veins. “Don’t let Gramps kill anyone and stay in the house with the door locked.” I hated to hang up but I needed to. “I have to hang up to make a call. Keep your phone close.”
I should have called 911 or told my brother to, but in my mind, I was doing what I thought was better.
I jumped in my car and with shaking hands dialed the number for the first person that came to mind. As it rang, my phone connected to Bluetooth. I tossed my cell in the passenger seat and after starting the car, I took off.
When the sound of his deep voice came through the speaker, relief washed through me. I’d been so afraid he wouldn’t answer.
“Ruby, are you okay?”
Nope, I was definitelynotokay.
I immediately started rambling.
“There are guys at my place and they scared the crap out of Jett when he came out of the shop to head over to the house to check on Grandpa.”
