It was shit timing, but he had to find out what the hell was going on. Starting with a conversation between him and Senator Cantrell.
After a quick text to Coop to verify the senator was at his office, Grant told Brynnon, “I’ll be back soon. Derek will keep you safe.” When she started to argue, he added, “He’s a former SEAL, like me, and he’s well-trained.”
“I don’t care about that.” She shook her head. “I just want you to calm down and think about this for a second before you go storming off to my father’s office.”
“Nothing to think about, Princess. Your father intentionally left out vital information that could very well have affected your safety. I need to know why.”
“Not to step on any toes, here, but I have to agree with your man, Brynnon. What your dad did wasn’t cool.”
Her wheels turned. “Ifhe did what you’re saying, I’m sure there was a reasonable explanation as to why. Dad would never knowingly put me in danger.”
Like Brynnon, Grant ignored Derek’s claim that he was her man. “That’s exactly why I’m going to see him. To give your father a chance to explain.”
But if Grant found out the senator had purposely allowed his daughter to be in more danger than he’d let on, then God help him.
“You got this, D?” he asked his teammate.
“I’ll protect her like she’s my own.”
Knowing just how much those words meant, Grant gave his friend a nod of thanks.
“While you’re gone”—Derek added— “I’ll run the note and pics through the scanner to see if anything pops up, and I’ll leave these for you to look through.” He held the folders up a little higher.
“What’s in them?”
“Information on the twelve soldiers who died on the bridge. I have copies of it all at my place.” He shrugged. “If Wright’s claims are true, there are eleven other families out there with motive. Figured between the two of us, we may be able to find something that sticks out.”
“Sounds good.” With one final glance in Brynnon’s direction, Grant left.
Less than twenty minutes later, he found himself arguing with Cantrell’s personal assistant. The girl was young and probably good at her job, but she sure as hell wasn’t going to keep him from seeing the senator.
“I told you he’s in a meeting.” The well-intended woman brazenly stepped into his path. “If you’d like to have a seat, I’m sure he will be more than happy to speak to you after—”
“I don’t have time to wait.”
Grant sidestepped her and reached for the expensive doorknob.
“Sir, please stop.” She turned to Coop, who was standing nonchalantly to the side. “Don’t just stand there, stop him!”
“Sorry, Jaynee.” Coop folded his arms. “Grant’s right. What he needs to discuss with your boss can’t wait.”
Having zero patience or time for this bullshit, Grant turned the knob and barged into Cantrell’s private office.
Brynnon’s father was sitting behind his desk and Martin Downing was in one of the two leather chairs facing him. Both men immediately stopped speaking and turned their attention onto him.
“We need to talk,” he growled not giving two fucks who the guy was or what political power the man had.
Scowling, Martin stood abruptly. “You can’t just walk in here like this and interrupt us. Just who do you think you are?”
Wanting to flick the stuck-up bastard like the annoying bug he was, Grant shot back, “The man trying to keep the senator’s daughter alive.”
“I am so sorry, Senator,” a worried Jaynee piped in. “I tried to tell him to wait, but he—”
“It’s okay, Jaynee.” William Cantrell held his hand palm-up to calm the woman down. He looked back at Grant. “What happened?” His eyes widened with concern. “Is she all right?”
Never one to pull any punches, Grant spouted off, “No thanks to you.”
Guilt permeated from the man, but his little sidekick kept coming at him. “How dare you talk to the senator like that!”
