“I unlocked the car so she could store her dad’s ashes. That was maybe…five minutes ago.”
“Did you see her come back in?”
Seth’s frown deepened. “No.”
Hoping like hell their girl wasn’t sobbing alone in the car, he and the PI hustled outside. There was no one in the parking lot. A glance through the windshield revealed the vehicle was empty. It sat unlocked without a trace of Abel’s photo or urn inside.
Beck peered up and down the sidewalk, panic biting into his belly.
“Let’s think this through.” Seth sounded like he was trying not to lose his shit. “Maybe she stopped in the ladies’ room.”
“Maybe.” But apprehension prickled the hairs on the back of Beck’s neck.
Though Heavenly internalized her emotions because she never wanted to burden anyone with her problems, he couldn’t picture her hiding in a stall to grieve at her own father’s funeral. But where else would she be?
Together, they rushed inside once more and homed in on Raine, who stood looking visibly pensive between Hammer and Liam.
“We can’t find Heavenly,” Beck muttered in low tones. “Can you check the ladies’ room?”
Raine pressed her lips together, apology written all over her face. “She’s not in the bathroom.”
The bottom fell out of Beck’s gut.
“Where is she?” Seth demanded, not caring how damn loudly he asked.
Everyone in the chapel turned their way.
“Don’t freak,” Raine began softly. “She left to spread her dad’s ashes…and figure out a few things.”
Heavenly had left? Without a word? “In Wisconsin? We could have done that with her.”
“Hell, we could have done that for her.” Seth gnashed his teeth together.
“Guys, you can’t. Heavenly needs to do this alone. Yesterday, it was obvious she needed time alone to decide what’s next. So I helped her.”
His heart rate tripled. What’s next? What the fuck did that mean?
But he feared he already knew.
“Are you shitting me?” Seth growled.
“She has to process everything that’s happened. A road trip to Wisconsin will give her time to do that.”
“She not traveling across the country alone,” Seth snarled. “Do you know what horrific things could happen?”
Of course Raine knew the dangers that could befall a woman. Hell, she’d been forced to kill her own father to stay alive. But had she stopped to think about the ramifications of sending Heavenly off without any means of protecting herself?
“Gas stations, rest areas, motels—all havens for predators.” Seth continued the litany. “And don’t get me started on what happens if the car breaks down on the side of the goddamn road.”
Raine’s expression softened. “If she does, she’ll call me. But Heavenly will be fine. She has a plan. She’s promised to check in with me every day. And when I hear from her, I’ll let you know how she’s doing.”
“Son of a bitch,” Beck growled. “She left without a cent in her wallet and—”
“No,” Raine assured. “I made sure she had clothes, cash, and a burner phone. She’s in my car. It’s got a full tank, a fresh oil change, and new tires.”
Beck raked a hand through his hair. Heavenly hadn’t merely left the funeral at the spur of the moment because she’d been overwhelmed and needed a few hours to herself. Her departure had been fucking premeditated.
“Lovely, you should have talked to one of us first,” Liam scolded.