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“Will it show if Grant purchased one of these recently?” I hand him the tracking device. “My business partner found this on Kelsey’s car when he was assessing the damage. He said if he had to take a guess, it’s been there about a week.”
“This bastard is truly fucked in the head, isn’t he?” Ryan shakes his head as he inspects the device. “And to answer your question, yes. The report will show emails for all accounts attached to his name, detailed financial records, and any other illicit activities.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. Never have I hoped for someone to be a corrupt piece of shit before, but if that’s what it takes to get this asshole to back off, so be it.
“There’s something else I found before your tip.” Ryan clears his throat. “The District Attorney is retiring, and Grant is gunning for his job. If I had to take a guess, he wants Kelsey back so he can present himself as this loving, doting, family man.”
That thought makes me sick to my stomach. My head tips back in exasperation — I knew there was an ulterior motive to him trying to get her back, but I didn’t think that was the reason. “What should we do? Should I tell Kelsey?”
Ryan folds his hands in front of his face like he’s thinking hard. “I’d at least make her aware of it. As for what you should do — I think you’ve done everything you can to keep him away.”
“I was planning on taking her out of town for a little getaway this weekend. Do you think that’s a smart idea, or should we stay close by in case you find something?”
“Go somewhere that you’ll still have cell reception, in case we need to get ahold of you. But I think it’s a great idea for you guys to get out of town for a couple of days.”
“Thanks for everything, Ryan. I appreciate your help.”
As I walk out of the office toward my truck, I get the feeling I’m being watched. When I look around, though, I don’t see anything suspicious. I wonder if Grant was tracking the device and had me followed, thinking I was Kelsey. I need to get her out of here as soon as possible.
Chapter 47
“How does a cabin on Lake Geneva sound?” Joey asks as we leave the house. He planned a weekend getaway for us, but I can’t help but wonder what his underlying motive is.
“Joey, what’s the real reason for this trip?” I glare at him, looking for the answer he’s not sharing with me.
Joey sighs and rubs his hand over his jaw. “You have to promise me you won’t freak out, and trust that I’ve handled it.” He glances over at me and I nod slightly in response. “Frankie found a tracking device on your car when he towed it to the shop.”
My blood runs cold at the thought of someone knowing my whereabouts at all times is bone-chilling. I have no doubt in my mind that Grant was behind this. “Can you prove it was him?” I do my best to mask the panic in my voice, but I know I’m failing horribly.
“Ryan is working on it. He also filled me in on something he discovered recently. You might want to brace yourself for this one.” He lets out a huge sigh. “Grant is planning to run for District Attorney.”
I immediately start choking on my own saliva — there is no way he just said what I think he did. “I’m sorry, what did you just say?”
“I think that’s the reason he’s been trying to win you back. He probably thinks if he’s got you by his side, he’ll look better to the public.”
My stomach turns and winds into knots — I feel like I’m going to throw up. Grant’s not begging me to take him back because he misses me. He just misses the appearance that I provided him with. I knew that he was a pompous, self-centered asshole, but this is a new low — even for him. The thought of Grant having all of the power of the District Attorney is terrifying. I can only imagine the ways he would use it to make my life a living hell.
“Kelsey? Talk to me, Angel. What’s going through your mind right now?” Joey grabs my hand and kisses it in an attempt to calm me.
“I’m scared shitless, if I’m being honest.” I find myself looking out the back window of the truck to make sure we’re not being followed. I don’t see any suspicious looking cars, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t someone tailing us. Despite my promise not to freak out, I feel panic taking over my body. “Did you check your truck for a tracker?”
“Yes, I did — my truck was clean. I know this is a lot to take in, Kels, but try to take a breath and calm down. I planned this weekend for us to get away from it all. Hopefully, this will all be over soon, okay?”
Even as Joey tries to soothe me, I find myself shrinking into my own body. I feel smaller than I ever did when Grant and I were together. I hate that he is having this effect on me, but I can’t help but feel powerless. My stomach feels heavy as I repeatedly look behind us. I don’t know what I expect to find, but I don’t see anything out of the ordinary.
Somehow, I managed to fall asleep on the drive up to the cabin because I’m woken up by Joey closing his door. Before I can open my car door, Joey is already there, helping me out of the truck. My legs are wobbly as I step down onto the ground.
“Did you keep an eye on the rear view mirror while you drove? We weren’t followed up here, were we?” My head swivels around in a frenzied state.
“Kelsey.” Joey braces my shoulders. “Breathe with me. In…” He inhales, motioning for me to follow his movements. “Out…” He exhales with me, repeating the pattern until I feel my body begin to mellow. “I am not going to let anything happen to you, Angel — I promise. I will not leave your side the entire weekend.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be such a mess. I just… I fucking hate him, Joey. I don’t understand why he can’t find some Tinder twat to fixate on.”
“Because he’s a narcissist, and he can’t stand to see you happy if it’s not by his doing.” Joey pulls me into his chest, and I can hear his heart racing. “Come on, let’s go check out the cabin.”
I can’t help but take one last look around the land surrounding us, unable to shake the feeling that someone is watching us. I know that I’m probably being paranoid because of what Joey just told me. All I can do is hope and pray that his lawyer finds something fast.
When Joey and I walk into the cabin, I’m in awe of our surroundings. Much like the exterior, the walls consist of wooden logs. The common area is an open layout with no ceiling, and in the middle of the room is a staircase that I assume leads to the bedrooms. On one wall, there are a bunch of stuffed animal heads — a deer, a moose and an elk. I don’t know why, but I’ve always found those things creepy. I feel like they stare at you everywhere you move in the room.
