Page 67 of Grant’s Heat

But fuck if it didn’t work. Stabbing guilt struck me in the stomach like a bully’s sucker punch. I actually clutched my unburned hand to my abdomen when one crocodile tear rolled down her ruddy cheek, followed by another, then another.

“Abbi…” I gasped. But she started shaking her head slowly from side to side.

“No. Just stop, Rio. Just…yeah…no.”

“Abbigail, please, you don’t understand,” I pleaded. Tears filled my own eyes as my rage ebbed and regret took its place.

Dori came to stand by her boss’s side, superhero cape flapping in the wind. “I think you’ve said enough already, Rio.”

Just like that, the tide replaced my sorrow with anger again. I was an emotional typhoon. “You can go fuck yourself right out of this conversation, Dori. This is between Abbi and me.” I pointed my finger right in her face, and Abbi’s eyes bulged so full, it was almost comical.

“You know what, maybe you should just leave, Rio,” said Abbi. “You need to get some professional help before you hurt someone…or yourself. I know things have been hard for you since my brother died—”

I burst out with a cackling laugh. “Is that what you think will fix this? Little Miss Perfect Life? Professional help? You don’t have a damn clue what I’m going through. Because you’ve been so busy in your perfect world, in your perfect house, with your perfect fucking man.” I heaved in a fortifying breath to continue my diatribe. “You, like everyone else, haven’t bothered to ask or care about what I need or find out how I’m getting through this nightmare.”

I pushed past her then, but at the last moment, stopped with my hand hovering over the doorknob.

Aggressively, I pointed my index finger toward Abbigail. “Your brother’s gone, and it’s your man’s fault. Yet somehow you strut around here like a little queen, and I’m the one everyone thinks is crazy. But when your last name is Shark—or, pardon me—is about to be”—I curtseyed dramatically—“everything always comes up roses, doesn’t it?”

Chapter Twelve

Grant

“You did what?” I bellowed into my cell phone, not caring that I was shouting at a very pregnant woman. The potential damage Abbigail might have caused with her “good intentions” was immeasurable. I could tell by her responding outrage and incensed tone she didn’t see it the same way.

Not in the least.

“Grant, you didn’t see the way she was acting today. I’m really worried about her. I’ve known her for much longer than you have, and I feel like I know what’s best for her. I know you’ve grown to…” She paused, choosing her words carefully. “I know that you care very deeply for Rio. That the two of you have become good…umm…friends.”

“There’s more to it than that, Abbi.” The words escaped before I could tamp them down, but I immediately decided I didn’t care if she knew how completely I’d fallen for her sister-in-law.

I didn’t care if the whole world knew at this point.

She made a choking sound and then cleared her throat. “Pardon me?”

I would deal with the fallout of admitting my feelings later, when Rio’s physical well-being wasn’t a concern. Right now, I needed to find her and help her. She would never forgive Abbigail for doing this to her.

“Where have they taken her? Do you know?”

“Yes, of course I know,” she scoffed. “Do you think I would just have her taken away to the county mental hospital or something? Be serious, Grant. I’m not some cruel and heartless bitch. I want what’s best for Rio, too. I’ve begged her to get help. Begged her to talk to someone.”

A few long moments passed over the phone line before I summoned every last shred of patience I had left. Through gritted teeth, I said, “Abbi? Tell me where she is. I’m not going to ask you again. You’ve fucked up royally by having her caged up somewhere, and if I don’t get to her and help her, I’m afraid of what she’s going to do.”

“Grant, she’s in the care of professionals now. I can assure you, I found the very best.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about…” I trailed off, realizing I wouldn’t be getting anywhere with the woman. If she wasn’t this stubborn before hooking up with Sebastian, she’d quickly absorbed a lot of his personality traits.

“No, I think you’re the one with only half the picture here. Rio’s had mental health problems most of her life. Maybe it’s time for you to step aside and let her family care for her now.” The condescending tone of voice she used made my vision blur to a red haze.

“Like you’ve cared for the past month, Abbi? Where the hell have you been since Sean’s accident?” My tone was icy and bitter. The accusation hung like static over the phone line.

“How dare you…” she finally whispered.

Which made my bellow sound three times as loud. “Tell me where she is! Now!” Just as I made the demand, my phone signaled an incoming call on the other line. It was a Los Angeles number I didn’t recognize, but if there was any chance it was about Rio, I needed to take the call.

Abruptly, I hung up on Abbigail and switched over to the other call. “Grant Twombley,” I rushed out.

Please let it be her. Please let it be her.