didn’t want to call him back and grovel for his forgiveness, because frankly, I wasn’t sorry. If the exact same thing happened in the next five minutes, I’d likely handle it the same way.
My feelings hadn’t changed for Rio since that night. Well, I might have become more ensnared by her complicated, challenging mind. And I might have become more captivated and enchanted by her beauty. I couldn’t even allow myself to think about her enticing and alluring sex appeal, or I’d end up in the bathroom with my dick in my fist.
When my cell phone rang again, interrupting my colliding thoughts, I nearly dropped the device in surprise. This time I answered without looking at the caller identification, thankful Bas pulled his head out of his ass and realized he was acting like a child when hanging up on me. I really didn’t need more complications in my life right now.
“Dude, I can’t believe you hung up on me. Shit.” I chuckled. “Seriously, when’s the last time you pulled that shit? When we were ten?”
“Grant?” A female’s questioning voice filled my ear instead. “Hey, it’s Abbigail.”
Okay…so not who I was expecting, and I was instantly beating myself up for not looking at the device before answering. I definitely did not want to talk to this woman right now.
“How can I help you, Abbi?” I winced at the abrupt shift of my voice, but no way could I muster affection for the person responsible for what I saw Rio having to endure just one day before. Granted, it wasn’t the facility specifically. It was imprisoning her in the first place. That was the last thing she needed. Anyone who knew her would know that. I still couldn’t understand how Abbigail thought it was the right thing to do.
Regardless of my attitude, her inquisition started straight away. “I’m assuming you know where Rio is? Or you’re with her currently?” She only paused long enough to inhale and then continued with her questions. “The facility that I checked her into for psychiatric evaluation and care said she was carried out by a very tall, blond, model-looking man. I’m guessing that was you?”
“Like I asked, Abbi, how can I help you?” My game plan was to give her the least amount of information possible. Rio was a capable adult and was not violating the law or a doctor’s orders by leaving that facility.
Abbi sighed loud enough for me to hear this time. “I’m worried about her, Grant,” she said softly.
“Okay. Thanks for calling.”
“Grant! Wait. Don’t hang up.”
Her rushed plea torpedoed my intention of ending the call. Damn it. These women were making me soft.
“Please just tell me where you are. Can you just tell me so I can stop worrying? What are your plans?”
I gritted my jaw. “I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”
“But you realize she really needs help, right? She was completely manic the other day at the Abstract kitchen. I’ve never seen her act that way. Honestly, it really scared me. That’s the only reason I reached out for help. I didn’t know what else to do.”
“Mmm-hmm.”
“Grant! You have to believe me!” The predictable tear spigot turned on, and Abbi’s watery sniffles accompanied her pleas as the subject had progressively shifted focus to her. Rio had complained about both traits of Abbi’s before, and now I was getting a front-row seat to the Abbigail show.
Boy, she and Sebastian were made for one another.
“Actually, Abbigail, I don’t have to do anything.”
“Grant—”
“You’re about to give birth.” I was diplomatic but determined, which was going to prevail over her stubbornness and tears. “Maybe it’s best that you concentrate on all of that right now and just trust that Rio is in good hands.”
A long pause. I even wondered if we’d gotten disconnected, but I didn’t try to confirm or hail her.
“Grant, don’t be angry,” she finally said with the smallest voice.
“Abs, I’m not angry.” I laughed and knew I sounded as incensed as I felt. “I’m baffled. How you thought caging her in somewhere was in her best interest—I mean, you say you love her and want what’s best for her, yet you do something that is so at odds with her psychological and emotional well-being. Your actions make your words sound more like hollow lip service than anything else.”
Again with the long pause, but I knew the connection was fine. And hell, if it wasn’t? This conversation was over a while back, as far as I was concerned.