Page 9 of The Billionaire and His Forever

I try to match his laugh, but it falls flat. “I’ll just bet. God, I’ve been so worried. I tried calling and they wouldn’t let me talk to you. I’m losing my mind.”

“I’m okay,” he promises. “How’s Jude?”

“We’re keeping her busy.” I swallow down the lump in my throat. “She thinks you’re on a business trip, but she still asks about you every five minutes. She’s trying to be brave.”

He takes a deep breath, and I can only imagine the guilt he’s feeling.

“I’ll bet she is. My little warrior. Just keep doing what you’re doing and don’t let her know otherwise. I don’t want to scare her. She’s got enough to worry about already.”

“Of course. The whole staff is taking excellent care of her, I promise.”

“That’s my girl.” Hearing him call me his sends a shock of warmth through me, but it quickly turns back to tensions and nerves. I hate this so much. He should be here, home with us. Before I can stop myself, I’m choking back sobs.

“Shh. Listen to me, Abbie. It’s going to be okay,” Graham soothes. “Your father came to see me and he’s going to make sure you’re taken care of. The other thing is…the police are probably going to interview you soon. I need you to do something for me.”

“Anything.”

“When they ask you about the fight at Piatto, tell them the truth—how we fought like that often, the both of us, and even when it got ugly, the threats were empty ones. You’ve heard enough arguing between us, so don’t feel like you have to hold back on the details. Okay?”

“Okay. I can do that.”

“Good.” He clears his throat and takes a pause. “I need to go, but there’s one more thing. Most of all, just…just remember that I love you. No matter what happens. I’ll love you until the day I die, Abbie Montgomery.”

“Graham.” My voice cracks, and my tears have returned in full force. “I love you so much. You’ll be out of there soon, and back with us where you belong. I love you.”

“I love you. Give my love to Jude.”

And then he’s gone. I sink down on the steps and dig my palms into my eyes, trying to stop the flow of tears. I have to get it together for Jude. Go back in there and act like everything’s fine, like the world isn’t falling apart.

Suddenly I hear gravel crunching, and I look up to watch as a black car comes up the drive. The car slides to a stop in front of the porch, and a driver slides out to open the back door.

My father steps out, sunglasses hiding his expression, dressed in a nice suit despite the heat. As he waltzes toward me, I stand up and swipe at my wet cheeks, trying to keep the panic off my face. Is he here to take me away?

“Dad? What are you doing here?”

“Sweetheart.” He embraces me, but I stay stiff in his arms. He never calls me that. It’s purely for show, though I’m not sure who this performance is for. “Are you okay?”

“Obviously not.” I pull away with a glare. “Why are you here?”

“Graham sent me.”

That’s when it hits me—Graham just told me that my dad was going to make sure I was taken care of. I had assumed that meant…well, I guess I didn’t really have time to even think about it. But I definitely didn’t expect him to just show up here on the doorstep.

I shake my head. “What for? I don’t know what you can do from here, Dad. I thought you were going to get ahold of Bowen and help with all the legal stuff.”

He nods. “I’ve been in touch with the team at Bowen and Ellis, though Elise is still out of town. But Graham asked me to stay here for a few days and keep an eye on things, so that’s what I’m going to do.”

My mind is boggled. Did Graham seriously ask my dad to…babysit? To nanny the nanny? What the hell is going on?

Just then, the driver hands my dad his overnight bag and fancy leather laptop case. Dad slips him a tip and then gestures for us to walk inside.

“How’s Jude?” he asks, setting his things down in the foyer.

“She’s holding up, I guess. We’re keeping her busy.”

“Good. Keep doing your job. That’s the most important thing you can do right now.”

“Wait. How did Graham seem, when you saw him? Is he…okay?” I ask, whispering.

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