Page 62 of Grant’s Blaze

“What do you mean?” Now I really didn’t like where this was headed. At all.

“After the video footage of me in the walk-in, there were still shots of Mr. Twombley. Like a slideshow.”

“Mr. Twombley?” My echo was strained, having to make its way past the disbelief that stormed my senses. I almost repeated it again, as if a third incantation was going to render the reality—and my terror from it—invisible. “Pictures…of Grant?”

“Yes. And Rio…those shots didn’t look good. I mean…”

“What?” I was demanding but at least not a bitch about it now. “They didn’t look good…in what way, exactly?”

She raised her head, exposing her blue eyes at their fearful widest. “Do you know where he is right now?” she rasped.

I didn’t hide my double take. It was such a strange and personal question. Of course I knew where he was and told her so with a shaky nod. Thankfully, she didn’t need more than that to continue.

“Oh, thank God. Because in these photos, it looked like he was being held prisoner or something. His hands were bound behind his back, and he was blindfolded.” Unbelievably, her gaze flared bigger. The rest of her expression was a combination of dismay and fear. “But Rio, as disturbing as that all was…” She shook her head and covered her mouth with a shaky hand. When she finally lowered it, she uttered, “It wasn’t even the creepiest part.”

I wrapped both arms around myself. It was galling not being able to hug my friend instead, but I couldn’t think about trying to keep her together when it felt like my own pieces were about to crumble into a huge pile on the sun-drenched asphalt.

“Tell me.” I had to order it at her. I didn’t have any room for polite requests now.

“In every picture…it looked like there were a bunch of dead bodies all around him.”

For about ten more seconds, I didn’t move. Then I promptly turned away from Hannah’s adorable car and threw up.

With my body folded in half at the waist, I lost every single thing that had been in my stomach. Thankfully there wasn’t much, but the retching went on for long after the contents had been evacuated.

Once I calmed down, I told Hannah to go back inside so the rest of the employees didn’t start wondering what was going on. I reminded her not to touch her phone until I came to get her. I needed to make a few calls.

The first number I dialed was Grant’s.

He picked up after the first ring. I felt terrible for calling him at the office because I knew how busy he was.

“Blaze. Baby, how are you? I’m so glad you called.” I heard a door close in the background, and his voice changed to one I recognized from other events in our history. The one he used just with me when he was caring for me with his careful compassion and love. “You doing okay?”

“Yeah, I’m all right.” Shit. I could feel the damn tears coming on already. Just the sound of his voice gave me unspoken permission to lean on him. “Well, no, I guess I’m not.”

“What’s wrong? Is it your throat? Baby, I’m so sorry. I can come get you, and we can go have it looked at.”

“No, no, it’s not that.” I swiped the tears off my cheeks before getting into my own car. I needed to sit down while I talked to him.

“I really don’t mind,” Grant offered.

“Grant. Hey. You need to listen to me.”

“I am listening.”

“Something’s happened at the kitchen. But I don’t think I should talk about it over the phone, okay?”

“Oh.” He paused for a few seconds while he processed what I was saying. Finally he asked, “Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. But I think it has something to do with that dream you had. Well, in a way. Maybe more than one. I mean, scary ways, Grant. At least I think…” I huffed and palmed my forehead. “I don’t know! Maybe I’m just being melodramatic again.”

“I’m not follow—” He stopped midsentence and was quiet for a few beats again. “Baby, stay put and hold on for me. I’m not taking any chances right now. Not with any of this.”

“Okay.” I offered it willingly. I was so relieved to just be listening to the steady resolve in his voice that I’d agree to walk inside and slurp down a jar of pickles if he asked.

“I’m texting a friend of mine right now,” he stated. “As soon as he gets his ass in my office and I can fill him in on what’s going on, we are going to come to you. I don’t hear the kitchen. Are you outside right now?”

I nodded but realized he couldn’t see that. “I’m sitting in Kendall. I’m not just out in the op—”