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Grant scowled at her. “I told you already. I’m not going to uproot my kid. We’ve found a good routine. We’re building a relationship and becoming family.”
She crossed her arms. “Then tell me who would be capable of doing this. Surely you have some idea.”
He shook his head. “No one here would do that.”
Her hands flung into the air. “People don’t do stuff like this with no reason. It’s either someone here, or it’s someone from where you used to live. Is there something in your past? Maybe someone is threatening you because they don’t want you to be happy.” Her thoughts shifted to the Mr. Shaw she’d found online. Her stomach twisted, telling her there was something there. She had no clue why he was keeping his past such a secret, but she needed to find out.
Grant didn’t look full of fury. In fact, he appeared to have retreated from her as if he didn’t want to delve into his past.
Bella took a step toward him. “You’re hiding something.” Maybe she’d been wrong. Maybe he was the same Shaw who had millions. “You can’t tell me you’re not. I can see it in your eyes.”
“What would I have to hide?”
She gestured to the RV. “You live in an RV that’s nicer than my apartment. What you spent on our first date… let’s just say I know you’re not making enough as a ranch hand to afford that. What’s really going on?”
He worked his jaw, unwilling to speak to her. This was probably it. If they couldn’t trust each other, then what was the point in exploring their relationship?
A sigh burst from her throat. “You know what? Fine. Don’t tell me. I can’t help you if you won’t let me.” She moved toward the door, but he jumped in front of her.
“Wait.”
“I’m done waiting, Grant.”
“It’s nothing illegal.”
She shook her head in defeat. “I thought we were getting close. But clearly, you don’t think I’m worth sharing anything with. Not as an officer of the law, and not as… something more.”
He held up his hands, desperation seeping into his eyes. “You can’t go.”
“My break is just about over. I have to leave.” She attempted to move past him again, but he blocked her once more.
“Fine. I’ll tell you.”
When he didn’t immediately start his story, she folded her arms again and lifted one brow. “You realize I can’t help you if you won’t tell me about everything in your past, right? Whoever is after you likely has a deep-seated hatred for you. The one thing you’ve said so far that makes sense is that you don’t think anyone here would be capable of it. Unfortunately, in my line of work, I find that it’s usually who we least expect.”
His jaw tightened and he looked away. “I don’t like sharing everything about myself because of my past with my family.”
“Everyone has a past, Grant. After all we’ve discussed, I thought you knew you could trust me. I’m not going to judge you.”
“You sure about that?”
She tilted her head, hating how his question stung so much. Maybe it was because she wanted to be more to him. Or maybe it was because there was a tiny part of her that knew there was a small amount of truth behind his question.
She couldn’t guarantee that she wouldn’t judge him. From since before she could remember, men had to prove themselves worthy of her good judgment, and Grant had already gone through the wringer. “Just tell me what’s going on so I can help you.”
Grant pointed to the table where they’d been eating. “You might want to sit.”
“I’m good.” She narrowed her eyes, not sure if she should fear the worst or if she should give him the benefit of the doubt.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Grant couldn’t believe it was coming out already. If there was one thing he had planned on keeping hidden from any relationship prospects, it was his wealth.
Money ruined everything.
Already he could feel her retreating from him. She didn’t want to open a dialogue between them; she wanted to push him into a corner and find every last secret he had. She was going to force him to be vulnerable with her when he wasn’t ready.
And he was going to do it—for Nick. If her knowing everything about him would help, then he’d lay it all out.
