Chapter 32 #2
“They’re not for me either.” Another one rolls down her cheek, and I catch it with a gentle kiss.
“Then why are you crying?” My voice cracks, and I realize that seeing her in pain is more than I can bear.
“For you.”
I jolt backward. “For me? I’m not the one hurt, sweetheart. Don’t ever cry for me.”
“Okay, Savvy. Can you show me the other side?” Chief Rigsby asks.
She nods but doesn’t look away from me as she releases my hand to lift her other sleeve.
This time I don’t look. I’ve seen enough, and I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.
Another tear. Another stabbing pain through my heart.
“Don’t cry. Please, Sav.”
“You don’t understand.”
Chief Rigsby’s camera flashes.
“Then explain, and I’ll fix whatever’s causing them.”
She smiles. It’s wobbly and full of overwhelming emotion. “It’s just that I…I realized something.”
“What’s that?”
She lowers her shirtsleeve when Rigsby sits back in front of us, and I immediately take her hand in mine again.
“You love me. Despite our history, regardless of my past, in spite of the chaos I bring to your life. You love me.”
My lungs expel all the trapped air in a loud whoosh that blows her hair around her face. “Finally. I’ve been telling you that for weeks now. I’m glad you’re finally listening.”
“Savvy,” Chief Rigsby interrupts. Again. “Are there any more marks we should photograph?”
My stomach drops into my feet.
“No.”
Thank God. If there were, I’d end up in jail for murdering the piece of shit.
“Okay,” he says. “Well, the good news is that I ran Riley’s name on the way over. He’s missed a check-in with his parole officer, so there’s a warrant out for his arrest already.”
“What?” All the practiced calm I’ve been faking for Savvy’s sake goes up in flames.
“It appears that no one knew he left Vegas or where he went,” Chief Rigsby says.
“I’ve alerted his parole officer of his whereabouts, and we’ve called in a local bounty hunter.
But the bad news is now he’ll know we’re looking for him.
When suspects are backed into a corner, they can become more dangerous.
” He says this last part to me, but I’ve already read between the lines.
“You think he’s going to attack Savvy again.”
Chief Rigsby is the youngest chief of police Happiness has ever had, but he’s proven himself time and time again to be reliable and trustworthy. He’s a helper, and he takes care of his residents.
He drags a hand through his hair. “I do. I’m bringing in some help from Wayfair County since I’m working with a skeleton crew due to the hurricane. We’ll do everything we can to keep you safe.”
“I have the Harringtons coming in a few days,” I say, but he stares at me blankly. “They own Harrington Bank and Trust as well as one of the best security companies in the world. I’ll call and see if they can come sooner. I want Savvy protected at all costs.”
I screwed up by not demanding their attention immediately.
“Grey.” Savvy squeezes my hand, and I hold hers firm because this is not a negotiation.
“I’ve heard of them.” The way Rigsby says it makes me believe he knows of their uncle, but the brothers are nothing like that piece of shit.
I’ve done my research, contacted colleagues, and most importantly, they’ve proved themselves to me with the information they’ve shared freely since the golf tournament.
“Having more eyes on her is probably a good idea,” he finally concedes.
“I’m right here,” Savvy says, finding some of the sass she’s known for.
“We know,” I say. “But please, for me, don’t fight me on this.
If Riley is out here with a vendetta and forgoing the stipulations of release, it means he’s detached from reality.
He isn’t thinking about the consequences of his actions.
I need all the help I can get to keep you safe until he’s back behind bars. ”
The bell over the door jingles again, and we all look up to see an ashen-faced Bethany. Jesus Christ. At least she isn’t dressed like bargain-bin Barbie today. The cutoff shorts and red Coca-Cola T-shirt feel more authentic.
“What is she doing here?” Madi growls, surprising me.
I glance around the room and know I’ve missed something important because Bethany is obviously enemy number two right now.
“Sorry, Bethany,” Blissy says, stepping forward. “We’re closed for the afternoon.”
“I—I know.” She stares at Savvy. “Is it true? Did he hurt you?”
“You need to leave,” Blissy tries again.
“Is it true?” Bethany asks again, her voice breaking in multiple places.
Beside me, Savvy lifts the sleeve of her T-shirt to show the bruising.
“Oh, God.” Bethany’s hand flies to her mouth as she shakes her head. “I—I didn’t know. Savvy, I didn’t know. I’m so sorry.”
I’m out of my chair as though her words have electrocuted me. “What are you talking about?”
Savvy reaches for my hand. The moment her skin touches mine, the panic stops boiling over.
“Thank you, Bethany,” she says. “I’m glad that you believe me, but your words don’t hold a lot of weight right now. I hope, for your sake, you can make some changes.”
What the hell is she talking about?
Bethany sniffles. “That’s why I’m here. I honestly didn’t know. Riley told me he loved you, and I believed him.”
“Get. Out,” I growl.
Savvy tugs on my hand, and reluctantly, I take a seat at her side.
Bethany has gone from ashen to ghostly white. I’m surprised she’s still standing.
“That’s…that’s why I’m here. I don’t have much to tell you. Riley never, like, confided in me or anything.”
“Un-fucking-believable.” I didn’t think my jaw could get any tighter, but this witch just proved me wrong.
“What is it, Bethany?” Savvy asks quietly.
Why the hell is Monroe being so nice to this woman?
Bethany wrings her hands together and shifts her weight from foot to foot. Her face is free of makeup, and paired with her casual clothing, it’s a stark contrast to the last few times I’ve seen her.
“Well, I don’t know who it is, but Riley did mention once that he had a ‘pulse’ at Omni-Reyes. I never understood what that meant, even when he said it, but I figured it might mean something to you.” Her shoulders are curled so far in, her spine is bent forward.
“What was the context?” Braxton asks, his normally friendly demeanor now brusque.
“He—” She glances at Savvy and winces. “He wanted information from me about your relationship. But he said he had a pulse at Omni-Reyes, someone who would always be loyal to him no matter what.”
“The mole,” Braxton hisses.
“I can’t believe you sold Savvy out for a few new dresses. You’re more than pathetic—” Madi balls her hands into fists, but it’s Savvy who places her palm over them to calm her.
“And you gave him information about us?” Savvy is calm. Too calm.
Bethany nods, and disgruntled noises fill the air all around us.
“What did you say?” If Savvy doesn’t show some emotion soon, I’m going to rip her out of here and take her to the hospital because obviously she’s in shock.
“I told him how you seemed to hate each other but couldn’t stay away from each other either. How—how Greyson looked at you like you held all his secrets, but you always had a wall up.”
I scoff, but Braxton rolls his eyes. “She’s right,” he says.
“Anything else?” I’m not as kind as Savvy is.
“Just that it didn’t make sense. You’re always fighting. It’s like you had him under a spell I couldn’t figure out.”
“So, you didn’t give him any information that he wouldn’t have seen with his own eyes?” Sage asks. Of course he’s as nice as Savvy is. My nephew is incapable of being an ass.
“I…I told him that…”
“Told him what?” I roar. My patience is long gone.
She flinches, but I don’t feel an ounce of remorse. This woman was actively working against my fiancée, and that’s unacceptable.
“I told him that Clover was your weakness, and that you would always drop everything to be by her side, and then the very next day her private information was all over the internet.”
I’m across the room, ripping the door open before she even blinks. “Get. Out.”
“Greyson.” Savvy stands and wobbles on her feet.
Fuck this.
“Bethany, I don’t know what you thought coming here would do. It doesn’t absolve you. It doesn’t make what you did right.”
“Grey. Enough, please. This is between Bethany and me. We’ve talked, she knows she was wrong.
” Empathy bleeds from Savvy’s tone. Luckily, I don’t suffer from that same affliction.
“She’s here because she wants to help. Beating her down now won’t do anything but break her beyond repair, and I refuse to do that to anyone.
Not when I’m living proof of the damage it can cause. ”
Just like that, she slams her truth into me like a wrecking ball.
I nod once in acknowledgment of her words.
“Is there anything else you’d like to share, Bethany?” Savvy sounds as though a good strong wind would knock her over.
“No. I’m—” Her broken sob echoes across the room. “I am truly sorry, Savvy. If there’s anything I can do—”
“You’ve done enough,” Madi growls, and I mentally high-five my sister-in-law. Braxton married well.
“Thank you for telling us, Bethany.” Savvy sinks back into her chair.
I rattle the bell above the door to indicate it’s time for Bethany to go.
She takes the hint and leaves without making eye contact with anyone.
Then I cross the room and crouch down in front of Savvy. My palms rest on her thighs as I stare into her weary eyes.
“Rigsby, is there anything else you need from us right now?” I ask.
“No,” he says. “Not from Savannah. If the rest of you could come down to the station to give your statements, I’d appreciate it though.”
“We’ll be there,” Moose says.
“Is Savvy free to go?” I ask.
“She is, but—”
“She’s staying with me.”
“Good,” Rigsby says. “I’ll come out to check on you both tomorrow.”
As soon as he’s given the all-clear, I scoop Savvy up in my arms. Sage drops my keys into her lap, and Blissy opens the door. Without another word, I carry her out to the car.
By the time we make it home, she’s curled into a ball, leaning on the passenger door, fast asleep.
I’ve never seen my future so clearly, and for once, it’s filled with happiness. It’s filled with Savannah Monroe, and I’ll burn the world to the ground before I allow some shithead like Riley DeVane to take that from me.