Page 86 of Trailer Park Billionaire

“It’s not like that,” I try to deflect, grateful he likely won’t remember any of this in the morning. “I care about you too.”

“Well, duh. I’m very careable.” He hiccups. “And you do care about everyone. You care about me, you care about Dusty, you care about the kids. But this is different, isn’t it?”

He looks at me for a long second before I drop him onto his bed and help him remove his shoes.

“I can make it rhyme for you if that helps,” he adds, curling up under the blanket. “Listen: Ben’s a good man ‘cause he cares;cares about endangered polar bears, cares about stealing from the billionaires, and most of all he cares: about Helena’s cute butt and her pretty hairs. Ha!”

I stifle a laugh. It almost feels like I’m getting drunk just from inhaling the air around him. “Please never rhyme near me again,” I request and head back. “And sleep well, you bumbling idiot.”

I mean, he isn’t entirely wrong. I do care. In a friendly manner. As partners in crime should.

When I finally make it back outside, the passenger door is open—and Helena is gone. My heart drops instantly. My brain kicks into emergency mode. I scan the darkened surroundings, but only see shadows.

“Helena?” I call out, trying to keep my voice calm.

No answer.

I pace around the car, checking in it, under it, behind it. Nothing.

Did whoever gave her that black eye find her?

Were they waiting until she was alone, vulnerable?

Did I just hand them Helena on a silver platter?

Fuck.

“Helena!” I shout, louder this time.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

If they took her in a car, there’d be no way for me to track her.

Cameras.

The camera in my RV might have?—

The RV is still in the city.

FUCK.

Then I hear it—a scream from somewhere in the distance. Without thinking, I bolt toward the sound, my feet flying over the damp grass, my mind spiraling with terrible scenarios that could be happening to her.

I'll kill anyone who touches her.

The sound came from somewhere near a tree line, where the nearby cemetery lights barely reach. I run as fast as my legs will allow.

Then, finally, I see her—kneeling by a large oak tree, her back to me. She’s alone.

Relief floods my veins, quickly replaced by anger. Anger born of fear.

“Helena,” I growl, grabbing her arm and yanking her to her feet. “What the fuck did I tell you?”

She stumbles against me, eyes wide with surprise. “Ben! You're hurting me.”

I instantly loosen my grip but don't let go. “What the fuck did I tell you? Why the hell would you just leave? What if… I thought you were—” I can't even finish the sentence.

A slow, tipsy smile spreads across her face. “Aww, I’m sorry, Benpa. I didn’t mean to scare you. I promise I’ll let you know beforehand should I ever get kidnapped, alright?” She leans in, her breath warm on my face. “Now, I’m not complaining—I do like it when you're rough—but maybe not in front of the kids, hm?”