Delilah picked up before it rang twice.
“Matt?” She sounded frantic, he’d give her that.
“What do you want from me?”
“I don’t know what to do about Justin. I got back from Michigan a few hours ago and I think he’s been gone since I left. The police won’t even begin looking for him until forty-eight hours have passed and even then they won’t try. He’s been in trouble before and they just…they won’t try.”
Matt said nothing. His gaze found Grace again and she was looking at him as if she knew their little bubble was about to burst. She started walking toward him, joined by a concerned looking Betty Jo, but it was too late. He knew that now. He was shutting down and damned if he could do anything about it.
Matt Hawkins had survived most of his life by closing himself off. He had a feeling if he was going to survive what was headed his way, he was going to have to go deep. Disappear entirely. Who knew if he’d find his way back? Who knew if there would be anyone left who gave a damn?
“This is my cell. Text me your address.”
He slipped the phone into his pocket and waited. He didn’t give either woman a chance to say anything.
“I’m leaving.”
Betty Jo didn’t seem surprised, but Grace sure as hell did.
“What? Now?” Grace asked, eyes wide and searching.
“I have to fly to Arizona. I’ve got a situation. Something that I need to look after.”
Grace took the last few steps she needed to get close to him. “Does this have to do with Delilah?”
She was smart. His girl. He nodded. “Yeah, it does.”
“Who is she?”
He could lie. Lord knows he’d done it in the past. But what was the point in hiding the truth anymore?
“She married my dad when I was thirteen.”
Grace glanced at Betty and then turned back to him. “Why are you going to Arizona? Why now? I mean, can’t it wait?”
“No. It can’t. My father is dying. Might not last the night.”
“Oh, Matt.” She reached for him, her warm hands on either side of his face. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. I…let me come with you.” Her voice caught. “I want to come with you.”
Very carefully he peeled her hands from him and stood back, face expressionless and cold. Damn, but it felt as if the whole of northern Canada had seeped into his bones.
“Matt, what’s going on?” Betty Jo’s eyes were shiny with unshed tears and she linked her hand through Grace’s. “What has Delilah done?”
He needed to say his piece and get on with it. “Delilah’s son has gone missing and she needs my help.”
Betty Jo frowned. “That’s what the police are there for.”
“I can’t leave it up to the police. I need to do this.”
“I get that,” Betty replied. “But Matt, you and I both know how poisonous Delilah is. She’s using your brother to get to you.”
“I’m sure she is, but Justin. He’s just a kid.” He listened to his words. Took their meaning to heart. He’d resented the boy for so long that he’d never once considered the fact that he was blood. Matt’s blood.
“I’m sorry. I gotta go.” He nodded to Betty. “You’ll look after her?”
“Matt.” Grace yanked away from Betty, and threw herself at him. Her hands clutched at his jacket. “I want to help you. I want to be there for you. Why won’t you let me?”
For one crazy second, he nearly let her. But then reality hit him square in the chest and he blew out a long breath, shaking his head. He gently removed her cold hands. No was was his poisonous family getting anywhere near her.