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“That depends. Are you going to hurt one of the women who helps us out at the fucking veterinary practice?”
“Is that what you’re worried about? Me hurting Aria?”
“You hurting the fucking reputation of the club. If you’re doing this for one of your bullshit pranks, Grant, then don’t bother. Leave the young woman alone.”
“It’s not a prank,” Grant said, but instead of listening to any advice his brother might have, he hung up the phone.
He was done. Finished. Over.
Throwing his cell phone onto the main reception desk, he dropped down onto his seat, and Wanda, clearly sensing his upset, moved toward him, resting her chin on his knee.
“Hey, girl, how are you feeling?” he asked, rubbing at her head. “Don’t look at me with those judgey eyes. They’re not wrong. Throughout high school I bullied Maddie because of her weight.”
He didn’t have any excuse for the shit he called her either, and he’d made her life hell. Even when she came to work for Bull, like his brother said, he’d continued to call her “Chunk,” as well as tease his brother about his choice in women.
“I’m a fucking asshole.”
Aria was … she was … he couldn’t get her out of his fucking mind. She was the only person right now that made sense in this world.
He didn’t understand why he was suspended, not really.
Running a hand down his face, he kept his other hand on top of his dog’s head. Grant leaned back and looked up at the ceiling, thinking about Aria and then about the two missing dogs. The club hadn’t called in Dylan, the local sheriff. They never liked to include Dylan, but what if that in itself was a clue? Someone had been able to get through their security, tell Hellen they were sent by the club, and remove two dogs.
He sat up, still stroking Wanda’s head. Sometimes sudden movement startled her, and he didn’t want her afraid of him.
Picking up his cell phone, he dialed the sheriff’s office and waited. He continued to wait until Grace’s gruff voice picked up.
“What the fuck do you want?” she asked.
He couldn’t help but smile. Grace was an old woman, and at times had everyone believing she was even alive at the dawn of time, the way she talked. Most people were afraid of her and she had the ability to instill the fear of death into most. Grant found her adorable. Growing up with an asshole as a father made people like Grace seem adorable to him.
“Grace, it’s so good to hear your voice.”
“Grant Reynolds, what did you do?”
“Ah, it’s not what I did this time, but what someone else did. Is Dylan around?” he asked.
“Yeah, he’s in his office, causing all kinds of paperwork I’ll have to fucking deal with.”
Grant snorted. Poor Dylan. The man didn’t have the heart to fire her. She was a big help in keeping kids from reoffending, and did more than her reception job. He didn’t know if Dylan would willingly listen to him, but it was worth a shot.
Chapter Six
Aria still felt like shit. She couldn’t believe she had allowed herself to get so drunk. This was not like her, but being around Grant, at times, made her feel reckless. Why did she try to be nice and perfect all the time? It wasn’t like her mother ever cared, not really.
On her way to the gym she thought about Grant, about his lips, about how it would feel going all the way with him.
Stop doing that.
She gritted her teeth and was so focused on the ground, she didn’t see who was coming toward her.
“Whoa, Aria, stop.”
She crashed into her once best friend, Lidia, sending the other woman to the ground.
“Crap, I’m so sorry,” she said, immediately grabbing her hand and helping her to her feet.
Lidia chuckled. “It’s okay. I saw you down the street and I’ve been trying to get your attention. You were so far away.”
