Grant's POV
"Thank ya, ma'am. Ya'll have a great day now, ya hear?" I said to my new client. I love bringin' on new clients. More clients means more referrals, more business, and more mouths I can feed. It's more than just the money for me—it's about supportin' guys who've had a rough start, like I did.
Now, don't get me wrong, my momma and daddy are amazin', couldn't ask for better parents. But I was a dumbass when I was younger. Made some real stupid choices and landed myself in a whole heap of legal trouble—meanin' my ass went to jail. Bein' a felon ain't no walk in the park. They tell ya to straighten up when you get out, but then they slap you with all these limitations. Hell, in some states, I can't even buy a house. After tryin' to work for others and hittin' walls, I figured I'd start my own construction company. Ain't looked back since. It's been slow and tough, but damn, it's rewardin'. And now, with my woman by my side, I feel unstoppable.
I hopped into my truck, fired it up, and headed off to see my last client 'fore swingin' by the office to pick up Flower. RING. "Yo," I answered.
"Hey, bud. Phoenix isn't answering her phone, and I really need to talk to her right now. Can you pass her your phone?" Trent's voice came through the line.
"Man, I'm on my way to another site. Daisy called earlier and asked me to drop Flower off at the office to help with a lil' accountin' problem. I bet she left her phone in my office. Let me give Daisy a call, and I'll have Flower ring ya," I said, hangin' up.
RING, RING, RING. "You've reached Daisy's desk. I'm away at the moment..." I hung up and dialed again, this time paging all the extensions.
"Yo, anyone in the office, gimme a call back on my cell, would ya?" I said into the speaker.
RING, RING. "This is Grant," I answered.
"Hey Grant, whatcha need, buddy?" Tristan replied. He's one of my old buds from the oil field. Came to me 'bout two years ago after rehab and has been a solid guy ever since.
"Can ya go up to Daisy's desk and ask Michelle to give me a call, chief?" I asked.
"Actually, they left about an hour ago. Maybe 45 minutes. I haven't seen 'em since," he said.
"Aight. Thanks, man." I hung up.
RING, RING. "She ain't there. Maybe they went out to grab lunch or somethin'," I said as soon as Trent picked up.
"No, man. Somethin' doesn't feel right. Mind if I swing by and check the cameras?" he asked.
"Sure, man. Let me know if ya find somethin' I should be worried 'bout," I told him, still thinkin' it was just Michelle bein' hungry. I mean, don't ever keep that woman from food. I learned that the hard way when she slapped my hand for takin' one of her fries. Should've known better than to drop her off without stoppin' for food first. I grinned, thinkin' 'bout my lil' Flower. Damn, that girl's got me wrapped 'round her pinky.
Trent's POV
I arrived at Grant's building and made my way straight to the security desk. I started explaining who I was when Cal, the security manager, walked up mid-conversation.
"Mr. McCormick, nice to see ya again," he said, extending his hand.
"Hey, Cal. I need to ask a few questions if you have a minute," I replied.
"Of course. What do ya need?" he asked.
"Grant's girlfriend, Ms. Garcia, she came by earlier, right?" I asked carefully, keeping our private life just that—private. No need for anyone else to know the details of our arrangement.
"Oh yeah, Michelle. She's real sweet," the security guard at the monitor chimed in. His familiarity with her got under my skin, but I shoved it down for now.
"She is. Did you see her come in or leave?" I asked, staying focused.
"Yeah, yeah. She came in 'round 12:30. I noticed 'cause she always says hi to me and sometimes brings back cake or somethin'. Ain't like the other stuck-up ladies that come through here," he said, clearly fond of her. I nodded, waiting for him to get to the point. "She went up to Mr. Daily's office. Think she left 'round 1:00. Surprised me she left so quick, figured they were headin' out for lunch."
"Ms. Farmer with her?" I asked.
"Yeah, Daisy. They left together," he confirmed.
I turned to Cal. "Cal, I need to see those cameras. Mind if I take a look?"
"Yeah, of course, Mr. McCormick. All clients have access to the lobby cams. I'll get ya logged in," Cal replied, motioning me to the desk. Even though this was Grant's business, we all had legal rights to our companies, just in case one of us needed to step in. Came in handy back when Grant was strung out on meth—Sammy and I had to take control to stop him from losing everything though he hasn't started his company at that point.
I sat down and rolled the footage back. There she was—my Phoenix. As soon as her face appeared on the screen, I slowed it down. She looked happy coming in, wave and all. Made my chest warm, seeing her like that after all she'd been through. I watched her head to the elevator. Then I fast-forwarded to about one o'clock.
A redhead emerged first. Then Phoenix. Walking arm in arm. Something was off. My girl's touchy-feely, sure, but only with the people she loves. Always stroking Tony's arm or holding onto me, Grant, or Sammy. But not strangers. Never like this. Daisy was holding her too close, too tight. Phoenix looked stiff, tense. And every now and then, she flinched. I leaned in.
"Shit," I muttered. Daisy had somethin' pressed into Phoenix's side, probably a knife.
"Cal, call the cops. Ask for Detective Carter. Tell her Trent McCormick says Michelle Garcia's been kidnapped," I barked, and Cal stared at me for a second before jumping to it.
RING, RING. "Yo," Grant answered.
"Phoenix is gone," I said, the words hitting me harder than I expected.
"What?" Grant barked back.
"She's been taken. Daisy's got her," I forced out, trying not to sound desperate.
"What the fuck! What d'ya need me to do?" Grant growled, and I could already tell he was on the verge of losing it.
"Go to Daisy's place. If she isn't there, head to the cabin. Call Sammy. I'm gathering my team and comin' after you," I said, my voice tight with determination.
"Aight," he said and hung up.
I clenched my fists. We didn't have much to go on, but I swore to myself I'd bring her back. And when I did, the people who took her would wish they'd never been born.
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At least they know she's gone at this point. What do you think will happen to her?
YOU ARE READING
To Breathe Again
Romance"I want to capture this moment and save it forever." He looked at her, watching the way her cheeks flushed a deep red as he brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "You're breathtaking. You have no idea how gorgeous you are, do you?" His voice was...
