Page 86 of Betrayal of a Billionaire
“I can’t think of anything else,” Grant said. “This is…worse than when you both were kidnapped. Then, I had some control. I could buy my way out of it. But this…”
His breathing turned ragged as he fought through the emotions of a missing child.
“I know this is scary,” she said, “but you can’t panic.”
The corner of his lips turned up before his features pinched again. “I’m pretty sure I can.”
“Grant, stop thinking of everything that can go wrong. I know it’s hard, but you have to trust Ally and Ethan.”
“Shouldn’t they be back by now?”
“Not if the rangers are onto something or if they are waiting on a lead from one of the deputies. Why don’t you sit down?”
“I don’t want to sit down. I want to…I can’t sit down. I should go out there and look for her.”
“No, that’s the worst thing that you can do. You don’t know this area. There’s a storm. The last thing we need is you lost, too.”
“Maybe it would be better if I was lost.”
She clicked her tongue. “Don’t say that. Come on, sit down. You’re overwhelmed.”
“Thank you, Julia,” Grant said as he sank into the chair again, their hands still clasped.
She eased into the chair next to him, taking his other hand in hers, about to say something she hoped would be reassuring when Alicia swept into the room.
“So, here’s the situation…”
“That doesn’t sound good,” Julia said, recognizing the tired tone in her sister’s voice.
“It’s not great.”
“What?” Grant asked, panic lacing his voice. “What is it? Did they find her? Is she hurt?”
“No,” Alicia said, “but with the wind, search and rescue can’t put the heli in the air. The rangers haven’t seen her. And on top of that, one of the trails to Hornet’s Ridge is washed out from the downpour, along with a ton of other issues all over the park.”
“So, what does that mean? What…they’re not going to look for her?” Grant asked.
“No,” Alicia said, “but…it’s going to be a little slow. This storm is causing issues all over town, so we’re a little shorthanded to get people out on this.”
“Is search and rescue sending anyone to Hornet’s Ridge?” Julia asked.
Alicia offered her a look that said everything she didn’t want to hear.
“Ally…” Julia began with a shake of her head.
Before Alicia could answer a massive boom resounded before the lights flickered. Outside the window a massive branch slammed to the ground as lightning cleaved it off from the tree, charring the bark.
The jolt brought home the reality of the danger Sierra was in while exposed to the elements. Julia swallowed hard as the storm raged outside.
Ethan appeared at the door, something clutched in his hand. He glanced at Alicia, then Grant. “We’ve had a…development. Are you able to identify this?”
He unfurled the bag he clutched, exposing its contents. Julia’s heart sank as she recognized Sierra’s phone, now cracked and dirty.
“That’s…Sierra’s,” Grant said, his voice sounded incredulous, but his haunted eyes as they stared at the item spoke volumes.
“Hiker found it on Hornet’s Ridge and turned it into the rangers. No sign of your daughter. But we do know wherever she is, she can’t contact us.”
Grant’s hands tightened around hers as the terror they both felt ramped up. Outside, the storm’s fury mirrored the turmoil within Julia. Each flash of lightning seemed to expose the raw fear and helplessness she felt, and the thunder echoed her growing dread. The relentless rain blurred the world outside, just as uncertainty clouded her thoughts.
