Page 100 of Savage Ends

Pat smiled.“I know a guy.”

“You know a guy?”

“Yeah, I do.”He turned on his heel, leaving Grant with no choice but to follow behind him.

“Are you going to tell me who this guy is?”Grant asked.

“Nope.”

They took the elevator and headed down toward the main floor.

“So, have you read any good books lately?”Grant asked.

“This is your attempt at small talk?”

“Aria tells me I need to get better at it.That I can’t use my sarcasm and wit the whole time.”He shrugged.“I can try, though, right?”

Pat was used to Grant’s overall bad attitude.Ever since he had gotten with Aria, it wasn’t quite as bad.Although, Bull and Grant’s relationship seemed to be the same, but with a little more brotherly love.

“I’ve not read any good books.”

“What about television shows?”

“How about if I see Aria, I tell her you’re making a lot of progress?”

Grant shrugged.“If you want to, but you also have to tell Lidia to keep her shit together, and you can’t tell her I’m trying.”

Lidia and Aria were the best of friends.

“I’ve not seen Lidia since Halloween night,” Pat said, with a frown.“Now that is strange.Usually, she is riding my ass to find her a date.Have you seen her?”

Grant paused.“You know what ...no, I don’t think I have.I mean, I think she stopped by the club to see Rusty, but no.”

Pat pulled out his cell phone and dialed her number.No answer.

“We’re making a stop at Lidia’s place before we go to your mystery guy,” Grant said.

Gone was the sarcasm and playful attitude.Pat finally got to see the grown-up side of Grant.The side that was worried for his woman’s best friend.If anything happened to Lidia, Aria would break down.

He knew the two had troubles from time to time.Usually because Aria believed the lies, rather than going to Lidia to talk to her.Pat didn’t know all the details, just that the two women were able to make peace, and were always the best of friends.

He made his way toward his new bike, which he was still breaking in, and as he climbed onto the machine, he missed his old one.Until he could rely on this one, he had to take it easy.

Grant was out of the hospital parking lot, and Pat joined him, taking off toward where Lidia lived.She resided in a small, nice neighborhood in a small house, which is why her last boyfriend attempted to move in.Pat wasn’t exactly sure what she did for a living, but from what he knew, she worked from home.

Pat rarely came here unless he had to drop her off.Lidia kept asking him in for coffee.At the time, he thought it was because she had developed a crush, but he had been so wrong.Lidia did not have a crush on him.She wanted to be his friend because he looked so lonely—her words, not his.

Pat wasn’t lonely, but after learning that she just wanted to be friends, he opened up to her.By opening up, he accepted coffee and listened to her talk.

Her car was parked in the driveway.There was no other sign of trouble.Her curtains appeared to be open.

“Please to fucking God, do not let her be dead.Please, let her just be busy,” Grant said.

Pat agreed.He didn’t want Lidia dead.She talked a lot and wanted to find Mr.Right, but that didn’t mean she should die.Yes, she was annoying, but she was such a lovely woman—sweet, kind, and always seemed to be there.

Pat went to the door, but Grant was already there, banging on the hard wood.Pat looked around the street, wondering if anyone was watching.

Lidia didn’t answer right away.Grant looked toward him.