Page 178 of The Elusive Billionaire
Unfortunately for him, I only have enough room to handle my own fucked-up emotions over the situation right now.
“Do it.” I laugh, then lean down and kiss Savvy’s hand. “Oh, Monroe. You’re going to really hate me when you wake up, but I promise, we’ll do another wedding any way you want. Whatever you want.” Turning back to Roman, I nod. “Get it done, and make sure it can’t be contested.”
“It won’t be,” Madi says. “You had lots of witnesses at your wedding last month. Me, Clover, and Elle were all in the wedding party. Braxton, Cian, Sage, and even Roman were all there too.”
Something cracks in my chest then. When I look to Braxton, he nods in agreement, and a tear settles in the corner of my eye.
“I’ll do it now,” Roman says, standing.
“Any word on Kristen?” I ask, when he’s almost to the door.
He turns back to me. “Her credit card was used at a Hilton this morning in Rhode Island. I have a team en route now.”
That bitch has eluded us for weeks. It’s not enough to have Riley back in prison for attempted murder. I want to destroy everyone associated with him, and Kristen is the top of my list.
Madi’s gaze darts between Roman and Brax. “You have to tell him.”
“Tell me what?” My vision is blurry again, but I prepare myself for another hit.
Roman stands on the threshold, obviously warring with something in his mind.
“From what we’ve uncovered, it seems as though Kristen was scheduled for an arranged marriage with Riley right before he went to prison last time,” he says with a deep sigh. “Their families wouldn’t let her out of it, even though he would be behind bars for ten plus years. My best guess is she’s been fucked up by his decisions too, but I’ll make sure to get answers out of her before we turn her over to authorities.”
He faces the bed. “Savvy,” he says gently. “If you can hear us, I hope you’ll wake up soon. Grey needs you.” He walks out the door without a glance back.
He’s not wrong. I do need her.
The room falls into an uncomfortable silence, and a sense of foreboding washes over me.
“What?” I ask when the unease threatens what’s left of my patience.
“Do you think, maybe,” Braxton is hesitating, and I brace for impact. “Grey, it’s been two weeks. Do you think that maybe we need to prepare for the possibility that she won’t wake up?”
My fist clenches the front of his shirt. I don’t even remember moving. “That’s not going to happen, and if that’s your line of thinking, you can leave and not bother coming back.”
“We’re not your enemy, Grey.” The sadness in Madi’s words claws at my chest—it’s an infestation of fire ants, and I want to douse myself in boiling water to get rid of the sensation.
“So that’s it?” I hurl the words in accusation. “You’ve just given up?”
“That’s not what we’re saying.” Braxton keeps his tone light and his body language open and relaxed. Who knew he was such a showman.
“It sure as fuck sounds like it to me.”
“I’m just saying we’ve spoken to the doctors?—”
“Shut up.” It bellows out of me as though I’m possessed. “Just shut up or get the hell out of here. Savvy needs positivityand love. If you can’t give her those two things, just those two things.” A sob chokes me up. “Then, then get out.”
“We love her too, Grey.” Madi’s shaking, but my emotional intelligence is reserved for Savvy. Braxton will comfort her later. “Okay. Okay, Grey. You’re right. Maybe I’ll just sit and watch her favorite movie with her. How’s that? Maybe you could shower, or get something to eat while it’s on?”
“How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days?” I ask.
Madi’s smile is fragile and close to breaking, but she nods with watery eyes.
“I’m sure Savvy will appreciate that, but I’m not going anywhere. I only shower at five in the morning when a nurse is around because Savvy would never wake up that early.”
Madi’s jaw drops, and she stares from me to Braxton.
“Have you slept, Grey?” Braxton’s frowning, and he’s wearing the same expression he wore when Sage broke his collarbone in the fourth grade.
