Page 145 of The Elusive Billionaire

Another tear. Another stabbing pain through my heart.

“Don’t cry. Please, Sav.”

“You don’t understand.”

Chief Rigsby’s camera flashes.

“Then explain, and I’ll fix whatever’s causing them.”

She smiles. It’s wobbly and full of overwhelming emotion. “It’s just that I…I realized something.”

“What’s that?”

She lowers her shirtsleeve when Rigsby sits back in front of us, and I immediately take her hand in mine again.

“You love me. Despite our history, regardless of my past, in spite of the chaos I bring to your life. You love me.”

My lungs expel all the trapped air in a loud whoosh that blows her hair around her face. “Finally. I’ve been telling you that for weeks now. I’m glad you’re finally listening.”

“Savvy,” Chief Rigsby interrupts. Again. “Are there any more marks we should photograph?”

My stomach drops into my feet.

“No.”

Thank God. If there were, I’d end up in jail for murdering the piece of shit.

“Okay,” he says. “Well, the good news is that I ran Riley’s name on the way over. He’s missed a check-in with his parole officer, so there’s a warrant out for his arrest already.”

“What?” All the practiced calm I’ve been faking for Savvy’s sake goes up in flames.

“It appears that no one knew he left Vegas or where he went,” Chief Rigsby says. “I’ve alerted his parole officer of his whereabouts, and we’ve called in a local bounty hunter. But the bad news is now he’ll know we’re looking for him. When suspects are backed into a corner, they can become more dangerous.” He says this last part to me, but I’ve already read between the lines.

“You think he’s going to attack Savvy again.”

Chief Rigsby is the youngest chief of police Happiness has ever had, but he’s proven himself time and time again to be reliable and trustworthy. He’s a helper, and he takes care of his residents.

He drags a hand through his hair. “I do. I’m bringing in some help from Wayfair County since I’m working with a skeleton crew due to the hurricane. We’ll do everything we can to keep you safe.”

“I have the Harringtons coming in a few days,” I say, but he stares at me blankly. “They own Harrington Bank and Trust as well as one of the best security companies in the world. I’ll call and see if they can come sooner. I want Savvy protected at all costs.”

I screwed up by not demanding their attention immediately.

“Grey.” Savvy squeezes my hand, and I hold hers firm because this is not a negotiation.

“I’ve heard of them.” The way Rigsby says it makes me believe he knows of their uncle, but the brothers are nothing like that piece of shit.

I’ve done my research, contacted colleagues, and most importantly, they’ve proved themselves to me with the information they’ve shared freely since the golf tournament.

“Having more eyes on her is probably a good idea,” he finally concedes.

“I’m right here,” Savvy says, finding some of the sass she’s known for.

“We know,” I say. “But please, for me, don’t fight me on this. If Riley is out here with a vendetta and forgoing the stipulations of release, it means he’s detached from reality. He isn’t thinking about the consequences of his actions. I need all the help I can get to keep you safe until he’s back behind bars.”

The bell over the door jingles again, and we all look up to see an ashen-faced Bethany. Jesus Christ. At least she isn’t dressed like bargain-bin Barbie today. The cutoff shorts and red Coca-Cola T-shirt feel more authentic.

“What is she doing here?” Madi growls, surprising me.