of Zak’s service.”
Cassie trembled as she watched the security team haul the cousin out the door. She glanced back at Rhett. Angry tears streamed down his face.
He looked at the small gathering. “I apologize. I brought this on everyone.” He strode up the aisle and headed out a back door.
She was stunned by the length to which an actual blood relative of Zak’s had gone, even worse than the paparazzi. She hoped Rhett’s talk of quitting was simply rash words in the heat of the moment.
Breck touched her shoulder. “I’ll go talk him down.”
Cassie nodded her thanks, too emotional to speak. Jolene lay a hand on her shoulder. She clutched it like a lifeline.
Then Ken and Melanie stood and filed by the casket. Those in attendance followed their lead and walked out of the small chapel to their waiting cars.
Cassie knew only she and Rhett would head to the cemetery. Zak hadn’t wanted any graveside services so they would accompany the casket and see this day through.
She stood shakily and walked out with Jolene. Security had cleared the way to the limo. Johnny opened the door and Cassie climbed in, limp as a dishrag.
Moments later, Breck got in.
His eyes searched hers. “Rhett’s nowhere to be found.”
CHAPTER 25
Cassie walked through Rhett’s house aimlessly, wandering from room to room, turning lights on and off. Shep followed at her heels as if scared to leave her alone. Cassie finally made her way back downstairs and sat at the kitchen table. The dog leaned against her and Cassie stroked his fur, lost in thought.
Rhett hadn’t called. All day. After he disappeared from the funeral home, Breck and Jolene accompanied her to Zak’s burial. Cassie thought Rhett might turn up there.
He didn’t.
They came home and she immediately went to the big house. Shep and Mimi Morgan greeted her. The grandmotherly cook insisted she sit and eat something. Cassie pushed around pieces of lettuce and cucumbers and mushrooms, scattering them across the salad plate. She tried to eat the sandwich but the first bite caused her to gag. She excused herself, grateful Mimi didn’t ask what was wrong or where Rhett was.
Cassie returned to the gatehouse and changed clothes, her cell in her pocket, waiting for Rhett to call. She lay on her bed, eyes unblinking, the pit of her stomach a dull lump. TJ curled beside her, purring low. She pulled him close, tears finally spilling into his orange fur.
She came out of her bedroom hours later to find Breck and Jolene huddled with Ken, Chris, and Darin. All eyes locked on her as she entered the den.
Cassie found her voice. “No one’s heard from him.” It wasn’t a question, merely a stated fact.
“No,” Breck said. “We’ve all had calls out but no one’s seen him or his car.”
“It’s not like Rhett’s a missing person,” Jolene pointed out. “He’s had a rough time and needs some space.”
“She’s right,” Ken agreed. “We can’t involve the police. We’ve got to give Rhett some time alone.”
Cassie nodded, reining in her temper. What about her and her needs? Her best friend, her brand-new lover, her everything had vanished without a single word. Who the hell did he think he was? Some prima donna movie star who was more important than a lowly assistant? Or just a typical asshole guy, putting himself first when the going got tough?
She bit her lip. That wasn’t fair. Rhett had tremendous pressure on him. She’d only seen a brief glimpse of what he’d lived through the past several years, a sliver of his life under the glaring microscope, continually dissected by the public. If he needed to get away, he deserved it. He would call.
He had to.
But oh, God, she needed him, right here, right now. She needed his arms around her, his eyes dancing with mischief, his cocky smile and quiet strength. Cassie felt as abandoned as a litter of puppies on the side of a country road. Unloved. Unwanted.
“At least the security guys deleted all the photos from that creep’s cell,” Chris said. “I can’t believe he would sell pictures of his own cousin’s funeral for a quick buck.”
“He looked like a drugged-out lowlife,” Darin added. “Someone who knew Zak a long time ago and was desperate enough to stoop to pretty low.”
“Was he arrested?” Jolene asked. “I know they escorted him out and I didn’t see him when we left.”
Breck shook his head. “I doubt it. He hadn’t broken any law. I’m sure the security fellows took him for a ride