Page 113 of The Merger

“Then drive safe.”

“I will.”

The line disconnects and I try to focus on the road as my father’s words swirl in my mind. He did this to me on repeat throughout my life and I kept going back for more. I guess sometimes you have to learn things for yourself, and I certainly have tonight.

“Protect your peace, Carys.”

I smile sadly. “I am, Mom. I am.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Gannon

“Hello?”

I recheck my mirrors. “Hey, Nick. It’s Gannon Brewer.”

“Hey, Gannon,” he says. “What can I do for you?”

“Kent Johnson. Daughter named Carys. He lives in Nashville now. Wife’s name is Aurora.”

“Okay.” A keyboard clatters in the background. “What do you need?”

“I want to know everything about him.”

“There are levels ofeverything.”

My teeth grind together. “I want to know what color his shit was this morning, Nick.”

“Got it. Timeline?”

“Yesterday.”

“I’ll call you back.”

I end the call and sigh.She should’ve been home by now.

My mind launches into a hundred what-if scenarios, ranging from a simple change in plans to a situation where that fucking car stops in the middle of the road, and someone plows into her from behind and hurts her.

I’m going to lose my mind.

I climb out of my SUV, clutching my phone in case she calls, and then pace the length of her porch. Time crawls. The sound of every car makes me jump. But the squeal of the Gremlin is like no other, and my heart races when I hear it before it comes around the corner.

Thank you, God.

My breath stalls until her eyes lift to mine.

She flings open the door and runs across her lawn, throwing herself into my arms. I pull her against me, hoping the contact will stop my heart from cracking down the center from the sound of her cries.

“What the fuck happened?” I ask, kissing the top of her head.

“Why are you here?”

I chuckle in disbelief, holding her even tighter. “Because you need me.”

“But your meeting with the attorneys …”

“What about it?”