Page 49 of High Reward

Grace is blowing up my phone, and I’m ignoring it like a coward.

Owen holds up his phone for me to see. “Grace is calling me. Do I answer?”

I close my eyes and look at the ceiling of the car. “Worrying her is the last thing I want to do, but she’s probably panicking since we should have been home hours ago.”

“I’ll talk to her,” Owen says.

He presses accept on the call.

“Hey pet, what’s up?”

He’s quiet as he listens, and the guilt gnawing at my stomach grows further.

“He’s safe. That’s all I can tell you right now. We’ll call you as soon as we know more.”

I can hear the higher pitch in her tone as she pleads with him for more details.

“Grace, I know you love him, and you’re worried about Lili. But you need to let us do our jobs.”

I want to take the phone from Owen and reassure her, but I know it’s better not to.

“How about if I have him message you?”

More silence.

“Good girl. I’ll have him back to you before bedtime.”

Owen ends the call and looks at me. “Text her. Tell her you’re fine. Tell her you love her.”

I’m not ready to tell her that. Even though it’s true. If I tell her, it might jinx things.

But I say none of that as I pull up my text thread with Grace and type.

Victor:I’m fine, Grace. Write your paper and eat something.

Grace:What about Lili?

Victor:Paper Grace. Now.

Grace:If she’s in danger just tell me. I’m a big girl. Please? I just want the truth.

Victor:Phineas has her. That’s all I can tell you right now.

My phone rings and I’m tempted to hit Ignore.

“Grace, now isn’t the time for you to yell at me.”

“That’s not why I’m calling. Please bring her home,” she whispers.

“I’m doing my best, butterfly. Please focus on something else right now. Sitting at home worrying about her isn’t doing any of us any good.” It’s hypocritical of me. There’s no way I would be able to focus on anything but Lili if I were at home in Grace’s shoes.

“I’m trying. I just… Victor, I love you. And I love Lili. Please bring both of you home safely.”

“We’re working on it.” Hunter stops the car, and I’m saved from responding to her confession of love. “I have to go, Mariposa. Paper. Write it.”

I end the call before she can answer, and Hunter shuts the engine off.

“Samuel’s team says it’s best for us to walk the rest of the way.”