Perfect Grump (Bad Chicago Bosses)

“So, just for fun, let’s say someone did hit me,” she says slowly. “They’d probably be dangerous, right?”

I nod. “Yeah. Which explains why you had to do whatever to wind up here. You have a little girl to protect. You did their bidding because they made you. I’m right, aren’t I?”

“But if I need to protect my daughter and this person is dangerous, wouldn’t it be better for me to hang out here surrounded by guards? And wouldn’t Millie be better off being doted on by her loving aunt and rich-as-hell boss rather than with me? Miss Magnet for evil?”

“Evil?” I’m taken aback.

“Reese, think. Why would I risk involving you, let alone Millie, with someone I thought might be dangerous? And still out there.”

A chill runs up my spine. She’s trying to protect us. I never thought of it that way.

“You won’t even give me a hint?”

She shakes her head.

“Okay, well, they had to have probable cause. What did you get pulled over for? And if it was for drugs, why did they suspect you?”

“I think I got pulled over because my taillight was out. I’m not sure. The whole thing was overwhelming. I freaked out and then I was mostly just happy I hadn’t picked Millie up from Mrs. Gamlin’s yet.”

“That’s...not a lot to work with,” I say bitterly.

“Sorry. I hope someday this all makes sense. I just really don’t want you or Millie falling any deeper. The more I talk, the bigger your risk.”

“You can’t just rot here,” I insist, sitting up in my seat. “So, if you won’t talk to me, are you going to talk to Sutton?”

“I don’t know. If it isn’t safe...no.”

“What is safe then?” I don’t mean to badger her, but I’m losing my patience.

“I don’t know. I’ll figure it out when I can.”

Then what? I just play mom until then? What about Millie?

She’s still asking where her mom went every day.

“Look, I can imagine how much this sucks...but sooner or later, you have to come clean. Between me and the attorney, we can keep you safe,” I tell her.

She looks at the clock overhead. The guard standing behind her at the edge of the room shifts his weight, slowly approaching.

“We don’t have much longer,” she says.

My heart sinks. There’s no point in more pressure right now.

“You don’t need to worry about Millie,” I tell her. “She’s safe, and I don’t think you should worry about Will either. He hasn’t been interested in her for a long time. He’s completely off the radar—even CPS is satisfied for now. I got through their little white-glove inspection.”

“I just...I need to calm down. It’s hard. The longest I’ve ever been away from Millie before was a few nights a year, and even then she had dinner with me before going to your place.”

“I remember. Trust me, she’s fine. I even learned to make chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese.”

“You’re the best little sister ever. I don’t think I’d get through this without you.” She gives me another smile that looks like it might break her.

I know you wouldn’t. “You have to talk, Abby. Just think about it.”

“We’ll see. Right now, I have to go,” she tells me.

She stands, never giving me a second glance, and that’s probably for the best. The second she disappears, I’m storming out in a huff, pushing past a couple burly cops on my way out.

This is all so bewildering, so intense, so painful.

How the hell do I save my sister if I can’t get her to open up?

12

Best of Intentions (Nick)

I slurp my coffee and hammer the cup down on my desk in disgust.

I’ve been tagged in two thousand thirteen posts and another sixteen hundred tweets.

I’m trending for no good reason.

I had dinner with Reese and her four-year-old niece last night. The only other places I’ve been in the last twenty-four hours are here and home.

How the hell can I be trending? What the fuck now?

Snarling, I face the inevitable. All of my tags link to one place: The Chicago Tea.

I’m so fucking over it. I rip up the phone and call Roland Osprey.

“Mr. Brandt, hello. It’s about time,” he answers on the first ring.

“Birdshit, what’s your problem?” I snap off.

“Problem? I wasn’t aware I had one. You, on the other hand...well, I trust you’ve seen your latest spike in popularity.”

“Why are you determined to destroy me?”

“You make it so easy,” he throws back. “This isn’t personal. I’m not out to get you, but I do run a vast entertainment empire. The people love you, and I love the people.”

“I’m going to sue you if you don’t knock it the fuck off,” I growl. “You know that, right?”

He pauses before asking, “Do you remember the last time we saw each other?”

“No.” Why would I want to?

“It was at your grandfather’s funeral—”

“Right. No wonder your slimy face isn’t my most vivid memory of that day.” I drag a hand over my face, swallowing a groan.