Page 85 of The Billionaire's Rival (Bad Boy Billionaires)

“He should have already been out of the city. I’ll figure it out and call you back.”

“Wait! I want to help look for him.”

“No, you need to stay where you are.”

“I can’t do that. If he’s hurt or….” No. No, I wasn’t going to think about the worst possibility. “I need to be there.”

“Not an option.” Carter ended the call.

Did he actually think I was going to sit here and wait to hear something? I might not have the training Ford had, but I wasn’t going to hide anymore. I was going to do whatever it took to see that he was safe.

I shoved my phone in my pocket and ran for the stairs. When I burst into the sitting room, Ford’s grandmother gasped in surprise.

“I need a car.” I blurted the words out like an idiot, but I couldn’t think knowing Ford was missing.

She actually brought her hand to her neck as if to clutch her pearls, but she was only wearing a gold chain. “I could hardly—”

“The men who were after us. They may have Ford. I’ve got to get back to the city.”

“What?”

“You heard me. Ford is in danger.”

“Have you called his friends? Have you called the police?”

“Julia, what’s going on?” Ford’s grandfather entered the room.

“Ford is missing,” I said.

“You said the men who were after you—”

“They’ve likely taken him.”

“How do you know he’s missing?” Senator Wainwright asked.

“He was supposed to be back here a while ago. I just spoke with Carter, and he said Ford left Montgomery’s over two and a half hours ago. He was supposed to come directly here. None of us can reach him by phone or text. I need to borrow a car. I need to be there.”

“You’re in no shape to drive,” his grandmother said.

She was right about that, but it didn’t mean I was going to stay here.

“I’ll get one of our security guards to drive you,” his grandfather said. “You shouldn’t go alone.”

“I don’t—”

“I insist,” he said.

He turned and I started to follow him, but Ford’s grandmother took hold of my arm.

“You took me by surprise,” she said. “I spoke with Ford last night and I….” She looked pained. “I didn’t mean to insult you at dinner.”

Was that her idea of an apology?

“Please be careful. Ford cares about you. Bring him home safe.”

At least she was trying “Yes ma’am. I will.”

She let go of my arm, and I followed Senator Wainwright out to the garage.

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