Page 159 of The Elusive Billionaire

The truth is, Grey kept his word, and for the most part, our security is out of sight, and they’ve allowed me to move freely about the fairgrounds.

I should feel safe, but internally, I’m a mess. The local police have listed Kristen as a person of interest but haven’t been able to locate her, and Riley is still…somewhere. My brain glazed over when Grey was trying to explain why the FBI was involved in locating Kristen. Something about insider secrets and corporate blah, blah, blah.

I just want life to go back to normal.

Well, maybe not completely normal. The Grey not hating me part is pretty great, but waiting for the next shoe to drop is exhausting.

“There you are.” Madi waves with both hands, and it sways her entire body. Her baby bump has become her new center of gravity.

That twinge in my chest flares to life, watching her. Do all expectant mothers naturally hold their belly, or is that learned behavior?

It’s probably because they have to pee all the time. If I stick with this line of thinking, perhaps the butterfly in my chest will settle.

“Are you ready? You look gorgeous.” She whirls her finger, and I oblige by spinning in place so the thin fabric of my sundress swirls around my knees. Not that she’s paying attention while she wraps Clover in a hug.

“I don’t know if I’m ready, but I’m here.”

“I’m so glad you went with the red dress. It looks hot. Look at your boobs.” She reaches in as though she’s going to weigh them, and I finally laugh. They do look great in this dress—a square neckline always flatters. “Hey, Carson.”

My new bodyguard groans a begrudging hello.

“Hi, Rip. Hi, Chief.” Madi continues making the rounds until she’s hugged everyone.

“Miss Monroe,” Carson says under his breath.

“I know, I know. They’re not supposed to talk to you. They’ve all been warned, but have you ever been in a small town, Carson? I’m doing the best I can, okay?”

He smirks, but he never takes his eyes off the crowd. “Yes, ma’am. I grew up in a tiny town called Burke Hollow, so I know them well.”

Inwardly, I cringe. When did I hit the ma’am era? “Then can ya cut me some slack?”

“I’ll see what I can do. Are you ready to head over to the main stage?” he asks.

“Elle’s meeting us over there,” Madi says. “The guys are already warming up.”

“Warming… Who’s warming up?”

“Grey’s getting some last-minute pointers from, well, from everyone.” Clover giggles. Glancing down, I see she’s already gotten into Blissy’s Happy Juice.

Blissy gets a special license to sell alcohol once a year, and every year we say we need to regulate it better. Happy Juice is a town-wide hangover waiting to happen.

“Let’s go put Grey out of his misery.”

“Firefly green,” Carson says into an earpiece I can’t see.

Rolling my eyes because this is over the top, I step forward, and I swear two more guys move with us.

Taking three more steps, I side-eye the movements and then stop suddenly.

The human wall puts on the brakes, but when I peer around at our surroundings, strangers are in conversations, people are laughing, kids crying, bells ringing.

I’m losing my mind—paranoia has never been so visceral before.

“Everything okay, Miss Monroe?” Carson is half a step behind me.

“Call me Savvy, Carson. Everything’s fine.” I hook Madi’s arm on my right and Clover’s on my left and angle us toward the main stage. I will not allow Riley to ruin one more thing for me.

“Carson,” I call over my shoulder.