Page 64 of Not that Impressed
Still clutching Libby, I turn to Will. He stands between Grayson and his only way out of the room, considering we’re fifteen floors up. His expression says everything will work out.
With one arm still clutching Libby, I yank out my phone and dial my dad. “We found her,” I say in a rush. “Get the police down here.”
“Is she okay?” Dad asks.
“I think so. We’re still in the room. I’ll call you back in a minute.”
“I’ll make the call. Be careful,” he says and hangs up.
“Police?” Grayson laughs, but it’s forced. “I think you’re overreacting.”
Will growls, but I’m the one who jumps in. “Why couldn’t Libby charge her phone, Grayson?” I ask coldly.
He shakes his head and rolls his eyes. “She didn’t want to, right Libby?” he says, his voice full of good-natured annoyance at us. Oh, he is so slimy. “Your family was blowing up her phone. She just wanted to have a good time.”
I lose it. “You kidnapped her and you’re not getting out of it this time with lies about her or Will or me.”
Grayson’s eyes widen. “Whoa, Ellie.” He holds up his hands like I’m a feral animal, and if he keeps gaslighting me and Libby, that might be what he gets. “Libby came with me by choice.”
“SHE’S SEVENTEEN!” I shout at him. “It’s kidnapping no matter how you spin it.”
To my utter pleasure, Grayson’s face turns white. “I thought she was eighteen,” he sputters.
“Doesn’t matter what you believed,” Will says in a low, angry voice, staring Grayson down.
“Go stand behind Will,” I tell Libby softly. “I’ll get your bag, and we’ll get out of here. Everything’s going to be fine, I promise.” She nods into my shoulder then gets up and skirts the edge of the bed to get to Will. I glance around the room, spotting Libby’s suitcase. It hasn’t even been opened.
Clenching my teeth, I look back over at my sister. She’s wearing the terry-shorts from the picture Janelle sent me that Libby sent to her friend. Same with the lightweight hoodie and sandals. Her hair is in a messy bun, and her makeup is smudged and faded. I grab the suitcase and roll it toward the door.
“Let’s go,” I say through my teeth.
“You guys are overreacting.” Grayson splays out his hands.
I whirl on him. Will moves in behind me, arms folded. It almost makes me laugh that he thinks I’m going to go after Grayson. I mean, I would like to throw a few punches, but I’m not stupid. He’s smaller than Will, but he’s still a football player. Over six-foot and muscled.
And yet, he has my back if I do.
I fall for him a little more.
“You can explain that to the police, Grayson. Spin your little tales explaining why the minor you wouldn’t let contact her family was terrified when I arrived and jumped at the chance to leave you here. I’m sure they’ll be very entertained.” I turn around, ignoring any response he’s planning on making, and pull Libby’s suitcase roughly forward, then I reach for her hand. She takes it immediately and grips it.
I can’t help the words that keep bubbling up, so I turn to face him again. Grayson’s jaw is working, his eyes darting between me and Libby and Will. “One more thing,” I say in a low voice. I can’t manage the same dangerous tone Will had, but it’s chilling at least. “You’re not going to scare me into silence so you can tell lies or whatever you did to terrorize Anna. My family has already had our entire lives on display for years. I am going to eviscerate you, Grayson Hollis, and I have ten million followers ready to burn your world down with me.”
I wait just long enough to see his entire body tense and his expression turn angry. Then I turn and head to the door.
I throw it open, ushering Libby into the hall before turning to Will.
“I’m going to stay here until the police get here,” he says.
“Okay.” I don’t want to go anywhere without him, but I don’t want Grayson trying to sneak away either.
I let go of the suitcase to grip his arm. “Do not do anything to jeopardize your career, do you understand?” I glare up at him. “He’s not worth it.”
Will has the audacity to smirk at me. “I’ve spent my entirelife waiting for the exact right moment to strike, Ellie,” he says. “I know how to be patient.”
I reach up and pull him down to me, kissing his cheek. “I’m taking her to our room. Keep me updated.”
“You got it, boss.”
